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We are complicit in our employer’s deeds

(drewdevault.com)
215 points LaSombra | 1 comments | 05 May 20 13:04 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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GoToRO ◴[05 May 20 14:40 UTC] No.23080485[source]▶
We need more developers start companies and not sell out.
replies(2): >>23080630 #>>23080783 #
linuxftw ◴[05 May 20 14:52 UTC] No.23080630[source]▶
That requires access to capital, which is vested in the banking class thanks to a centuries of organized crime people affectionately refer to as 'the government.'
replies(1): >>23080655 #
ddevault ◴[05 May 20 14:54 UTC] No.23080655[source]▶
I am a year and a half into owning a profitable business which has not taken any venture capital. It is entirely possible, and in my opinion, entirely necessary.
replies(1): >>23084225 #
sbuttgereit ◴[05 May 20 19:57 UTC] No.23084225[source]▶
Sure, but are you investigating your customers and terminating those that might be sufficiently inconsistent with your morals? If so, do your customers understand that they're subject to such examination? Is that sort of thing a requirement for initiating the trade with you or, only if you coincidentally learn of transgressions after the fact, possibly after they start depending on your business?

While I don't know your position on the questions above, and they might sound accusatory, I think it's probably fair for possible customers to understand how, after you've taken a stand that employer/employee relationships should come under a broader moral scrutiny, if you consider that the vendor/customer relationship falls under the same rubric. If so, how do you do your vetting or how might possible customers self-qualify under such conditions?

replies(1): >>23087264 #
1. ddevault ◴[06 May 20 02:06 UTC] No.23087264{3}[source]▶
I have a terms of service, for one, which governs some of this. I am also not above "firing the customer" if appropriate, but of course I wouldn't presume to do this so urgently and without warning as to leave anyone who depended on the platform out in the cold. I don't think my target audience is especially likely to fall afoul of my convictions on what kinds of activities I feel morally at peace with supporting on my platform.