Technical Virtue Signaling
Tags: virtuesignaling, nopoliticsincode
Published: 2018-10-21 23:16:22

---
title: Technical Virtue Signaling
published: true
description: Virtue signaling has crawled its way into my field and it really does not belong there.
tags: virtuesignaling, nopoliticsincode
---

If you want the youtube version of this video, just [click here](https://youtu.be/epOoiDjYcxY) and enjoy.

# What is "Virtue Signaling"?

I spend the beginning of the video somewhat describing what it is. Honestly, just Google it or something. You don't need me to define it.

# Tech companies do it

When a company asks you to use some complex algorithm or solve a crazy problem that you'll probably never run across then I'd say that's virtue signaling.

To me, the company is saying "Look at how cool we are. We know these algorithms or structures or maths or [insert some cool buzzword here] and that means we're hip and you should work for us".

Here's the *real* question: Will you use said algorithm, structure, paradigm or [insert some cool buzzword here] in your day to day job? If the answer is no then don't interview developers with those questions unless you have a very specific reason to.

There are cases where having an interview question like that serves a purpose. Maybe the interviewer just wants to see what your thought process is like and how you solve problems. That's fine, I understand that.

Some of the best interviews I've been on (and can say others have been on) have been more like tackling actual real problems that exist in the company and programming something together or shadowing someone as you work through something. That gives you a realistic scenario of what the job will actually require of you and how you'll deal with it.

My favorite ridiculous interview question: If you were a coin and you got stuck in a blender how would you get out?

# Developers do it

I saw this recently: A developer stated, on Twitter, that people are not real programmers unless they are programming in x, y or z fashion.

In reality what's being said is "Look at how good I am. I'm a real programmer and you're not and here's why you're not".

You're adding unnecessary overhead to your job. You don't have to politicize anything or define things to such a degree that you are willing to clamp down on people and label them (or remove labels) based on your own definitions of what is or is not programming.

You carry that with you at work. "Well if you're not using this complex algorithm to solve this problem then you're not really a programmer but I am because I do use it so just listen to me and solve this problem how I tell you to."

Get out. That's not constructive. You're also not programming if you're saying things like that.

# Big massive tech companies are doing it

I won't mention which companies but there seems to be a rise in banning or muting people with views that aren't considered "Politically Correct". You are on one side of a political spectrum that isn't agreeable? Blocked. You are skeptical of some science that seems to be generally accepted? Blocked.

That's virtue signaling. My job, as a programmer, involves programming ways to access, manipulate and disseminate information. The idea of blocking people because they don't agree with your or even the general consensus seems backwards for a tech company to start meddling in.

# Conclusion

It's stupid and ridiculous and doesn't belong to, at least, specific areas of the tech industry.

If you disagree with me or think I've said something stupid, I would love to hear from you.