[vdaniuk]

I remember you. You are the one who was defending Eich and then HFT and now you are defending Goldman Sachs.

You state in your profile that you are a student of philosophy. As a person who studies philosophy too, I am really curious, how would you describe your philosophical views?

[Mikeb85]

I believe that individuals are allowed to hold private opinions (like Eich), and we as a society have decided as much.

As for HFT and Goldman Sachs, people are simply bashing based on jealousy of more successful individuals in a different sector, without actually investigating the topic. Like here, where apparently many don't actually read the GPL.

As for philosophy, that's a topic in itself, but let's just put it this way - I had one foot inside the door of a monastery (figuratively), instead chose a different path. Regardless, in worldly matters I prefer a rational approach to knee jerk sentimentality and sensationalism..

[butterfi]

"...simply bashing based on jealousy of more successful individuals in a different sector..."

Or people are tired of getting ripped off by white-collar criminals who never get prosecuted. Goldman Sach's reputation is one they earned. I'm not saying Goldman Sach's is guilty in this particular situation, but their past behavior warrants keeping a close eye on them.

[Mikeb85]

Criminality is for the justice system to decide.

Seriously though, almost all posts about the financial sector here go something like: "They're overpaid, they rip people off, why don't I make as much money since programming is so difficult and requires so much education, etc...".

Yet somehow people on HN forget where funding for start-ups comes from... They benefit from the system yet complain about it all the time.

[vdaniuk]

Isn't Goldman Sachs one of the most controversial financial companies on the Wall Street? What makes you think that GS is being bashed on jealousy and not for their unethical behavior?

I don't understand how is it possible to combine these two statements of yours into a coherent worldview:

> 1. People are simply bashing based on jealousy of more successful individuals in a different sector.

> 2. I prefer a rational approach to knee jerk sentimentality and sensationalism.

Either you have rational arguments that support [1] or your [2] statement is false and [1] is precisely what you claim you don't engage in -- sensationalism.

[Mikeb85]

No, they're really not. HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, SAC and others have been found guilty of much more than Goldman Sachs.

[vdaniuk]

You still didn't provide rational facts that HN users are criticizing GS out of jealousy.

And relative transgressions of GS to other banks doesn't matter at all. The list of controversies surrounding GS is really long: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldman_Sachs#Controversies

[Mikeb85]

Rationalism != facts... http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism