[JoeAltmaier]

Texas has prisons out in the dusty plains, where prisoners are not bound nor fenced. Its the distance that makes it a prison.

So in this way a very remote campus IS a prison - you have no practical choice but to exist in that ecosystem.

[sokoloff]

I understand the analogy, but anyone outside tech that reads an argument like that, especially if they've ever BEEN to an actual prison (even as a visitor), will have an extremely hard time hearing anything else about your argument.

[JoeAltmaier]

Here's another one. A prison is a state of mind. I find the cute circus campuses offensive and distasteful. Stuck in one day in and day out, I would crave freedom.

[fallinghawks]

And here's one for you. People who work for Google are there by choice. They couldn't be happier to be working with a bunch of like-minded, innovative people. Surprise!

(I don't work for Google. I know several who do.)

[JoeAltmaier]

Yeah; young people do lots of things to be part of a group. And they like shiny things. And they don't know any better.

Sure there are other kinds of young people, lets not pigeonhole them, but they're not working at Google is my guess.

[fallinghawks]

I assure you, you are in no danger of Google security officers pointing a gun at you and saying "You're going to work for Google now."

[fallinghawks]

Yeah, right, prisoners. SF is the sole oasis of civilization on the SF Peninsula, surrounded by 35 miles of desert plains that happen to be covered with offices and restaurants, a couple airports, and public transportation.

[JoeAltmaier]

Maybe a 'wasteland' is a better term. Mile upon mile of cookie-cutter cityscape. A prison for the soul.