>To quote Marge Simpson (regarding MMA): "Call me a killjoy, but I think that because this is not to my taste, no one else should be able to enjoy it."
Actions in hyper-competitive SV have a ripple effect on the rest of tech economy globally. If the only way to compete in tech is to use performance enhancing drugs, well that's exactly the sort of situation where I'd want the government to step in with regulation. I don't want to have to use drugs in order to stay competitive. It's a health issue, similar to professional sports and drug use. Performance enhancing drugs are banned for the health of the athletes, not for the "spirit of the game."
Athletics is a zero sum game - the athletes are harmed and the rest of the world is not helped. If we ban PEDs, the football will still reach the endzone.
Tech is a positive sum game. If PEDs help get us the next Uber, AirBnB or OkCupid, it's well worth the price of some less dedicated people being outcompeted. It's insane to hold the world back simply so certain less dedicated developers can maintain their current high status.
No, it's insane to sit back and let the market force people to disfigure and destroy themselves for the profits of wealthy capitalists: to destroy humanity in order to sacrifice it at the altar of capitalism
Exactly. Saying that "oh this was always the way in tech, and always will be" is turning a blind eye to the costs involved. It's gonna turn Silicon Valley into another Wall Street, never mind that the work conditions and pace that drive Wall Street shouldn't be acceptable either.
Actions in hyper-competitive SV have a ripple effect on the rest of tech economy globally. If the only way to compete in tech is to use performance enhancing drugs, well that's exactly the sort of situation where I'd want the government to step in with regulation. I don't want to have to use drugs in order to stay competitive. It's a health issue, similar to professional sports and drug use. Performance enhancing drugs are banned for the health of the athletes, not for the "spirit of the game."