I mean when I talk with Helsing or Anduril people, they’re all very seriously sold on the idea that it will only be “used for good”, so it’s bittersweet to see that it’s no longer just an “I swear you’ll regret this” but a “I told you this would happen”.
I guess my point is the "do no evil” part is only there to attract talent and public support. What’s really scary is that they apparently don’t feel they need either anymore. I hope that backfires for them. It would make the world better if it did.
mil-tech alienating their workforce now would be in line with disillusionment among previous generations tricked into fueling the imperial machine, dating back to at least Vietnam.
now, elsewhere we’ve seen organizing work out, such as with US districts’ civil push against data centers.
in our case, i’d wonder if much could be salvaged, given these companies’ identity.
definitely curious tho what their employees might say off-record these days.
For me, the silent majority is the most saddening. It gives me vibes of “maybe I also want that high salary – that mil-tech offers – one day, so I don’t say anything”.
Also, those who already work on software that kills people, there was a term in National Socialist Germany describing their occupation: Schreibtischtäter.