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Post by mistermuncher on Mar 16, 2009 13:23:28 GMT -5
I'm running my own IT support business, going out to homes and places of work, smacking systems with my hammer of make-work, not charging the earth, and generally trying not to be too evil in any of my dealings. Shit, I even pay my taxes and stuff.
Now, at the moment, I'm on the horns of a dilemma. Is it wrong for me to accept business from woo-woo merchants who have made their money from selling bullshit medicines and false hope to the gullible? If I make their machines work, am I an accessory after the fact?
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Dan
Full Member
Posts: 228
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Post by Dan on Mar 16, 2009 13:41:09 GMT -5
Yes. But then, I'm sure you have bills to pay, and we all have to make compromises with our morals. (I've never been happy with working for an employer with military connections, but after about 7 years of unemployment, I was in no position to turn down a job offer.)
You could always "find" some hitherto-unsuspected problem on the client's PC such that it takes 3 times as long to fix, and costs them 5 times as much....
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Post by canadian mojo on Mar 16, 2009 13:41:28 GMT -5
In your opinion, was Oppenheimer a bad man? (I know, way over the top)
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Post by Oriet on Mar 16, 2009 14:04:04 GMT -5
Only if you set up their webpages. Just working on their hardware I'd say no, because it's not like you'd blame a plumber or electrician as being an accessory after the fact to what the customer does.
Although, even if you are setting up their webpages you aren't responsible for their content, just making sure they work.
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Post by Old Viking on Mar 16, 2009 15:11:20 GMT -5
Over the years I have refused to write advertising copy for New Agers, religious nutbags and astrologers. I felt there was enough ignorance in the world without my modest talent contributing to it. But I was in a position in which I could afford to do this. If you can afford it (quite literraly), tell 'em to fork off. If it will seriously affect your financial position, pragmatism wins the day.
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Post by Paradox on Mar 16, 2009 17:21:28 GMT -5
Now, at the moment, I'm on the horns of a dilemma. Is it wrong for me to accept business from woo-woo merchants who have made their money from selling bullshit medicines and false hope to the gullible? If I make their machines work, am I an accessory after the fact? I would say it is. Even a business has a responsibility to act in a moral manner. If you believe that what they're doing is immoral, I think it would be immoral to help them do it. Use your best judgment. |
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Post by mistermuncher on Mar 16, 2009 18:01:18 GMT -5
Pragmatism is the problem, really. I honestly can't afford to knock much work back these days. Not just the oney, I'm a "young" business, and any bad word is purest poison. However...
The computer I'm working on is fairly well bucked. I'm going to have to completely restore everything on it, and have made them aware that, if I proceed, I can make no guarantees as to what I can recover in terms of data. In theory, I could restore to them an operational computer, but without details such as mailing lists, client databases, that sort of thing. It seems to me to be the nearest to "the right thing" my circumstances will allow at the moment. I make my money, their operation is still hobbled. A few less people get their mailshot, a few less people buying water at 50 quid an ounce...
It's an awkward position to be in. Fuck this credit crunch.
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Post by Oriet on Mar 16, 2009 20:02:52 GMT -5
Well in that case I'd see if you can do that, since you've made them aware that you very well might not be able to recover the data. Just appear sad that you couldn't recover it, to gain some sympathy from them that way (it's amazing what a tiny bit of ass kissing can get others to do; just don't overdo it), and I think it'd be fine.
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