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- Comment on Dearborn, Michigan: Ford Rouge worker collapses, dies on shop floor 1 week ago:
Came here to say this. I wouldn't be surprised if he became obese because of the 33 years he put into the job, always working and not having enough time to himself to self-care.
- Comment on Attacks on Australia’s preferential voting system are ludicrous. We can be proud of it | Kevin Bonham 1 week ago:
The party I’m calling centrist is viewed as centre-left here by the media and general public.
Greens and Labor split each other’s votes, not Labor and LNP.Sounds reasonable enough, actually.
(Why about 20% of left-wing voters prefer the right-wing over the centre I will never understand.)
Hmm, puzzling. If they were USians then I'd suggest that it was because they confused over the name (liberals are always on the left, right?) but I digress.
Ah, but it was never that.
Isn't it though? As you wrote,
The precipitous drop in support for the LNP mostly went to help Labor
Just as it'd be confusing why left-wing voters would support a right-wing party over a centrist or centre-left party, it'd be equally confusing why right-wing voters would support a left-wing party (the Greens) over the centrist one. Well, sounds like they didn't.
(With IRV of course it's not that this happened because of a split vote but that because Labor had more support in the first preference that it survived over the Greens, when normally it'd be the other way around - so the specific reasons are different and a bit more complex, but this specific result which occurred is intuitive to someone who only understands FPTP. More generally, both FPTP and IRV suffer from spoiler effects (as explained in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_effect ) - while IRV is better than FPTP there are still cases where spoiler effects can happen and this example of a Green losing to a Labor due to a loss of support by the LNP is one of them - it just feels more intuitive to someone familiar with FPTP because this is the worst when it comes to spoiler effects).
- Comment on Attacks on Australia’s preferential voting system are ludicrous. We can be proud of it | Kevin Bonham 1 week ago:
we here in Australia had another parallel to your election.
I didn't realize this, but this is really interesting. Thank you for the hattip!
In essence, a drop in support for the right-wing candidates resulted in a centrist candidate winning where previously a left-wing candidate had won. That’s an aberrant result that doesn’t really match anyone’s intuition of how elections should work.
Unless, like me, you grew up in a FPTP system - then this is exactly what you'd expect. (As you already know in FPTP the votes would be split, so with the centrist and the right-wing splitting the vote, the left-wing would win. But if the right-wing drops out, then the votes would mostly go to the centrist instead, likely putting the centrist ahead now.)
I didn’t realise it was in response to a specific article, but I gathered it was a response to general comments from some in the LNP praising FPTP.
Accurate enough - the article that it was responding - well, it was basically what you wrote above.
I was responding primarily to the headline suggesting we should be “proud” of what is literally the worst acceptable voting system.
I took this with a fair bit of humor. I would have said that it's not the worst voting system because FPTP is worse, but then,
(Personally, I consider FPTP completely unacceptable and anti-democratic; it should not even be part of any discussion among serious people.)
So actually, you are right. Agree 100% here.
a proportional system would be better.
And here too.
- Comment on Attacks on Australia’s preferential voting system are ludicrous. We can be proud of it | Kevin Bonham 1 week ago:
Agree 100% - this was a non-ludicrous but entirely reasonable and well-reasoned response.
That being said I do think there's many good points made in the article. The Greens are doing better in Australia, while they hurt quite a bit here in Canada due to FPTP being in use. And it really hurts to see the NDP fall so much, which likely would not have occurred if Canada had the same system as Australia.
The linked article is a response to https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/preferential-voting-system-ousts-half-a-liberal-ministry-of-talent/news-story/7cd4e33e0a05e786a8c4943645c5525d?amp&nk=d1a6519026cb614e2502f09a887f82c4-1747124133 and I think Canada makes the perfect case for that article being wrong - Canada actually has FPTP but the leader of Canada's CPC still lost his seat. If FPTP had been in play, perhaps all those Liberals would have still lost their seats, as folks started using strategic voting instead to ensure a Labour win (but also then hurting independents and other parties like the Greens) - which is exactly how it played out in Canada.
- Comment on Gave him an offer, then took it away. Thanks PayPal. 2 weeks ago:
I mean it's not really needed in Europe where true legal rights exist for employees, right?
This is more of a "only in the USA" kind of thing.
- Comment on Gave him an offer, then took it away. Thanks PayPal. 2 weeks ago:
My solution to this is that I accept the other job offer, and I don't quit until the night before I start my first day in the new one. As a result I've never spent a single day unemployed. If something I'm counting on doesn't come through I'm already at my backup plan.
If companies won't be loyal to us in this way, why do we owe any loyalty to them in return?
- Comment on Software engineer lost his $150K-a-year job to AI—he’s been rejected for 800 jobs and forced to DoorDash and live in a trailer to make ends meet 2 weeks ago:
In a working paper released earlier this month, economists Anders Humlum and Emilie Vestergaard looked at the labor market impact of AI chatbots on 11 occupations, covering 25,000 workers and 7,000 workplaces in Denmark in 2023 and 2024.
Hmm, Denmark you say?
Also Denmark,
Denmark doesn’t have at-will employment. Employers may only terminate an employee with just cause and sufficient notice. Just cause can include financial reasons or employee misconduct.
https://www.rippling.com/country-hiring/denmark-employees
Actually, perhaps this points at a way forward... we should employment laws in the US that match those of Denmark.
Not following how his inability to find a job has any connection to AI?
It's in the fortune article:
some of those few interviews have been with an AI agent instead of a human.
“I feel super invisible,” K tells Fortune. “I feel unseen. I feel like I’m filtered out before a human is even in the chain.”That is, he's getting fewer chances to establish a human-to-human connection to an interviewer, which is hurting his ability to get hired.
The bigger picture is that folks are indeed losing jobs to AI, have had their jobs cut because of AI, see
- Comment on Software engineer lost his $150K-a-year job to AI—he’s been rejected for 800 jobs and forced to DoorDash and live in a trailer to make ends meet 2 weeks ago:
Software engineer here - I make more than this guy did and I have roughly the same amount of experience in the industry that he does (perhaps a smidge more, going off of his linkedin profile).
For folks who are saying that there's something off about this guy - that would not have mattered two or three years ago. At most he would have just been seen as a highly talented dev who was also slightly quirky.
For those who say it's not about AI and more about the economy - well, maybe. We do have a couple of major ongoing wars right now and moves over the last couple of months by the recent administration of the US haven't helped.
But I was around during the crash back in 2008, and this still feels different. Harder. Before, I had recruiters just banging on my door. Now, it's tough to past the automated screenings unless I have a contact at the company who can refer me there.
Meanwhile, I'm hearing from my co-workers about how great AI is - how they ran their code through it and it came up with a bunch of unit tests for them and some boilerplate code. Vibe coding is already a thing. So is using AI to write your resume and cover letters and applying to jobs.
Likewise, I look upon tools like Devin.ai with increasing trepidation. Today, LLMs aren't good enough to replace a single senior dev, despite a lot of investment happening to move things in exactly this direction. It probably won't happen tomorrow, or even next year. But in 25?
Let's just say that this article really hit home for me.
The other point here is - the day that a person with no coding ability can ask an LLM to create and deploy an entire website, write and manage a brand new app from scratch, is going to be a day that's a win for the people. We want to lower the barriers to entry here, to give this highly elite power to others. Actually, there shouldn't be an elite at all - there should just be a democracy where everyone is equally empowered to create and build great things.
Working in tech will not remain this vaulted, lofty place for much longer. If we aren't content creators, or controlling company owners, then ultimately tech workers like myself are in the same position as any other kind of worker - we work for someone else and serve only at their sufferance.
- Comment on Why are employees so demanding?! 2 weeks ago:
Right? It's not a difficult concept to understand, not at all.
- Comment on Klarna CEO says AI helped company shrink workforce by 40% 2 weeks ago:
Not AI related, but reminds me of what happened at X when Musk let a bunch of folks quit and then had to beg for some of them to return. This is another example of a poorly thought out boomerang.
- Submitted 2 weeks ago to workreform@lemmy.world | 0 comments
- Submitted 3 weeks ago to australianpolitics@aussie.zone | 14 comments
- Comment on What can the global left learn from Mexico – where far-right politics hasn’t taken off? 3 weeks ago:
Rather than developing a Mexican brand of far-right politics, Verástegui tried to transplant a distinctly American flavour
That was probably why. Though I suppose that it doesn't explain why no one else tried to innovate a more native far-right brand.
2024 might otherwise have been a tough year, but 2025 was a lot better. Just look at the recent elections in Australia and Canada.
- Comment on Want happier employees? Start with a 32-hour workweek – and 4 weeks vacation. 3 weeks ago:
Also worth mentioning from the article,
I work fully in the office. But I think remote work is better for work-life balance. I don't have the option to work remote
Well, why not? Covid showed how great this can work .. but so many companies went back to 20th century norms as soon as the pandemic ended*
- AS per https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/who-pandemic-not-emergency-1.6833321 the global emergency ended on May 2023 - almost two years ago to the day, but covid itself still circulates.
- Comment on Building The Coexistion Protocol – A decentralized, fair, and transparent economic system! 2 months ago:
Challenges and Concerns
Implementation Complexity: While the protocol aims to simplify decentralized systems, the actual implementation of a robust and efficient decentralized framework can be complex. Ensuring scalability, security, and user-friendliness will be significant challenges, especially as the system grows.
Governance and Decision-Making: Achieving true democratic governance in a decentralized system can be difficult. Ensuring that all voices are heard and that decisions are made effectively without falling into the trap of inefficiency or gridlock is a critical concern. The proposed consensus-based decision-making might face challenges in practice, particularly in larger groups.
Economic Viability: The non-speculative value system represents an interesting shift from traditional economic models. However, establishing a stable and sustainable economic model that rewards contributions equitably while preventing exploitation and ensuring long-term viability is a complex task. The challenge of ensuring that value is accurately tracked and distributed can be significant.
Adoption and Transition: The transition from traditional economic systems to a decentralized framework like the Coexistion Protocol will require significant cultural and systemic shifts. Gaining buy-in from established institutions, businesses, and individuals accustomed to traditional hierarchical structures may be challenging. Moreover, potential resistance from those who benefit from the current power dynamics may hinder adoption.
Regulatory Environment: Decentralized systems often face uncertain regulatory landscapes, and the Coexistion Protocol would likely attract scrutiny from regulators. Navigating legal frameworks while maintaining the principles of decentralization and inclusivity could be a significant hurdle.
Technological Barriers: The reliance on technology means that access to the Coexistion Protocol could be limited for those without the necessary digital literacy or access to technology. Ensuring equitable access to the system will be crucial for achieving its goals.
- Comment on Building The Coexistion Protocol – A decentralized, fair, and transparent economic system! 2 months ago:
The Coexistion Protocol presents an ambitious vision for a decentralized economic framework aimed at fostering fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. Its goals of equitable work allocation, decentralized governance, and a non-speculative value system are indeed compelling and align with ongoing trends in the digital economy, particularly those driven by blockchain technology and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). However, while the concept is innovative and appealing, several factors must be considered regarding its feasibility and realism.
Strengths and Opportunities
Decentralization and Transparency: By leveraging blockchain and decentralized governance models, the protocol can enhance transparency and trust among participants. This is a crucial element in today's economic environment, where trust in institutions is waning.
Merit-Based Allocation: The emphasis on merit-based work allocation can potentially democratize access to opportunities, allowing individuals to participate and thrive based on their skills rather than their connections or backgrounds.
Integrated Education: The focus on embedding education and skill development within the economic framework is particularly relevant in addressing skill gaps and preparing workers for evolving market demands.
Collaborative Ownership: The idea of shared ownership and collective responsibility can foster a sense of community and shared purpose, encouraging collaboration over competition.
- Comment on Building The Coexistion Protocol – A decentralized, fair, and transparent economic system! 2 months ago:
ChatGPT seems to approve!
- Comment on Boeing union workers Win tentative contract with 35 percent wage increase. 7 months ago:
Congratz to them!
- Comment on Amazon cloud boss says employees unhappy with 5-day office mandate can leave 7 months ago:
Happy to show myself the door!
- Comment on Home Depot Orders Corporate Staff to Take 8-Hour Retail Shifts 7 months ago:
You make a good point here. This is a good thing - corporate will see things that are obvious from the job itself (e.g. needing to provide backbraces or such) but it's not a replacement for a union or anything like that.
- Comment on Home Depot Orders Corporate Staff to Take 8-Hour Retail Shifts 7 months ago:
That's good but I'd prefer it to be longer, like one week as per the top comment. More time to pick up on the flow of a given store, sometimes you don't get all the unwritten rules all at once.
- Comment on Howard Schultz violated labor law by telling employee ‘if you’re not happy at Starbucks, you can go work for another company’ 7 months ago:
So happy that the court sided with the side of obviousness here.
- Comment on 33,000 Boeing workers lose health care coverage 7 months ago:
Exactly this.
Though I wonder what will happen now that Boeing has done this evil deed. Can the union itself step in and continue health coverage until the strike is resolved? Or are the strikers just screwed if they get sick?
- Comment on American Airlines Flight Attendants Just Won Boarding Pay 7 months ago:
Well, that's disappointing. Totally do not understand this culture of doing work and not getting paid for it.
- Comment on American Airlines Flight Attendants Just Won Boarding Pay 7 months ago:
Agreed!
Flight attendants typically are not paid until the aircraft doors close. All that greeting, seating, sorting out problems, and assistance with bags is off the clock.
This makes no sense. This is a major part of their job. Imagine what would happen if they stopped doing this function altogether - boarding would become unbearable.
Next I'll find out that the pay stops as soon as the doors open and they're not getting paid to help people off the plane or greet them. (Seriously, I hope I don't find this out because it's not true.)
- Comment on Coliseum concession workers say they won't get severance, health insurance after last A's game 7 months ago:
Sounds like the company is also going out of business... typically we can't expect a bankrupt company to provide these benefits. This is why there needs to be a gov't payer of last resort here for these sort of things.
- Comment on [deleted] 7 months ago:
The manager used his own resume. They were looking for candidates with Angular experience. Ergo this is a manager with tech skills.
I shudder to think what would happen with a non-tech manager - likely they'd give up and close the position after not finding anyone, without ever questioning the process.
- Comment on Raise Wages? No Need — McDonald’s Is Hiring Inmates Instead 8 months ago:
This is really bad. I'm sure they make sure that the inmates are not dangerous and have a good history of following the rules etc before putting them here.
The reason why inmates don't have to make minimum wage and can't refuse to work is that the work they do in prison is supposed to be part of the justice, after being decided on with due process.
The work they should be assigned is meant to help reform them and get them ready to reintegrate back into society.
But - what due process was used to assign them the torturous work that's a modern USA fast food restaurant? There's literally no benefit at all to the inmate in this situation. How does it make sense to abuse criminal justice loopholes to enrichen some of the world's largest megacorps?
- Comment on These Alabama Workers Were Swamped by Medical Debt. Then Their Employer Stepped In. 8 months ago:
I had similar thoughts. The employer is offering a health clinic and a pharmacy, and now a summer camp for the kids.
What next, a grocery store? I might be excessively pessimistic, but I worry this may eventually turn into one of those mining company towns. The company owner is benevolent so the employees are happy for now, but it doesn't seem like the employees have any real power or say here...
- Comment on Labor board confirms Amazon drivers are employees, in finding hailed by union 8 months ago:
So it's not uncommon for customer facing subcontractors to be given the gear of and wear the uniform of the lead company. In addition this makes even more sense for temps - who originally were suppose to just be the dudes and dudettes who filled in when someone got sick or had jury duty. And of course in these cases the person is typically still an employee - just of the temp/subcontracting company.
But what happens is that these drivers are clearly not temps (they stick around Amazon too long) and for a true subcontractor, the managers of that subcontractor would have a lot more say over the conditions of work for their employees (i.e. being able to mandate vacation/time-off for individual employees, exceptions to some of the stricter rules (like no car singing???)) as well as working for multiple companies, instead of just Amazon alone.
In this case Amazon was indeed a joint employer - they had too much control over the employee. If the union tried to negotiate with the subcontractor on behalf of the employee, they'd get told "we can't do that because of Amazon" but then Amazon would refuse to come to the table. So either the union had to give up, or even if the subcontractor diligently came to a reasonable agreement with the union - Amazon would abruptly cancel the contract and force the subcontractor into receivership or something. Then Amazon could wash its hands clean of the matter and start fresh by looking for a new subcontractor.
Perhaps an employee might still have some rights here - like filing against Amazon for being a party to a breach of contract or something - but I could easily imagine this getting signed away into binding arbitration and the employee promptly losing.
Fortunately, this ruling under the new joint employer rule puts an end to that kind of nonsense. Now Amazon HAS to participate or be punished like any ordinary employer - it can no longer hide behind some fly-by-night delivery service partner company.
The nice thing about the NLRB is that, like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, they have the ability to sue directly as a party (rather than having the employee being the plantiff) which bypasses any arbitration agreements (since the NLRB obviously never signed one). (Source: https://www.wardandsmith.com/articles/the-nlrb-on-what-employers-get-wrong )