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I can’t stop thinking about this bit in the Theranos book.
Company executives (Balwani was one) used this functionality to convince people that their machines were working - just slowly - when they were, in fact, not working at all.
Company executives (Balwani was one) used this functionality to convince people that their machines were working - just slowly - when they were, in fact, not working at all.
These demonstrations were used to cement partnerships, wow journalists, and secure company funding - all on false pretenses.
And worse - these non-working machines ACTUALLY INJURED PEOPLE.
And worse - these non-working machines ACTUALLY INJURED PEOPLE.
One lawsuit in progress alleges a man suffered a preventable heart attack because the machine returned incorrect blood test results that, if correct, would have indicated the danger.
Another woman spent thanksgiving weekend at the emergency room, to the tune of $3000 out of pocket and untold suffering, when a Theranos machine returned a test incorrectly indicating very high potassium levels.
Balwani, who ordered the software change, was by all accounts a bullying thug. He was known for routinely “disappearing” employees who’d been fired - often for pushing back against him and/or Elizabeth Holmes, the CEO.
Wouldn’t it be great, when the bullying thug comes to your desk and tells you to do something unethical, if there were an organization you could turn to that would have your back when you refuse?
Who would help financially when the bullying thug “disappeared” you?
Who would help financially when the bullying thug “disappeared” you?
Wouldn’t it be great if all those codes of ethics the professional associations like @TheOfficialACM & @IEEEorg publish...actually had some teeth?
What a world that would be...🤔
What a world that would be...🤔
What if your ethical calculus didn’t have to include not making rent or suddenly being without health insurance?
When you are asked to write software, like Micheal Craig was, that will perpetuate fraud, ESPECIALLY when that fraud will actually, physically, hurt people - you should say no.
But in a situation like that, where saying no might mean you can’t afford your kid’s cancer treatment or your spouse’s kidney dialysis...the choice isn’t as easy.
We need to make it easy.
We need to make it easy.
More people WILL say no, if we can align incentives the right way.
We desperately need a professional association or a union or SOMETHING to get us out of these impossible situations.
We desperately need a professional association or a union or SOMETHING to get us out of these impossible situations.
Absolutely. Theranos depended on folks with H1-B visas for key technical roles, because the company knew people in that situation had a lot more to lose pushing back.
Many silicon valley companies take advantage of that dependence. It’s despicable.
Many silicon valley companies take advantage of that dependence. It’s despicable.
We need this professional organization (or union) so we can thrive in our careers - not just the job we have right now.
We need it so we can push back when we’re asked to do something unethical.
We need it so joining a small company isn’t such a risk.
We need it so we can push back when we’re asked to do something unethical.
We need it so joining a small company isn’t such a risk.
Companies don’t want a software developer union because it makes us less beholden to them.
They know we’re trapped. They ALL know we’re trapped. The more ethical ones take less advantage of that fact, but all it takes is a change of leadership to flip that switch.
They know we’re trapped. They ALL know we’re trapped. The more ethical ones take less advantage of that fact, but all it takes is a change of leadership to flip that switch.
For all we like to pretend otherwise (“passion!”), a software development job is fundamentally an economic transaction. It is exchanging money for work.
Companies do not - and cannot - care about you.
Individuals might, but individuals in a company are ephemeral.
Companies do not - and cannot - care about you.
Individuals might, but individuals in a company are ephemeral.
We need to take care of ourselves. 💖
This is a great point. As a developer myself, that group has been my focus. But for an organization like this to be successful, it likely needs a wider audience.
