Lack of Support and Participation in the Software Engineering Community Violates The Software Engineering Code of Ethics

Some Software Engineers mention "not being interested" as an excuse not to help someone with something that could benefit customers or the Software Engineering community at large when the real reason is in fact covert discrimination against that person and lack of effort to treat them as an equal and equally respected member of their community. Know that Software Engineers have to abide by the Software Engineering Code of Ethics:

https://www.computer.org/education/code-of-ethics

And, it includes the statements:

• "Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest."
• "Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues."

So, if someone gives you an excuse of "not being interested" to avoid helping you out with a public interest matter out of discrimination against you, know that they have conducted themselves in an unethical manner and remind them of what they signed up for when they became Software Engineers, whether implicitly or explicitly.

This even extends to matters like Software Engineers not wanting to check out certain technologies/libraries that could greatly help the public interest just out of discrimination against the technology/library creators. It also covers matters of Software Engineers not wanting to learn and improve certain skills through frequent attendance of local user groups that can improve the practice of their profession.

After all, that is covered by the statement:

"Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession."

I am including the short version of the Software Engineering Code of Ethics below for your convenience:

Software engineers shall commit themselves to making the analysis, specification, design, development, testing and maintenance of software a beneficial and respected profession. In accordance with their commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the public, software engineers shall adhere to the following Eight Principles:

1. PUBLIC – Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER – Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
3. PRODUCT – Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
4. JUDGMENT – Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
5. MANAGEMENT – Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
6. PROFESSION – Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
7. COLLEAGUES – Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
8. SELF – Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.

Blog post version for sharing, titled "Lack of Support and Participation in the Software Engineering Community Violates The Software Engineering Code of Ethics":
https://andymaleh.blogspot.com/2024/09/lack-of-support-and-participation-in.html