Dear Designer
Dear Designer: Yes, I Will Shame the Workers
You have the right to make a living—but not on the backs of others
“That’s not a good look,” came the reply.
“What’s not a good look?” I asked.
“Shaming workers.”
This was in response to a tweet I sent out a few weeks ago, pointing out some new horrible Facebook behavior. (There are many of these tweets to choose from in my feed. Pick one.) The tweet was addressed to Facebook workers and went something like “Facebook employees, this is where you work” with a link to an article about Facebook’s newest horrible behavior. I’ve posted the same type of tweet to Twitter workers as well.
But still, I was taken aback by the accusation that I was shaming workers.
Was my intention to shame workers? My intention was to remind the workers at Facebook of the effect of their labor. What the effects of their labor cost society. As I’ve said many times, you are responsible for the work you put into the world. I firmly believe that, and I hope you do as well.
But also, it probably was my intention to shame those workers — if only a subconscious intention. So I will own it. Yes, I will shame workers. Because, Lord — some of these tech workers…
