> Engineers should know enough about their business domains to understand the ethical impacts of their work.
This would be more reasonable in the era of 10-20 years in the same company or industry. Needing to job hop every 2-3 years for a decent raise, and software skills applying to a vast array of industries, makes it less reasonable IMO.
> ...but I'm far less sympathetic for anyone making 5+ times the median US income.
Not everyone here or in software makes that kind of money. Some of us in the Midwest--or who aren't as skilled at negotiating--don't pull down nearly that much.
> This would be more reasonable in the era of 10-20 years in the same company or industry. Needing to job hop every 2-3 years for a decent raise, and software skills applying to a vast array of industries, makes it less reasonable IMO.
Yeah, to be clear, I don't think software engineers have an infinite level of responsibility for understanding the ethical implications of their work. If you were a software engineer at a credit rating agency in 2006, and you didn't see the ethical dilemma because you didn't anticipate that contagion would be exacerbated by the shadow banking system to bring down the global economy, you get a pass. But if your prospective employer is, like, locking children in cages, or spreading disinformation on political candidates, you should probably find that out during the interview process.
> Not everyone here or in software makes that kind of money. Some of us in the Midwest--or who aren't as skilled at negotiating--don't pull down nearly that much.
Good point - I'm also in the Midwest and make less than that, for what it's worth. I've naturally had FAANG in mind as I type these comments, and more generally I think salaries for the more unethical roles tend to skew higher.
> Yeah, to be clear, I don't think software engineers have an infinite level of responsibility for understanding the ethical implications of their work.
Yep. That's more the responsibility of product managers, upper managements and chief architects/engineers.
This would be more reasonable in the era of 10-20 years in the same company or industry. Needing to job hop every 2-3 years for a decent raise, and software skills applying to a vast array of industries, makes it less reasonable IMO.
> ...but I'm far less sympathetic for anyone making 5+ times the median US income.
Not everyone here or in software makes that kind of money. Some of us in the Midwest--or who aren't as skilled at negotiating--don't pull down nearly that much.