This is why I have no qualms about piracy. The workers get shafted either way.
Comment on The FTC isn’t too happy with Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard layoffs
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
Microsoft has realized it can do absolutely anything and that the government will do absolutely nothing. And what is the point of all of this? A few Already, enormously wealthy executives get a few more millions of dollars? Who fucking cares? The real important thing is the people doing the work to create a product that millions of others enjoy. That they have a job and can earn a livelihood. But none of that matters to the psychopaths who run these corporations. Why do we continue to allow this to happen? I don’t know why I even bother writing comments anymore. I’ve depressed myself.
Malfeasant@lemmy.world 9 months ago
MxM111@kbin.social 9 months ago
What’s the alternative? Communism? State ownership of the means of production? Those are worse.
yeahiknow3@lemmings.world 9 months ago
Yes, the only options are crony capitalism and communism. Nailed it.
MxM111@kbin.social 9 months ago
Did not say crony. And yes, there are alternatives like feudalism, you think they worth mentioning? And I specifically mentioned state ownership too, so, you can count socialism (as economic system there too).
corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 9 months ago
Did not say crony
It’s silent, but it’s always there. It’s like the silent q in ‘cat’.
bartolomeo@suppo.fi 9 months ago
Doesn’t it seem like communism and capitalism have the same end game? Company towns and one company that produces everything and you have no options. The only difference I guess is that under capitalism, the owners of the means of production are not accountable to anyone and can not be removed whereas under communism the owners of the means of production are democratically elected members of the workforce that are accountable to the people and can be removed if need be.
Are you sure you’re not confusing communism with authoritarianism or fascism? Capitalism is more closely associated with the latter than communism.
MxM111@kbin.social 9 months ago
In any place where state ownership of means of manufacturing was implemented it lead to dictatorship or dictatorship like state. So, one can see how one can confuse them. But no, I do not confuse them, for one is economic system, and another is political.
So, let me ask, in that model that you describe, who owns the means of manufacturing?
Ookami38@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
Why must the state own anything, for it to be a more equitable situation? The people who do the work should own the work, all getting a say in what happens, in terms of what they’re doing, where they’re going, and who’s getting fired. The closest thing to “owning” an individual would have is a person, or likely a team, functioning as spokespersons for negotiating with the state or other companies, but only to communicate how the workers have chosen to conduct business, the only real power they have being communication.
bartolomeo@suppo.fi 9 months ago
You mean in communism? I’m no expert but I believe it’s the workers, even though “owning” doesn’t mean quite the same as we use it now.
wrath_of_grunge@kbin.social 9 months ago
i'm all for the government breaking up corps, or stopping mergers, but this one needed to happen. however much it cost to get Bobby Kotick gone, is a net positive.
besides, we're talking about spending Microsoft's money. they fucking got it. so what's the fuss?
if the deal had been blocked, how would that have been better for the industry? also, probably the more important question, how would that have been better for the consumer?
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
I’m not upset about the merger. I’m upset about Microsoft lying to the government and probably getting away with it. And the money should be used to pay the employees who actually create the products, not gone too enrich the assholes in charge, who think they do important jobs.
Defaced@lemmy.world 9 months ago
You’re kidding right? Bobby Kotick doesn’t give a shit, he’s laughing all the way to the bank. He’s the only winner in this situation other than Microsoft. Regardless of the Microsoft merger, he was on his way out, he would’ve left even if it hadn’t gone through, this just gave him an excuse to leave quicker and get a fat paycheck on his way out.
It’s also not about spending Microsoft’s money. Yes they have it, but consolidating so many developers under one roof removes an aspect of the competitive market. Which historically means less competition, higher prices, less innovation and poor quality control.
But I mean, hey, you get CoD on gamepass now! That’s pretty cool right?! Right…?
dunestorm@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Blizzard don’t make Blizzard games anymore, all of the original staff left a very long time ago. They are just Blizzard in name and nothing else.
ExpectedWall@lemmy.world 9 months ago
The only way to fight back is with your wallet. Unfortunately we are SUBSTANTIALLY outnumbered. It is what it is.
hglman@lemmy.ml 9 months ago
Who is outnumbered ?
bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 9 months ago
People that are willing to abstain from purchasing a game in protest versus the “shut up and take my money” masses
InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
I’m still boycotting World of Warcraft, even though I’m a big fan of Warcraft and RPGs.
I simply refuse to pay a subscription.
Luckily, that worked well and the game didn’t take off at all.
kyle@lemm.ee 9 months ago
When your weapons are dollars, we are woefully ill equipped