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Discussion on: Developers: Mercenaries for hire?

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squeakyspacebar profile image
Andy Lo

I've definitely turned down positions at places that approached me where I didn't feel comfortable with some aspect of their cultures (developer, corporate, or otherwise). Although I recognize that there's a lot of inherently amoral business conducted that ultimately helps many people day-to-day, I need to know that my efforts aren't going toward helping a business screw people over in order to line someone else's pockets.

This obviously cuts out a lot of potential positions, and sometimes the pay is not as great as it could be, but I think I'm happier not questioning my integrity all the time.

I worked in a rather soul-crushing corporate position once, and I'm glad it was both a limited stint and the only position like it that I've taken. Although my work was not going toward harmful aims, it felt like a lot of it was just going into a black hole because things were so mismanaged on all fronts.

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Arden de Raaij

That first paragraph of your comment kinda sums it all up, doesn't it? "I need to know that my efforts aren't going toward helping a business screw people over in order to line someone else's pockets." Is exactly what we should be thinking.

I think the black hole you're talking about might be even worse at times. I feel like working for evil can be prevented by keeping your own ethics in check but I'm sure just about everyone has come across projects that are mismanaged, useless and all in all just a waste of time, money and resources.