Soft Skills Engineering Episode 489: Ethical dilemma for a gambling app dev and ethical employers
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Dec 1, 2025 A software engineer grapples with the ethics of developing a gambling app, questioning whether to enhance accessibility despite potential harms. The hosts debate the societal impact of gambling and whether improved accessibility could inadvertently increase risk. They also discuss strategies for researching employers' ethical commitments, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions during interviews. Insights on assessing corporate culture and aligning personal values with workplace ethics are shared, encouraging a focus on making a positive impact.
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Accessibility Can Amplify Harm
- Making gambling apps accessible likely expands harm because more people, including those who may develop addictions, gain access.
- Jameson and Dave conclude expanding reach amplifies the moral problem rather than alleviating it.
Quit If The Work Violates Core Values
- If you have a serious moral objection to a product, consider finding a different job rather than rationalizing tweaks to reduce harm.
- Dave explicitly advises quitting work at a gambling company if it deeply troubles you.
Don’t Lose Sight Of The Bigger Question
- Debating a small improvement (accessibility) misses the larger ethical question of whether the product should exist at all.
- Jameson suggests ask whether you should be making the app available to anyone if it troubles you.