Where I choose not to work: the values behind it
Choosing where not to work matters. Here’s why Arkilon Ltd and I steer clear of certain industries, guided by ethics that reduce harm, protect people and planet, and focus our skills on positive impact.
Over on my About Me page, I list some industries that I am not a good fit for. Friends, colleagues, and recruiters have asked me why - so in this post I'll give that answer.
The tone here is a bit more serious than some of the other content on my blog, but I think it's important to share these kinds of ethical boundaries and the rationale behind them, for the sake of complete transparency.
The list is pretty short:
- Web 3/crypto
- Defence
- Advertising*
- Gambling
On advertising
I know the industry isn’t a monolith. Ethical, well-targeted ads can be a lifeline for small publishers and creators, and are not inherently harmful.
My concern lies with models that harvest excessive personal data, amplify misinformation or hate at scale, or rely on dark patterns to force engagement.
I’m open to companies that demonstrate that they value user privacy and brand safety.
Why these industries are instant no-gos
In my view, they can all cause net harm to society or the planet. I refuse to allow my skills (and time) to be used in ways that:
- exploit trust, attention, or addiction
- carry a high environmental or social cost
- concentrate wealth and power at others’ expense
- cause loss of life or physical harm to anyone
I don't mean this to be a judgment of individuals in these fields; this is simply where I choose to invest my skills.
That's really all there is to it. It's cliché, but I won't use my powers for evil. I would much rather put my effort into work that leaves the world better than I found it.