Seems odd to blame other workers here even if they do make a lot of money. The only way workers will be helped is other jobs provide better value to the worker or companies are regulated to provide better conditions. Personal and corporate interests will always trump community interests.
randmeerkat|3 years ago
People _are_ responsible for the choices they make _and_ the entities they choose to empower…
Anyhow… I’ve known engineers that have chosen community over themselves…
Regardless, you’re on HN, fortunately you don’t have to make that choice. Instead you can skip FAANG toxicity and join a startup “community” that aligns with your values. Even better you can start your own startup. The payout is also potentially far better than grinding at a soul sucking FAANG position for years.
chii|3 years ago
if you consider financial pay out, i really can't agree that it's a better payout for the risk you're taking. A startup can be a lottery, and "winning" can be difficult and has a chance element. On average, i think the payout is lower than employment at the FAANGs, esp. if you do good salary negotiation and move often to ensure you're not missing out any uptick in the market rate.
Of course, a startup, like winning the lottery, pays out a lot more when successful, and some people prefer the high risk high reward - it's not a wrong choice. But that should be understood first.
random314|3 years ago
No matter how many engineers quit or refuse to apply to Amazon they will always have a replacement. The solution for both climate change and Amazon is government intervention. Be it subsidies for Solar or regulatory fines for Amazon.
grapeskin|3 years ago
The people slaving for 50 cents over minimum wage and still being unable to pay rent don’t have much of a choice.
chii|3 years ago
they are ethical, or altruistic, but certainly can't claim they are financially responsible.
If they don't have dependents (now or in the future), then they can remain financially irresponsible, because it will have little effect. But if they plan on having dependents such as children, they will need the funds to compete for scarce resources such as housing and school etc. They will also need to provide for their own retirement.
If they choose to take a lower paying job (when a higher paying one is definitely available), they are making a sacrifice on behalf of their dependents, who may or may not appreciate this choice being made for them.
jokethrowaway|3 years ago
Is the value created for the customers of amazon.com less or more significant for society at large than people who can't get a better job than minimum wage, voluntarily working for minimum wage?
There is no moral right or wrong. I personally hate amazon and I would never work for them (even if I'm impressed by what Bezos achieved) but I don't judge people working for amazon. I judge way more people working for the IRS, that's a proper criminal enterprise.
notreallyserio|3 years ago
There are plenty of folks that won't put personal enrichment above abhorrent labor practices.
bamboozled|3 years ago
someelephant|3 years ago