From Idealism to Capitalism: The Fall of Juul
Adam Bowen and James Monsees, the subjects of the Netflix docuseries “Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul,” originally set out to make a positive impact on the world. However, their company’s role in getting young people addicted to nicotine has overshadowed their initial intentions. As the money flowed in, decisions were made that prioritized profits over ethics, turning the once heroes into the villains of their own stories.
The Broken Promises of Silicon Valley
In the early days of the tech industry, there was a belief that people would truly matter in this field. From the promise of social media to the mission to rid the world of tobacco, these idealistic notions have been proven wrong time and time again. When faced with the choice between morality and financial gain, corporate leaders in Silicon Valley consistently choose the path that brings in the most money, mirroring the behavior seen in other industries.
Exploitation in the Gig Economy
Uber and Lyft, both born out of a desire to improve transportation, have recently come under fire for their mistreatment of drivers. Uber has agreed to pay $290 million to settle a wage theft case in New York, while Lyft owes $38 million. The state’s attorney general accuses the companies of systematically cheating their predominantly immigrant drivers, who rely on these jobs to support their families.
Additionally, DoorDash, a tech company in the food delivery industry, recently announced a new feature that informs customers that orders without tips may take longer to be delivered. Instead of paying drivers a livable wage, the responsibility is shifted onto customers. While this may prompt some customers to tip, it is not a reliable source of income for drivers. The company frames this arrangement as a reflection of customer values, rather than taking accountability itself.
Profit Over People: The Widening Income Gap
The rise of the tech industry was once seen as a solution to economic inequality. However, it has only exacerbated the problem. The bottom 90% of Americans used to receive around 65% of the nation’s income, but now they are left fighting over less than half. Tech startups, once filled with hope and aspirations, eventually prioritize profits over people when they reach a crossroads. The pursuit of capital has become more important than the importance of labor.
Exploitative Practices, Direct and Indirect
Even when tech companies are not the direct employer, they indirectly benefit from exploitative practices. In one case, two individuals used the H-1B visa program to deceive skilled tech workers, promising full-time employment but actually paying them on an as-needed basis. These workers were trapped due to restrictions on their visas, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. This scenario mirrors the conditions reported in Saudi Arabia, where migrants paid recruitment firms for employment with companies like Amazon, only to find themselves forced to work in poor conditions for poverty wages.
The Broken Promise of Tech
The tech industry was meant to revolutionize the world in positive ways, but it has repeatedly failed to fulfill this promise. The pursuit of profit often takes precedence over making the world a better place. As Congress holds hearings on financial corruption, it is becoming increasingly evident that the tech sector is just as culpable as any legacy industry. The story of tech is one of missed opportunities for meaningful change and a prioritization of exploitation over ethics.