eugeneagyeman

As a corollary, why does there need to be an excuse for this? Maybe it is right, maybe it’s wrong but I’m surprised you’d jump to it must be broken

I think this is a very pure and cynical view to take to humanity. We’re a whole lot more than systems and equations. I get this is hacker news but this surely is a result of your own personal view which is valid but ultimately yours? Thus not answering the question. Or have I jumped the gun a bit?

Programmers should have a moral and defensible right to object to something that severely harms those who use their systems. Saying he was just doing what he was told fails to account for the fact that had he said no and flagged this as immoral, some customers may have their cash… maybe. Worst comes to worst he is fired but working at that level you’ll find a job in 5 mins and have sufficient capital to weather the storm. I’m a strong believer that ethics and basic philosophy should be taught as part of a cs curriculum. For precisely events like this.

Wrong reply

Tbh as an aside why prescribe a child an antibiotic for a sore throat?

Sorry but this is not helpful.

Slavery was wrong then and it is wrong now. societal consensus cannot be excused because it was in the past.

Highlighted and rightfully acknowledged but slavery cannot be simplified to just forced labour when rape, murder and unethical experimentation was also performed. I think it’s incorrect to assume that this should not be criticised with the standards of today as to do so is to ignore that it is a very human issue to value the life of another so poorly and assume we were all barbarians only 300-400 years ago which is not the case.