We've also lost the willingness to push back on stupid/evil ideas. I thought software engineers had options! We're in demand! We can pick and choose and find a company doing good! At least that's what HN tells me. Yet, when Bossman tells us "Go build the Torment Nexus" we say "Well, I guess I have no choice! Bossman told me to do it, and he's the one paying me!" And we go off and build the Torment Nexus (or Social Media) and the world is worse off for it.
Not I think we should be clear that it doesn't matter if we're in demand or not[0]. You always have a choice to not build the Torment Nexus. Sometimes it's harder than not. You might not know what you're building (you can always turn back when/if you find out). Some things aren't worth the money and it's important to always remember there are other ways to make money. You may be a cog in a machine, but all cogs serve a vital role, even when there is redundancy. People forget that without our labor (whoever "we" are and what "labor" we do), the Tournament Nexus can't be built.
But the trouble with the Tournament Nexus is that sometimes it's built without anyone actually intending to build it. It's more important that we remember this and stay vigilant. That we don't always dismiss others who say it's being built. No one likes to hear that because they think it means someone is claiming they're doing it purposefully. But did we also forget that the path to Hell is paved with good intentions? And that's what needs to be remembered, that evil is often built by people trying to do good.
[0] clearly we are though since it's our labor that created the wealth of the wealthiest people and businesses.
