@BryanLunduke Society is so polarized these days that we probably need to resort to anonymity to start discussions on sensitive topics. There needs to be an ombudsman type of role to enable and manage anonymous discourse.
I've made my rather dim view of "the memo" known. In any case I not only defend his right to say it but Google's right to act in response as they see fit. Does not mean I think either did right. Google foolishly decided to pour petrol on the fire instead of contain it.
@wilbr @BryanLunduke Though I found the memo distasteful myself I was still quite alarmed at the level of reaction, but I am also accustomed to a very different workplace environment (construction in heavy industrial sites like refineries) where language is, let's say, FAR less diplomatic and more blunt.
But it does underscore the need for such "nerds" to have some sort of support and education related to such discourse and an anonymous yet moderated and trusted outlet for such discussion.
@msh @[email protected] testosterone-laden physical workplaces are definitely very different from diverse office jobs. I've been using family analogies like Thanksgiving Dinner a lot lately. It's not that you don't have free speech, it's that we're here for a purpose and we're not gonna get distracted by one person's weird ramblings.
More to the point, productivity in "knowledge" jobs is very dependent upon not getting distracted. Opposite of physical jobs. Weird ranty memos are not cool
@wilbr @BryanLunduke I should clarify I work a knowledge job (I am an industrial automation engineer) and spend significant time in both the office and field.
Your comments show a bit of naïvety about physical jobs. Especially skilled trades. I would argue the opposite. The office is more tolerant of distraction. Distraction on a heavy industrial site can literally kill people or blow things up.
Hence the reason I believe he had the time to write "the memo" . More time to think.
Mark Shane Hayden
Moved to @