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Like Peter Thiel, Tech Workers Feel Alienated by Silicon Valley ‘Echo Chamber’

(www.wsj.com)
370 points sillypuddy | 6 comments | 18 Feb 18 16:50 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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twblalock ◴[18 Feb 18 21:03 UTC] No.16408620[source]▶
I don't get it. I grew up in Silicon Valley and I work in tech, and so do many other people I know. They run the gamut from far-left socialists to libertarians to own a bunch of guns. They have all kinds of ethnic backgrounds and religious views.

Some of my most libertarian/pro-gun friends have not been shy about their political views and it hasn't hurt their tech careers at all. They are far more welcome here than liberals are in other parts of the country.

It seems to me, from personal experience, that the people who feel alienated are the ones who bring politics to work in an overbearing contrarian way, seeking to cause offense under the guise of "debate," and then pretend to be shocked when people don't want to put up with their shit. Work is for working; it's not a debating society, and especially not when the debating is done in bad faith.

Peter Thiel has been more politically vocal than most, and he is vocal about things he knows to be unpopular. He can't be surprised that people who disagree with him are also vocal. If he can't take the heat he should stay out of the kitchen.

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1. unapprovedviews ◴[18 Feb 18 21:28 UTC] No.16408809[source]▶
> libertarian/pro-gun friends have not been shy about their political views and it hasn't hurt their tech careers at all

It's interesting that you specifically choose "libertarian". While maybe technically further to the right than Republican it truly seems supporting specifically Republican candidates is wholly furiously unacceptable in the bay area -- especially at tech companies. Try wearing a pin, t-shirt, hat, etc... "openly" supporting Trump to a tech company in the city -- actually for the safety of your career and physical self better not.

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2. twblalock ◴[18 Feb 18 21:42 UTC] No.16408892[source]▶
I know "normal" Republicans as well. I was using libertarianism as an example of an extreme on the political spectrum, as I used socialism as the opposite extreme.

At my last job, several employees openly supported Trump, and they didn't suffer any consequences.

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3. djrogers ◴[18 Feb 18 22:13 UTC] No.16409090[source]▶
Libertarian views are far less extreme in many ways than modern Republican views, and often align rather closely with progressive/democrat views. In fact, the libertarian ethos evolved from classic liberalism, including support of LGBT issues, racial and gender equality, and a largely non-interventionist global view.
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4. ianai ◴[18 Feb 18 23:04 UTC] No.16409407{3}[source]▶
Tell that to the libertarians of Las Vegas.
5. Anobody ◴[18 Feb 18 23:56 UTC] No.16409689[source]▶
This is my first time posting here just to say that I would literally do this as a dare while messed up on ketamine or a large quantity of vodka so I sound a little "off"

EDIT: Jokes aside, I simply do not talk about political affiliations with anyone, whatsoever. I have no problem having a little back and forth regarding an issue here or an issue there as well as discussing heavier subjects such as foreign policy. To be honest, I do find myself policing my language to not give away who I may or may not have voted for in the past every now and then.

I should probably note I live outside of the US and talking politics can really mess with everyday relationships. I made a decision to vote only on issues while trying to abstain from the whole "this is my sports team" mentality which sort of takes hold of people where I live.

6. TheCoelacanth ◴[19 Feb 18 19:22 UTC] No.16415023{3}[source]▶
Republican-voting libertarians are in some ways worse than normal Republicans. Unlike normal Republicans who simply don't believe that their policies are violating people's rights, Republican-voting libertarians freely admit that the policies they are supporting (their stated position is against the policies, but they still support them with their votes) violate people's right, but they go along with them so that they can get a tax break.