Andrei's Google Talk

[Steven Schveighoffer]

On Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:38:43 -0400, retard <re at tard.com.invalid> wrote:

> Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:29:31 -0400, Steven Schveighoffer wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:26:37 -0400, retard <re at tard.com.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:54:38 -0400, Steven Schveighoffer wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:47:58 -0400, Russel Winder
>>>> <russel at russel.org.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> What is so good about the USA system that makes the various European
>>>>> systems something you wish to avoid?
>>>>
>>>> My entire experience with what the European system consists of comes
>>>> from this thread, that's all I'm basing my statement on :)  I did
>>>> predicate my statement with a pretty large if (which I believe isn't
>>>> true, but that's what people are telling me).
>>>
>>> My experience with the American system is that even if you do wrong
>>> (steal code), if you have enough cash on you, you can usually settle
>>> the case and clear your reputation. For example when Andrei's employer
>>> was accused of stealing the facebook code and idea, he paid a big $$$
>>> sum of money and they all promised to shut up. That's how things work
>>> in jolly good America. That's just my interpretation, don't know if
>>> it's true.
>>
>> How horrible!
>
> The point is, if you have enough money, you don't need to publicly admit
> you don't have any moral standards and you're a scumbag. It won't make a
> stain in your reputation. But I already discussed the ethical side of
> things with you and noticed our thinking differs.

People often settle not because they are wrong, but because it's cheaper.   
Rather be still in business and "wrong" than prove I'm right in the  
process of going bankrupt.

 From what I remember, you were on the "it's ok to steal as long as you  
feel justified" side of things, no?

-Steve