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0 pointsnonrandomstring2y ago0 comments

How about

  - go on the political offensive to have *tech* people realize why
    they should care about things like this

Because seriously, if we had a coherent, coordinated (unionised?) consensus about reasonable limits on the use of technology then a widespread refusal to implement technological tyranny would be highly effective.

The worry that it "only takes a few defectors who will sell out for the money" is valid, but in reality I don't think things would be workable if 60%-80% of capable engineers simply wouldn't build, test, maintain or work with proscribed "fascist technologies".

0 comments

FredPret2y ago

I won't join a union, and neither would most other engineers; but I love the idea of a professional body with some ideals and standards.

nonrandomstringOP2y ago

In Britain there is the BCS [0]

Without advocating for them I'll just say that I came to this forum a little over a year ago with the intention of researching ethics and development. As I near writing some conclusions I feel they're one of the few organisations I see consistently putting emphasis on ethics and I am thinking of joining for that reason.

Something along the lines of a Hippocratic Oath is needed.

Notwithstanding the complexities of intent, misuse and side-effects I increasingly think it is possible for hackers to consistently adopt a "I will do no harm to others and society" credo.

Sometimes just making it plain to an employer that you belong to a professional body whose ethics code would prohibit you from working on unconscionable tech is powerful - not least that it would afford you some protections under employment law if they threaten to fire you. At least that applies in other areas of medicine and engineering.

[0] https://www.bcs.org/

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