ChinaTalk China's exploited tech workers fight back
Apr 10, 2019
In this discussion, Suji Yan, CEO of Dimension and co-author of the Anti-996 License, and Katt Gu, J.D. and PhD candidate in informatics, delve into the harsh realities of China's 996 work culture. They reveal how they mobilized tech workers against labor exploitation through innovative licensing that emphasizes ethical labor practices. Their insights touch on the evolving Chinese tech landscape and the importance of open-source software in fostering a fairer work environment, as they advocate for standardized labor rights in the industry.
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Suji's Open Source Journey
- Suji Yan's interest in software led him to critique Chinese tech companies' lack of open-source contributions.
- He then wrote an article about Microsoft and open source for Chinese media at age 19.
Linux's Impact
- Linux, started by Linus Torvalds, became a mainstream operating system, especially among developers.
- Its open-source nature made it ideal for cloud computing, which further propelled its growth.
Open Source Origins
- Open-source software began with academics sharing publicly funded work.
- Richard Stallman's GPL license aimed to prevent its privatization, inspiring Linus Torvalds.