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I gave an two examples. One of internet companies keeping track of their users and selling the data to the highest bidder. The other is how it's easier to make money selling Orwellian central management software vs employee empowerment software.
It seems like it is much easier to succeed by doing evil things instead of doing good. Why is this?
John Deere is still going strong. I imagine a lot of their competitors went under during The Great Depression. It was impossible to sell the repossessed tractors since no one had any money.
I am feeling pretty bitter (about my personal situation) and feeling like, yes, evil wins. But I am not convinced the objective evidence really bears that out.
Your first one might mean gmail serves me ads for chicken wings (which I want) instead of diapers (which I don't). Is that evil?
As for the second, banks are under Orwellian central management - every penny is recorded going in and coming out. Is that evil, or is that good for everyone who holds a deposit? What's employee empowerment software exactly, anyway?
During The Great Depression, farms were having their equipment repossessed for non-payment. The John Deere Tractor Company decided to do no such thing. They told people "At some point, the weather will improve and you will need your tractor. Pay us when you can." Supposedly, for decades afterwards, if a tractor salesman for a different company saw a John Deere on a farm, there was no point in stopping. John Deere is…
During The Great Depression, farms were having their equipment repossessed for non-payment. The John Deere Tractor Company decided to do no such thing. They told people "At some point, the weather will improve and you will need your tractor. Pay us when you can." Supposedly, for decades afterwards, if a tractor salesman for a different company saw a John Deere on a farm, there was no point in stopping. John Deere is…
During The Great Depression, farms were having their equipment repossessed for non-payment. The John Deere Tractor Company decided to do no such thing. They told people "At some point, the weather will improve and you will need your tractor. Pay us when you can." Supposedly, for decades afterwards, if a tractor salesman for a different company saw a John Deere on a farm, there was no point in stopping. John Deere is…
The cynic businessman way to look at this is that John Deere knew repossessing a tractor was pointless, because there would be no one to resell it to. It would better to forebear the loan for later repayment and gain the goodwill.
I honest to god do not care what motivated their decision. I am a bleeding heart idealist, or at least perceived as such. Yet, I think "doing right" is a pragmatic thing, not some abstract ideal measured by some supposed god in some supposed spiritual realm.
(But have an upvote. Good comment.)
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The cynic businessman way to look at this is that John Deere knew repossessing a tractor was pointless, because there would be no one to resell it to. It would better to forebear the loan for later repayment and gain the goodwill.
My oldest son is basically a sociopath. He once tried to tell me a good thing he did was not really good because he did it for bad reasons. I assured him there were no thought police and the only important part was that he had, in fact, done the right thing. I honest to god do not care what motivated their decision. I am a bleeding heart idealist, or at least perceived as such. Yet, I think "doing right" is a pragmat…