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After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

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Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#71

Post by dehrmann »

jmward01 wrote: post #50

The obvious methodology at work here is 'fire everyone then hopefully re-hire only what is blindingly obviously needed'. There are many, many problems with this approach in a business setting but even more from a governmental setting. The first, and what should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of empathy, is that these are real people who's lives are being toyed with. It isn't like you are trying out a new business…

The other issue is if you try to bring someone back who doesn't need the job, they have extraordinary leverage in negotiating their new contract.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#72

Post by euroderf »

sollewitt wrote: post #57
jmward01 wrote: post #50

The obvious methodology at work here is 'fire everyone then hopefully re-hire only what is blindingly obviously needed'. There are many, many problems with this approach in a business setting but even more from a governmental setting. The first, and what should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of empathy, is that these are real people who's lives are being toyed with. It isn't like you are trying out a new business…

A beloved Terry Pratchett character defines evil as when you treat people like things.

Well then, that's pretty much an indictment of capitalism.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#73

Post by eggnet »

stikit wrote: post #65
jmward01 wrote: post #50

The obvious methodology at work here is 'fire everyone then hopefully re-hire only what is blindingly obviously needed'. There are many, many problems with this approach in a business setting but even more from a governmental setting. The first, and what should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of empathy, is that these are real people who's lives are being toyed with. It isn't like you are trying out a new business…

it works both ways. People quit without any notice all the time, and you can be fired for no reason and without notice. It’s not inhumane, it’s life. Your employer doesn’t owe you a job for life, and you don’t commit to your job for life.

But we aren’t talking about firing one person. There are macro effects to firing people at this scale and shutting down whole departments. Not to mention the fact that it is illegal.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#75

Post by Freedom2 »

foobarbecue wrote: post #66
jmward01 wrote: post #50

The obvious methodology at work here is 'fire everyone then hopefully re-hire only what is blindingly obviously needed'. There are many, many problems with this approach in a business setting but even more from a governmental setting. The first, and what should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of empathy, is that these are real people who's lives are being toyed with. It isn't like you are trying out a new business…

I think it's worse than that. Appears to me that the methodology here is intentional sabotage of the government. When your platform is explictly anti-government (also, explictly anti-empathy, and implictly anti-expert), and someone hands you the government, you smash it, along with the lives of all those losers who dedicated themselves to public service.

Don't forget to say "See! Government doesn't work, we've been right all along!" after you've smashed it.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#76

Post by euroderf »

shakna wrote: post #67
bandrami wrote: post #17

I stg DOGE is going to rewrite the Social Security software stack and it's going to crash and burn on the first person whose last name is "Null"

They're going to try and rewrite the IRS' Individual Master File, and not care if it changes the way it behaves.

As I understand it, the source for the Master File is lost to the mists of time. But a SoA A.I. can disassemble and comment it, yes ? Prep it for recompilation ?

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#77

Post by burgerrito »

BLKNSLVR wrote: post #35
barbarr wrote: post #11

Is there any proof that they're coding errors? A simpler explanation, to me at least, is that they first blanket fired people by dubious criteria, and are now using this as an excuse to backpedal when they realize they've cut something important.

It's either an actual 'coding error' because DOGE doesn't actually understand WTF they're doing or it's what you're suggesting. So it's Incompetence or Malice. Pick your poison.

I sometimes wonder those people are evil or just incompetent, but it feels like those two are indistinguishable.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#78

Post by croes »

euroderf wrote: post #72
sollewitt wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A beloved Terry Pratchett character defines evil as when you treat people like things.

Well then, that's pretty much an indictment of capitalism.

Staff department vs Human Resources

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#79

Post by mrkstu »

euroderf wrote: post #72
sollewitt wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A beloved Terry Pratchett character defines evil as when you treat people like things.

Well then, that's pretty much an indictment of capitalism.

Communism doesn't fare any better under that rubric. Any unbridled 'ism' taken to its extreme tends to fail most human centered tests.

Re: After 'coding error' triggers firings, top NIH scientists called back to work

#80

Post by Terr_ »

jmward01 wrote: post #50

The obvious methodology at work here is 'fire everyone then hopefully re-hire only what is blindingly obviously needed'. There are many, many problems with this approach in a business setting but even more from a governmental setting. The first, and what should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of empathy, is that these are real people who's lives are being toyed with. It isn't like you are trying out a new business…

Also, it's completely destroying an incredibly valuable asset: The reputation of being a stable long-term employer! (This is possibly their corrupt intent.)

The immediate "savings" reduced workforce (even assuming the same level of work gets done) can easily be obliterated by the long-term damage of needing to pay more to attract equally-qualified applicants away from the private sector.

Some quick napkin-math just to illustrate:

    * Assume the stupid and illegal firings continue, shrinking the workforce to 90%. 
    * Assume payroll expenses move the same, to 90%.
    * Now workers require 5% more to be hired at a flaky employer with dodgy benefits.
    * After just two years, the "savings" are erased. Every year the broken trust continues makes it worse.
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