Complex internet services fail in interesting ways as they grow in size and complexity. Twitter’s recent issues show how failures emerge slowly over time as relationships between components degrade. Meta’s quick launch of Threads demonstrates how platform investments can compound over time, allowing them to quickly build on existing infrastructure and expertise. While layoffs may be needed, companies must be strategic to maintain what matters most - the ability to navigate complex systems and deliver value. Twitter’s inability to ship new features shows they have lost this expertise, while Threads may out-execute them due to Meta’s platform advantages. The case of Twitter and Threads provides a lesson for companies on who they want to be during times of optimization.

    • MasterBuilderEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Sure. Let’s see… There’s this: Tech Layoffs Likely Pose No Deterrent to Record H-1B Visa Demand

      Continued growth in H-1B registrations despite mass layoffs undermines the idea that the demand is based on labor shortages, said Ron Hira, an associate professor of political science at Howard University.

      Tech workers willing to rake lower pay

      This illustrates how widespread these layoffs are: More than 219,000 global tech workers have lost their jobs this year

      In every other industry, hiring continues to be robust, yet pretty much the entire tech industry is in a depression. Why? Even the companies having “weak” earnings last quarter continue to do well financially.

      Outsourcing hubs like India to bag 30% to 40% of jobs lost to tech layoffs

      Big tech doubles down on union busting as labor movement intensifies

      • upstream@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Thanks.

        Again though, I think the why’s point back to the same thing.

        Salaries in tech in the US has been boosted by ridiculous high demands.

        Accountants don’t understand that skills and knowledge is something you pay for and just see that one dev in India costs 1/5 of one dev in the US.

        Heck, even I’m cheap compared to the average US devs and I live in Norway.

        But why do all these other companies do the same thing? Because they’re bandwagon companies. If FANG does something they’ll do the same.

        I also read once that recessions hit the tech industry first, but it also bounces back first.

        If that’s correct I have no idea, and I’ve yet to go through a proper recession in my career, but it’s definitely clear that we are busy making one.

        All the companies going like “we need to be inflation winners”, I know mine does.

        As for outsourcing to India, that always goes in waves. Hard to build good tech there. It’s only cheap in the beginning. Too much instability and job switching.

        • MasterBuilderEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Note that I have never seen or met anyone who earns more than $160,000 as a developer. That is itself considered a huge sum of money here in the U.S.A. I am in the northeast, and it’s the same in the mid-Atlantic.

          I think references to 300-600k pay is bullshit - a unicorn presented to make everyone outside the industry think we’re priveliged and have nothing to complain about. It’s a strawman, a convenient myth.

          • upstream@beehaw.orgEnglish
            2·
            1 year ago

            160k is still a ridiculous amount of money.

            In Europe that’s about where they max out.

            Fresh out of university in Europe you’ll be lucky to fetch more than 65k, give or take for currency.

            Not many that goes over 120k while still retaining a developer title (and job description), but I suppose we’re getting there quicker with the current inflation rates.

            • MasterBuilderEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              Yep, the reality here is closer to yours. Of course right now one must earn 150k to be able to afford a house, costing on average $400k now for a small house) and most make less than 70k.