I think that this is still a rather reductivist argument. It assumes two things that people can not simultaneously be thankful for something, but critical of the why and how it is being implemented

I actually think that it is more important to be critical of the "good" things than the things one outright objects to, as this actually guides progress in a better direction, with more understanding and usually a better solution.

A boycott is not telling Google to "screw off." It is a statement, usually with explanation, of why someone will not participate in something. Off-list, I have actually suggested many ways to improve such a hackathon, which would likely change at least my perspective on it. But a boycott that states why a group is refusing to participate is not "fuck off," it's saying "this is problematic and we choose not to."

On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 4:29 PM, Adam Munich <adam@aperture.systems> wrote:

<rant>

I'm far from rich, I just work my fucking ass off & take huge risks so
I may someday be.

I understand the anti-capitalist sentiments many at the omni share;
the system favors the rich, and to get things done you really need to
be on a war path. But don't forget, much of the amenities you enjoy in
life today are only possible through the hard effort of entrepreneurs
in the past, most of whom, started from the bottom and never stopped
fighting.

Telling google to screw off is a poor choice built on a shaky foundation
of pride, if you ask me. The more useful solution would be to welcome them,
and take any time you so chose during the hackathon to suggest improvements
to their program, and the rationale behind them.

</rant>
---
Adam Munich -- Inventor, Physicist, Engineer
Web: http://adammunich.com
Tel: +1-650-452-0554

Be • knowledgeable • social • patient • fearless • compassionate •
fun • humble • forgiving.
Be a leader

On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 3:59 PM, yar <yardenack@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 8:54 PM, Adam Munich <adam@aperture.systems> wrote:
>>> Instead of arguing, could we instead *be thankful* that google is willing to sponsor healthcare innovation, and not distributing the cash as dividends to their shareholders like most of corporate america?
>
> To me this just sounds like: "You can't criticize anything I do,
> because I'm rich".
>
> In theory, inviting shitty things to Sudo & Omni gives us a big
> opportunity to challenge them. But doing that without just getting
> co-opted would take a lot of work and struggle and I don't know if we
> have the resources for that right now, let alone the risk of failing
> to challenge them enough and just being complicit. Also, if we
> specifically reject this event and tell them exactly why, and what
> kind of things we'd like to see from them in the future, that's also a
> way to influence them. If they're really well meaning, they'd listen
> and take it to heart. But if all they really care about is money and
> prestige, then they'll just smile and move on and we didn't waste all
> our time and energy. Not holding my breath, personally.

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