[divegeek]

(Googler here)

You're not wrong, but I think you overstate the case. I wouldn't say employees are encouraged to publicly trash the company's products. Not at all. But the company does respect employees' right to speak their mind in public, and it does encourage thoughtful internal dissent.

I often tread pretty close to the line on what I say in public, and have even been reined in by Google legal counsel in a couple of cases. I found the experience of being told to cool it to be surprisingly affirming and liberating, and a powerful confirmation of the true commitment to openness in Google culture, because of the reasons for which it was done and the way in which it was done. Specifically, in both cases I really had crossed a line which could be potentially troublesome for Google in court, and in both cases the attorney who contacted me was respectful of my opinions and my rights to speak them to the point of being very apologetic about telling me to shut up. It was very clear to me that Google really didn't want to silence me, and did it only because they truly had to. I think that's awesome.

Based on my experience, I have zero concern for Brad's job, and wouldn't be surprised if he gets some mild and unofficial kudos.

[thesomelioma]

Also Googler. If anything, this should reinforce the fact that G is far more tolerant of Googlers' expression than most companies would be.

I have friends at Apple (and formerly at Apple) who can attest that not all companies are that way.