Technology

So do we really think that everyone who works at Google or Microsoft is a bad person? Let me remind you that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has given billions to charity. He's probably not a saint, but is he a net positive or a net negative to the world?

Net positive and net negative... there are 8 billion people and that in and of itself is a problem. Should we fault every human on the planet for being part of the problem? "I was just following orders," someone in the comments said. Biological directives to mate and reproduce and raise a family. Two people having more than two children between them are increasing the population. If you have three kids, and you're the father, if there are two different mothers, it's the same equation. Three adults replaced by three children (after so many years). But population is increasing, not decreasing. We're all part of the problem. Are we all evil?

That's not the way I see it. I don't think it's fair to judge the individual by the group. I think a person can still be a good person even if they're part of something that is not good. If you agree with me on overpopulation but not the company in OP's post, do you draw the line at being able to help it? Like if you're one of 12 kids you can't help that, so maybe you adopt when you're ready to have kids, instead of actually bringing more into the world? So most people can't help where they work on account of your hopes and wishes won't pay their bills. You can will them to do the right thing, but you're not the one responsible for paying their bills, and if they get their lights shut off, their car taken, or evicted, you can draw the shades and say "that's not my problem." So why should you get a say? Are you willing to support their families? No, you are not.

But at the same time, I also recognise that some organisations are evil, some governments are evil, and those who enable them do own some responsibility for that. I just don't think it's the final say in who a person is.