Meredith WhittakerJan 20, 2023
Early 2000s profitable startups gave their handful of workers novel perks/freedom. These cos/their workplace culture got big. Late 2010s tech labor gained power + made demands. Now a hint of recession = excuse to break promises/reestablish dominance over workers. It's not about $
Show threadTony WuerschJan 21, 2023
@Mer__edith my different theory is that top tech firms strategized to forestall competition, by hiring people who would otherwise fuel startups or build open source. The main threat now is anti-big-tech regulation, tho, not startups.
Show threadMeredith WhittakerJan 21, 2023
@twersh I don't buy it in large part because startups don't compete with big tech anymore. They license big tech infrastructure and compete with each other to get acquired by big tech.
Show threadMax PetrasJan 23, 2023
@Mer__edith @twersh Wow, this is **the** most accurate description of the situation. Did you publish this idea somewhere? Otherwise, I need to cite this toot in my PhD.
Show threadMeredith Whittaker
@MaxPe @twersh I have not published it, but it remains true nevertheless
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:51pmWeb
Show threadMax PetrasJan 23, 2023
@Mer__edith @twersh 💯. will cite the toot. Thank you!