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617 points jbegley | 6 comments | | HN request time: 0.01s | source | bottom
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a_shovel ◴[] No.42938313[source]
I initially thought that this was an announcement for a new pledge and thought, "they're going to forget about this the moment it's convenient." Then I read the article and realized, "Oh, it's already convenient."

Google is a megacorp, and while megacorps aren't fundamentally "evil" (for some definitions of evil), they are fundamentally unconcerned with goodness or morality, and any appearance that they are is purely a marketing exercise.

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1. lenerdenator ◴[] No.42938388[source]
The market solves all problems.

... or at least that's what these people have to be telling themselves at all times.

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2. johnnyanmac ◴[] No.42938566[source]
It is partially the markets fault. If they were demonized for this, there's at least be a veneer of trying to look moral. Instead they can simply go full mask off. That's why you shouldn't tolerate the intolerant.
3. smallmancontrov ◴[] No.42938625[source]
The market's objectives are wealth-weighted.

This is a very important point to remember when assessing ideas like "Is it good to build swarms of murderbots to mow down rioting peasants angry over having expenses but no jobs?" Most people might answer "no," but if the people with money answer "yes," that becomes the market's objective. Then the incentives diffuse through the economy and you don't just get the murderbots, you also get the news stations explaining how the violent peasants brought this on themselves and the politicians making murderbots tax deductible and so on.

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4. kelseyfrog ◴[] No.42938750[source]
I have full faith that the market[1] will direct the trolley onto the morally optimal track. It's invisible hand will guide mine when I decide or decide against pulling the lever. Either way, I can be sure that the result is maximally beneficial to the participants, myself included.

1. https://drakelawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lrdisc...

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5. mystified5016 ◴[] No.42938849[source]
The magic market fairy godmother has decided that TVs with built in ads and spyware are good for you. The market fairy thinks this is so good for you that there are no longer any alternatives to a smart TV besides "no tv"

The market fairy has also decided that medication commercials on TV is good for you. That your car should report your location, speed, and driving habits to your insurer, car manufacturer, and their 983,764 partners at all times.

Maximally beneficial indeed.

6. amarcheschi ◴[] No.42939010[source]
Anduril already asked this question with a strong "fuck yes"

Edit: answered, not asked