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MTurk + Google News API = press

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Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#91

Mechanical turk is abusive. It bypasses the laws that were designed to protect the most vulnerable, and it will take some time for new laws to catch up that can regulate operations like mechanical turk. Just because new services and start ups have out maneuvered the law making system does not make those services ethical. "Workers relying on such low wages and unstable employment are not likely to be able to educate t…

I thought most folks (at least US based) performed the work on the side. Such as receptionists with lots of down time or late night security guards. A lot of this is just busy work. Click this if it's porn... fill in an email from the linked page... categorize this image. Am I totally off base?

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not talking about MTurk specifically, but about all below minimum wage jobs. > but they're unable to realize that, so we should decide for them because we know best They are we, we are they, we're one society and if we democratically set a wage floor, then yes, we know best. That's rather the point of democracy, to remove choice about some things from the individual and make them together because it's better for…

That's rather the point of democracy, to remove choice about some things from the individual and make them together because it's better for us all despite what any one individual might choose. Which is exactly why the phrase "tyranny of the majority" exists, and why "democracy" is just a euphemism for "mob rule" at the end of the day.

And as Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not talking about MTurk specifically, but about all below minimum wage jobs. > but they're unable to realize that, so we should decide for them because we know best They are we, we are they, we're one society and if we democratically set a wage floor, then yes, we know best. That's rather the point of democracy, to remove choice about some things from the individual and make them together because it's better for…

> because it's better for us all Or so authoritarians would have us believe.

Believe what you like, others will too, and the majority will choose.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#94
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do they check the workers' location? Some of that income could be considered decent lower-middle-class in certain parts of the world.

I was doubtful at first, because of the need for both a computer (and Internet connection) in a part of the world where 25 cents an hour would be a decent lower-middle-class income. The World Bank has some information about countries with people living on $2 per day. ( http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.2DAY ) Maybe there's a use for a "Fair Trade Mechanical Turk" - someone sets up an Internet work space for…

Just block first-world nations from accessing *.mturk.com, and problem solved.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#95

Mechanical turk is abusive. It bypasses the laws that were designed to protect the most vulnerable, and it will take some time for new laws to catch up that can regulate operations like mechanical turk. Just because new services and start ups have out maneuvered the law making system does not make those services ethical. "Workers relying on such low wages and unstable employment are not likely to be able to educate t…

Here's where I get confused by this economic justice: I have a little personal project and there's a piece of it that could be hired out on mechanical turk. The project isn't worth much much money to me, it really is just a point of personal interest. And the little task is interesting enough that a few people might actually do it for free. So I could ask for volunteers. Worse things have happened: how many times do…

Cognitive bias is human nature. The example I read is you'd get many more lawyers working pro bono for charity than you would offering a low wage. This of course extends to our perception of other people doing it.

I for one think we should remove minimum wage entirely but give everyone adequate food and healthcare. If people didn't go bankrupt after a serious injury and had enough food to wait out crappy offers, an appropriate wage would appear naturally.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> because it's better for us all Or so authoritarians would have us believe.

Believe what you like, others will too, and the majority will choose.

A comment so insightful that you could use it in response to anyone who disagrees with you! Kudos.

But, yeah, I get it. You're an authoritarian through and through, and you want to make sure others know who's boss.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's rather the point of democracy, to remove choice about some things from the individual and make them together because it's better for us all despite what any one individual might choose. Which is exactly why the phrase "tyranny of the majority" exists, and why "democracy" is just a euphemism for "mob rule" at the end of the day.

And as Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

He also said, "I propose that 100,000 degenerate Britons should be forcibly sterilized and others put in labour camps to halt the decline of the British race."

And this, "I do not understand this squeamishness about the use of gas. We have definitely adopted the position at the Peace Conference of arguing in favour of the retention of gas as a permanent method of warfare. It is sheer affectation to lacerate a man with the poisonous fragment of a bursting shell and to boggle at making his eyes water by means of lachrymatory gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes. The moral effect should be so good that the loss of life should be reduced to a minimum. It is not necessary to use only the most deadly gases: gases can be used which cause great inconvenience and would spread a lively terror and yet would leave no serious permanent effects on most of those affected."

And just in case you couldn't tell, he confirms his inner monster: "I think a curse should rest on me — because I love this war. I know it's smashing and shattering the lives of thousands every moment — and yet — I can't help it — I enjoy every second of it."

So what, am I supposed to look up to this man and accept that Mob Rule is the best way to govern just because he says so?

But whatever man, people will just keep believing what they're believing. But at the end of the day, those who would use violence to enact their own ends will continue doing so.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#98

Mechanical turk is abusive. It bypasses the laws that were designed to protect the most vulnerable, and it will take some time for new laws to catch up that can regulate operations like mechanical turk. Just because new services and start ups have out maneuvered the law making system does not make those services ethical. "Workers relying on such low wages and unstable employment are not likely to be able to educate t…

Care to elaborate what is the exact mechanism by which MT perpetuates poverty? Given two worlds, one with MT and one without, what exactly are the opportunities that poor people are deprived of in the former which are available in the latter?

Basically, by spending so much time doing work for peanuts to make ends meet or as a primary source of income, they become reliant on that income and will not find opportunities elsewhere. The argument is that mTurk perpetuates and thrives on cheap labour.

The solution is obvious, make the decision for them and deprive them of that source of income or legislate minimum wage rates... This in my opinion would be very shortsighted and harmful.

Re: MTurk + Google News API = press

#99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But isn't that real problem? Not that MTurtk is available, but that people have no better choice? Attacking low paying jobs satisfies our moral outrage, but it doesn't actually help those wrote are left with nothing. We should concentrate in making sure people don't have to choose MTurk out of desperation, and banning it doesn't achieve that. This doesn't mean Amazon and companies like it are innocent in this situati…

> Attacking low paying jobs satisfies our moral outrage, but it doesn't actually help those wrote are left with nothing. Yes it does, the minimum wage goes hand in hand with the social safety net. Banning low wage jobs pushes those with no better choice into the safety net which is better than letting them try and work 90 hour weeks at jobs that don't pay a living wage. This frees up their time to actually do somethi…

The poorest places do not have safety nets.
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