Those working on Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, the Hololens, are petitioning against the tech giant, as they’ve become upsetted by the potential uses for the device. Last year, Microsoft and the United States Army signed a contract together, so that the technology within the Hololens could be used to create an Integrated Visual Augmentation System, which would “increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide and engage before the enemy”. The contract is worth about $479 million dollars, with Microsoft’s president Brad Smith defending it, stating, “We believe in the strong defense of the United States and we want the people who defend it to have access to the nation's best technology, including from Microsoft."

A group of employees at Microsoft did not share the same views. Called “Microsoft Workers 4 Good”, they addressed an open letter to the Chief Executive and President of the company on February 22nd, demanding that Microsoft dissolve the contract, enact new ethical guidelines, and prevent the Hololens project from being used to create weapons technology. Some of the workers expressed discontent knowing that they helped develop the technology used in the headset, only for the contract with the Army to be signed after they had worked on Hololens, without their knowledge. Some alleged that they believed their work would instead be going towards the health field, or for space exploration. A petition formed by the same group received over 100 signatures in the first day.

Microsoft has not given an official response at this time, only saying that they “appreciate feedback from employees”.

Source

 

[kuwanger]

Funny thing about nukes, they prevent war by making war a scenario where even the winners lose.

The funny thing about that comment is that it at first glance seems true. It's also why in theory the NPT has been the worse decision ever made. If everyone had nukes, there'd be no war, right? Btw, I disagree with the whole "US would have nuked a few countries if not for the fact they had nukes of their own". We didn't nuke Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Even if by proxy country nuke involve that could explain some of that away, it doesn't explain all of it.

This is because as much as I was being sarcastic about it, the point of the sarcasm is precisely that the US has come to realize how morally questionable nukes are. And the NPT is precisely because the US only really learned it *after* they used a nuke. It's unclear if everyone else would learn by the US's--well--mistake. So, the "in theory" part about not having NPT probably in practice doesn't mean a nuke common, war free world. Quite the opposite seems likely if nukes were the norm.

 

[Enigma Hall]

War never change.

 

[MagnesG]

Not funny how many uneducated trolls bash the American military. Especially when their existence probably was, at one time, dependent upon it.

I hope this is directed to American citizens, if not yikes.

 

[Ratatattat]

I hope this is directed to American citizens, if not yikes.

Read a history book! But only after you remove the rose colored glasses.

 

[MagnesG]

Read a history book! But only after you remove the rose colored glasses.

Still a bit offensive imo, and I've seen a fair share of history books from 3rd world countries being altered to accommodate certain views. Sometimes we don't realize how comfortable it is to live in a bubble.

 

[Ratatattat]

And sometimes we don't give credit where credit is due based upon our biased opinions.

 

[Kioku]

And sometimes we don't give credit where credit is due based upon our biased opinions.

Definitely an arrogant stance when you realize how backwards our way of life is.

 

[Ratatattat]

Definitely an arrogant stance when you realize how backwards our way of life is.

Arrogant? The truth is not arrogant.

 

[JavaScribe]

If everyone had nukes, there'd be no war, right?

That's not quite what I meant, but it's basically what I said.

It's complicated, but you're mostly wrong.

Fair enough.

 

[comput3rus3r]

If you don't have enough brain cells to figure out why this is a bad idea watch Black Mirror: Season 3 Episode 5
"Men Against Fire"

 

[Arecaidian Fox]

I hate to say it, but scientific advancement has almost always been driven by the military machine. Space travel and rocketry? Thank the Germans and the V2. And then thank the Soviets, since without their own advancements, the American people and politicians would have almost certainly never created NASA out of fear of getting bombed from orbit (the Americans were originally fine just having the V2 tech, the military and politicians didn't really consider scientific advancement or space travel just for the sake of it). While I totally support people taking a stance on what their work is used for (even while at a large multinational company, where it's "not your work"), the fact of the matter is that with the world as it is now, war will continue to be what drives a large chunk of scientific progress. As sad as that is.

 

[chaoskagami]

And sometimes we don't give credit where credit is due based upon our biased opinions.

And sometimes, your "opinion" isn't backed by history. The USA has almost singlehandedly destabilized the entire middle-eastern region of the world, and every other country hates the USA's guts for a reason. Remember, blind nationalism helps nobody.

Are you in high school? I don't mean this as an insult, but if so, please know that your history books and curriculum are unabashedly propoganda and mono-viewpoint. When you enter college, the first thing your history professor will do is tell you to "unlearn" everything you learned about modern world history (1600s-present) in high school, because it is completely wrong.

 

[MagnesG]

Imagine being born in that country...

 

[Ratatattat]

And sometimes, your "opinion" isn't backed by history. The USA has almost singlehandedly destabilized the entire middle-eastern region of the world, and every other country hates the USA's guts for a reason. Remember, blind nationalism helps nobody.

Are you in high school? I don't mean this as an insult, but if so, please know that your history books and curriculum are unabashedly propoganda and mono-viewpoint. When you enter college, the first thing your history professor will do is tell you to "unlearn" everything you learned about modern world history (1600s-present) in high school, because it is completely wrong.

Apparently you were there?. And wow! you speak for all these countries such a big guy Wow!

 

[JavaScribe]

high school... propoganda and mono-viewpoint... completely wrong.

Took AP US History, first thing I learned was that the British colonies (and later the US) were real <harsh insult of choice> to the people who were here first. If that's propaganda, it's not exactly effective.

Though, to be fair, that's basically a college course. Still taken in high school, though. And I kind of knew already that Columbus (et al) was kind of a moron.
Every country (most?) has people with a wide variety of beliefs about their country. Not all Americans think the US government is some paragon of purity.

 

[FAST6191]

Is US high school history that bad?

Most things I have seen anywhere in the world are a bit simplified, and possibly a bit too far down the great man history path for my taste, but they do pull off the key events, generally get people to consider the veracity of sources, general get people to consider the idea of causes, possibly get people to consider multiple causes of events being related, some general idea of sociology and psychology as it commonly applies to history (mess with your people and you get a peasant revolt sort of thing) and otherwise give you a chance being able to consider things you have not yet met.

I have not subject myself to US high school eduction, nor read many of their typical books, as far as history is concerned but in conversations I have had with people I don't typically meet the same failings I see when other subjects are also somewhat lacking or taught in odd ways. I similarly seldom meet the "our country, purest bastion of good in the world" that seems to be going on here.

 

[MagnesG]

It’s not all rainbows and sunshines though, social issues such as extreme feminism and rage culture are so rampant, can’t even breathe easy these days living in the society. Sooner or later I will just move out, it’s too toxic.