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This is the current #1 reason I refuse to work for any SV companies. Before, it was their shiny veneer of fanciness that barely covers the shitty working conditions. I see nothing but continuous witch hunts targeting people who didn't toe even the most ridiculous lines quickly enough. I can't imagine the anxiety of walking on eggshells 24/7 only to wake up one morning crucified online for an opinion that was mainstream less than a decade ago.

What scares me is how ingrained in every SV company this is now. Nearly every company monopolizing some corner of my Internet life continuously spouts this rhetoric in terror. It makes me wonder what they are afraid of.

"If you don't like X, then start your own." I watched Hatreon get shut down by Visa and probably every other processor. Is their name stupid? Yes, but that's not the point. I would bet you dollars to donuts they worked ten times harder than Patreon to comply with US laws and regulations. They knew they were going to be under a microscope. It didn't matter one bit.

Everyday, the Internet and the companies who sit on it are becoming more central to our lives. We are already close to an informal Social Credit System in the US. How long will it be until watching the wrong politician's speech on YouTube means you can't get a mortgage? Can't get a middle class job? Is that where we want to be? It's not where I want to be. It's not where the vast majority wants to be, and it's scaring us.

As a European, I find it weird seeing how polarized the entire political system of the USA is. It looks almost like there are 2 religions that do not like each other on all levels. I think politics should be about making laws that make society a better place, but with a two party system only one can have the majority and thus it evens looks undemocratic to me.
> It looks almost like there are 2 religions that do not like each other on all levels.

I’ve seen it this way for a long time, ever since I came upon the comparison between the public patriotic display (the Pledge of Allegiance) and public prayer. The treatment of the flag even closely resembles that of a religious icon.

It seems to only be getting more intense with each passing season. The left and right have each latched on to what they see as being “American values” and while they are not entirely incompatible, their adherents are polarizing much like my understanding of the Reformation in England.

> 2 religions

red tribe, blue tribe

https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/09/30/i-can-tolerate-anythin...

i guess this shows for all their genius, the Collisons are either feckless/weak or brainwashed
This slava fellow sure seems like he's going full meltdown that some people these days might possibly DM you with tips to be considerate.
You mean, they'll DM you with tips for compliance.
he uses the framing of debate to propose that his speech & message should be protected & taught

but ignores that his speech is harmful

but ignores that "compliance" is often state mandated

his suggested counter/remedy takes an attempt to get people to shape up, with no listed examples of penalty pain or anything but slava's feelings being hurt, his inchoate rage at having to suffer other people, into an attempt to bully & harass.

If anything he understated the Stripe experience right now