It's as software engineer at a defense-related company, so to say it's fucking with my moral compass a little bit would be an understatement, but unless I'm offered maybe one other job that I'm going for (and providing I'm sufficiently impressed with the place) then I'm probably going to take it.
Good for you. I've had similar moral debates in the recent past when contemplating applying with companies like Raytheon and Boeing. I can't say I wouldn't take the job for enough money, but I don't think I could have worked on missile systems or the like. I think I'd be alright with it if I wasn't designing stuff that directly killed people.
Eraser wrote:concrats mate.
And just because you work at a defense related company doesn't automatically mean you're responsible for bombing citizens to hell.
Thanks, I fear that's something I might have to discuss with people from time to time
However, the products they make probably will land on citizens from time-to-time unfortunately. If I take that job I would see it as one of the main reasons to do my job to produce my best work all of the time so that happens as little as possible.
Nightshade wrote:I think I'd be alright with it if I wasn't designing stuff that directly killed people.
It's an odd moral question. If you'd be the main brains behind somekind of new missile, people would without a doubt say you're indirectly responsible for deaths in a war.
If you're an accountant for the same company, doing no more than adding and substracting financial numbers, I guess that places you a bit further away from the moral aspects of the company's products.
Honestly if I'd taken a universal slating I'd have understood the reasoning, I'm sure I'll get a few in future if I take it. I just hope to fuck I don't have to attend many recruitment events, lol.
Nightshade wrote:I think I'd be alright with it if I wasn't designing stuff that directly killed people.
It's an odd moral question. If you'd be the main brains behind somekind of new missile, people would without a doubt say you're indirectly responsible for deaths in a war.
If you're an accountant for the same company, doing no more than adding and substracting financial numbers, I guess that places you a bit further away from the moral aspects of the company's products.
Well, I think it's not too hard to make the argument that if you're employed by a defense contractor, you bear some of the responsibility for people getting blown up. But then again, the same can be said for pretty much every American in at least some fashion.
Nightshade wrote:
Well, I think it's not too hard to make the argument that if you're employed by a defense contractor, you bear some of the responsibility for people getting blown up. But then again, the same can be said for pretty much every American in at least some fashion.
Which is the main problem in dismantling the CONGRESSIONAL Military Industrial Complex and makes it impossible to get rid of.
That's pretty much the crux of all America's problems atm...the people that can fix the current system are the ones that benefit the most from it being broken.
The only way I see things changing is getting a crop of congresscritters in office that don't care about getting re-elected.
it's understandable to be a little up in the air on the moral implications - but it's also understandable to want good pay, good benefits, etc for yourself and your (maybe future) family.
i also have problems working for a media organization that doesn't hold up its end of the bargain IMO. i deal with that sometimes too.
but when your job choices are limited (as they always are), you have to take what's best for you, and hope the experience helps you to have better choices in the future.
Thanks, that's the problem when looking for the first career-type job, while there are lots around, they're extremely competetive, and there have been occasions where I'm pretty sure I've done well but someone has bettered me. I'm at the stage where I need to learn and gain experience and that'll open up my options in future. I've not taken it yet though, and there may be other possibilities, we'll see.
I don't know the details of your job, but supposing I'm forced to judge the situation despite that, I would probably end up taking the position with some limited reservations.
fuck off guyblowki 
