I think it's a good thing to have a voice within the academic and social circles of these people voicing concerns about the status quo and effects it has on greater society outside that circle.
People listen to other people in their vicinity. As tech workers we tend to discard concern by people outside our community. Yet when a member of our community voices the same concerns we give it more weight.
It's not hypocritical to be critical of the environment that brought you success. I'd argue it's a very good thing for people within a community to be a voice for those outside it who wind up reaping what they sow.
If we require people to be perfect, or even consistent, before we consider their ideas and whether they have merit, we are both enshrining ad hominem discussions as the only standard and giving the keys to the world to the most immoral psychopaths among us, who will simply refuse any moral obligation, rules, and aspirations, and therefore be the only ones “worthy” to be listened to.
Personally, I find that repugnant. And no, I’m not always 100% consistent with this. Guess no one should listen to me, either.
People listen to other people in their vicinity. As tech workers we tend to discard concern by people outside our community. Yet when a member of our community voices the same concerns we give it more weight.
It's not hypocritical to be critical of the environment that brought you success. I'd argue it's a very good thing for people within a community to be a voice for those outside it who wind up reaping what they sow.