throwaway82932 (u/throwaway82932)

euske · 5 years ago

While I really do respect this person, I can't help but wondering how many people today on HN could make such a decision, especially those who insist to "move fast and break things" or "rough consensus and working code", etc, etc.

Probably not many. (Probably I couldn't either.)

It's one thing to praise a hero like him... but how can we be that guy while having a stable job?

throwaway82932 · 5 years ago

I've never been faced with a decision so grave as McDonald, but I've done my best over the years and I'm content. There are lots of opportunities to move the needle ethically that don't require sacrifice at all. At least one time the organization actually changed — credit due to the people who listened with open ears.

(Throwaway account because making a difference doesn't necessarily mean making a public show.)

consumer451 · 5 years ago

Standing up to your org is such a rare and difficult thing. Most of us, myself included, are usually not up to the task.

Major respect to Allan McDonald.

throwaway82932 · 5 years ago

It's difficult for sure. It will draw out every ounce of your political skills. It sometimes means leaving your job, and although it doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing your whole career, optimizing for ethics may impede your ability to optimize for other things like compensation or power.

> usually not up to the task

Hmm, "usually"? It sounds like you've done at least something sometime, even though you may not have been satisfied. Kudos for doing what you could under the circumstances. Not everyone needs to go full martyr.