Google is reportedly making changes to its popular internal message board, Memegen. Reason: the increased fighting among employees over the war in Gaza. According to a report in The New York Times, for nearly 14 years, Memegen has been a place for Google employees to blow off steam, share jokes, and offer critiques of the company. However, recent debates about the war in Gaza prompted Google to take action.Google executives, after watching employees snipe about the war in Gaza in recent months, are making big changes to turn down the temperature on their company’s beloved message board, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.
What are the changes Google is making to the message board
The report says that some of the biggest changes include the removal of the thumbs-down button. Well-liked memes rise to the top of Memegen based on those votes. Unpopular ones quickly disappear from view. Another change will be the removal of metrics that allow people to see how popular other employees’ memes have become.
Google reportedly said that it was making the changes, which take effect later this year, based on employee feedback that said thumbs down votes make workers feel bad, and the metrics made the message board feel too competitive.
The Times reports that the changes to Memegen stem from a perceived increase in negativity and bickering on the platform, particularly surrounding the war in Gaza. The company views coordinated down-voting as a bullying tactic and implemented the changes after a rise in employee complaints in late 2023.
Despite the changes, employees will still be able to post and comment on Memegen, and lighthearted ribbing of the company will still be allowed. However, attacking individuals or using abusive language will still be against the rules.
Why some employees are worried about the changes
However, some employees worry that the changes will stifle free speech and turn Memegen into a boring corporate message board. This clash reflects a larger tension between Google’s famously outspoken employees and executives who are trying to rein in the company’s culture.
The report also details the history of Memegen and how it has been used by employees to provide real-time commentary on company events, even live-polling employee reactions during all-hands meetings. The piece also mentions that while some executives have been roasted on Memegen, they generally seemed to accept it as part of the company culture.
What are the changes Google is making to the message board
The report says that some of the biggest changes include the removal of the thumbs-down button. Well-liked memes rise to the top of Memegen based on those votes. Unpopular ones quickly disappear from view. Another change will be the removal of metrics that allow people to see how popular other employees’ memes have become.
Google reportedly said that it was making the changes, which take effect later this year, based on employee feedback that said thumbs down votes make workers feel bad, and the metrics made the message board feel too competitive.
The Times reports that the changes to Memegen stem from a perceived increase in negativity and bickering on the platform, particularly surrounding the war in Gaza. The company views coordinated down-voting as a bullying tactic and implemented the changes after a rise in employee complaints in late 2023.
Despite the changes, employees will still be able to post and comment on Memegen, and lighthearted ribbing of the company will still be allowed. However, attacking individuals or using abusive language will still be against the rules.
Why some employees are worried about the changes
However, some employees worry that the changes will stifle free speech and turn Memegen into a boring corporate message board. This clash reflects a larger tension between Google’s famously outspoken employees and executives who are trying to rein in the company’s culture.
The report also details the history of Memegen and how it has been used by employees to provide real-time commentary on company events, even live-polling employee reactions during all-hands meetings. The piece also mentions that while some executives have been roasted on Memegen, they generally seemed to accept it as part of the company culture.