Big Technology Podcast “It Just Felt Wrong.” Ex-Amazon VP Tim Bray On Why He Left
Aug 26, 2020
Tim Bray, former Amazon VP and renowned engineer, reveals the reasons behind his resignation as a protest against the company's treatment of whistleblowers. He shares insights on the ethical implications of firing activists and highlights the stark contrast between the experiences of Amazon's corporate and retail workers. Bray emphasizes the critical role of dissent in leadership and argues for the need for stronger government intervention to protect worker rights. His departure ignites a discussion on the evolving dynamics of employee activism in the tech industry.
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Bray's Resignation
- Tim Bray left his VP position at Amazon due to ethical concerns.
- He viewed the firing of whistleblowers as a toxic element of company culture.
Firing Whistleblowers
- Bray believes the firing of whistleblowers was not a typical corporate action.
- He felt it was ethically wrong and drew unnecessary attention to the issues raised.
Reason for Firings
- Tim Bray is unsure why Amazon fired the whistleblowers, despite the negative attention it brought.
- He acknowledges the increased awareness of worker conditions caused by the firings.