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A number of soylentils have written in to let us know that Google is opening up the possibility of being evil by eliminating it from their code of conduct. You've been warned.
"Don't be Evil" Starting to Disappear From Google's Code of Conduct
Google Removes 'Don't Be Evil' Clause From Its Code of Conduct
Google's unofficial motto has long been the simple phrase "don't be evil." But that's over, according to the code of conduct that Google distributes to its employees. The phrase was removed sometime in late April or early May, archives hosted by the Wayback Machine show.
[...] The updated version of Google's code of conduct still retains one reference to the company's unofficial motto—the final line of the document is still: "And remember... don't be evil, and if you see something that you think isn't right – speak up!"
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Google to eliminate the "don't be evil"
According to Gizmodo, Google will remove it's "Don't Be Evil" from its code of conduct.
Google's unofficial motto has long been the simple phrase "don't be evil." But that's over, according to the code of conduct that Google distributes to its employees. The phrase was removed sometime in late April or early May, archives hosted by the Wayback Machine show.
"Don't be evil" has been part of the company's corporate code of conduct since 2000. When Google was reorganized under a new parent company, Alphabet, in 2015, Alphabet assumed a slightly adjusted version of the motto, "do the right thing." However, Google retained its original "don't be evil" language until the past several weeks. The phrase has been deeply incorporated into Google's company culture—so much so that a version of the phrase has served as the wifi password on the shuttles that Google uses to ferry its employees to its Mountain View headquarters, sources told Gizmodo.
Based on TFA, I think I would venture a guess that the new WiFi password is "be evil" ?
Previously I wasn't confused. Google wasn't evil, because they said they weren't evil. And they wouldn't lie because they are not evil. I know they are not evil, because they say so, and they wouldn't lie about it.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday May 21 2018, @01:26AM (8 children)
I've been to a few onsite interviews in Mountain View. The main reason I wanted to work there was their lunch rooms: they have many of them, each specializing in a different kind of food. My favorite was their Spanish Tapas.
All the work-area fridges kept stock with sushi were appealing too.
But I eventually concluded that Google really _is_ evil. I still get solicited to apply by their HR people but I simply do not reply.
I won't apply to Amazon either. Never have, never will.
Presently I'm avoiding burning bridges by simply not replying to any of their solicitations. But I'm increasingly tempted to reply with a manifesto. I'll write such a manifesto sometime soon then put it on my website so I can get some feedback...
... and so I can convince my fellow coders not to apply to amazon or google themselves.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @01:42AM (4 children)
The best way to damage something is from the inside.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @08:02AM (2 children)
That's naive reasoning. What happens is they'll stick to you some sabotage accusation in whatever legal form is required if they can, or fire you if for some reason previous option wasn't an option. They might be evil, but not necessary dumb.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by khallow on Monday May 21 2018, @02:49PM (1 child)
The last one in particular is very risk-free. Including more people in decision-making processes is easy to justify, particularly when the consequences of the resulting indecision accrue to some hapless coworker.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by infodragon on Monday May 21 2018, @05:37PM
As I read the 3 points you quote above I had a feeling of dread as memories of GM rose to the surface! I worked there all of 6 months, 1998. It was the Auburn Hills MI facility in which we were starting the design of software to model the manufacturing process in the attempt to automate as much as possible.
The more someone shined the more complaints they had against them.
Everybody attempted to work slowly, *EVERYBODY* Consultants even more than most!
It took 20+ people to make a decision and only one to kill that same decision. 20 was the smallest group I saw, others were much bigger and only groups could make a decision that affected more than one person.
I watched them send a PhD on a training trip and while he was gone reorged his group and terminated him when he got back. Doesn't matter if it was justified or not the impact on moral was extremely negative due to the means in which someone was treated!
Don't settle for shampoo, demand real poo!
(Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @03:45PM
Yeah, the social justice types are already working on dismantling Google.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @03:22AM (2 children)
Here is what you send them
"Thank you for reaching out to me please remove me from any further solicitations, Thank you"
There done.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday May 21 2018, @04:47AM (1 child)
They never find me through their own records. Always it's through my website
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @06:26AM
Maybe feature a prominent "I dont want to work for you if... section?