Western Digital sheds 2,500 jobs

Just in time for the holidays, it's Tickle Me Layoffs. Western Digital is cutting loose 5% of its workforce -- that's 2,500 more people who'll be staying home against their will. Hey Nintendo, why are you so happy?

[Professor STFU @ Dec 17th 2008 8:34AM]

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[zioncat @ Dec 17th 2008 9:07AM]

Wow engadget thanks for showing me an old photograpgh of African Americans jobless with a painting of a white family in the back ground living the American dream.

[Professor STFU @ Dec 17th 2008 9:11AM]

See that dog in the car? He's having a great time. Quit complaining.

[John @ Dec 17th 2008 9:27AM]

Pretty sure the rest of us saw an ironic picture of jobless people standing in front of a poster proclaiming the highest standards of living. You're like those people who take the time to inform us that 'gyp' is a racial slur when most people aren't even aware that the word 'gyp' has anything to do with 'gypsy'

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 17th 2008 9:48AM]

There's a white girl on the left...

[spam_free @ Dec 17th 2008 9:56AM]

People will see whatever they want to see. It's like that ink blot test that shrinks like to use. If you see a line of jobless blacks instead of just a line of jobless *people*, then you're probably a racist yourself. To NOT be a racist is to NOT see the races at all and just see people. Having said that, this picture is priceless; and so fitting of our current dilemma.

[G. I. @ Dec 17th 2008 10:38AM]

Zion(cat)ists are racists.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 17th 2008 11:01AM]

I can't imagine that the editor who placed this picture here didn't know that it wouldn't spark a flamewar about whether or not its reminding us of racism or of recession/depression...

but, the truth is African Americans WERE discriminated against in the past, they were not allowed to do jobs that they actually knew how to do - such as being allowed to be farmers in the North after already knowing how to farm as a slave. The institutionalized racism of America - followed by a stupid bandaid called welfare and government subsidized housing projects - is part of the reason many African AMericans are in a cycle of debt, poverty and desperation.

Frankly, I'd like to take ALL Americans (white, Black and Jewish) off of welfare but, thanks to Bush Economics so many people are unemployed right now that the welfare roles are SWELLING for multiple ethnicities and races.

Honestly, I know people will disagree with me and low rank this - or try to come up with a stupid fkin insult about me, but I don't give one God Damn about you and your ideaologies.
THIS IS HOW IT IS. When this country makes moves to improve the lives of all people and does so in a fair and balanced manner, then and only then will we move forward.

PS - the election of Barack Obama isn't proof that this country has changed its tones on race or sexism for that matter. It is proof however that
#1 BUSH was a total fuk up
#2 Anybody running against Bush/McCain/Palin was gonna win so long as they seemed electable
#3 The White electorate has been pushed back by changing ideaologies, Hispanic votes, solidarity of key electorates and $750 Million in campaign funds

[fanman @ Dec 17th 2008 11:22AM]

@Flashpoint

'I can't imagine that the editor who placed this picture here didn't know that it wouldn't spark a flamewar about whether or not its reminding us of racism or of recession/depression...'

Thats funny. I can.

[OneLove @ Dec 17th 2008 11:38AM]

WhaT HaS ThIs gOt tO dO WItH wD?

[Ray @ Dec 17th 2008 11:37AM]

"See that dog in the car? He's having a great time. Quit complaining."

Man, that is one ridiculously happy dog. That poster would infuriate me with or w/o the line of unemployed African Americans.

Racism/oppression wasn't a joke for those generations, it really shouldn't be a joke now either.

[Dez @ Dec 17th 2008 12:04PM]

Why does everyone have such a problem with the dog? Seriously, just look how happy he is!

[Eric @ Dec 17th 2008 12:57PM]

Lots of african americans and one young white girl.....ok, where is R. Kelly?

[Sea Urchin @ Dec 17th 2008 1:29PM]

@ ORACLE

I hate to bring politics into this but do you honestly think that a minority would even get elected into a higher office in those countries, that is also part of freedom (the American way).

[loosely_coupled @ Dec 17th 2008 4:25PM]

"The White electorate has been pushed back"

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to suggest that all white people vote republican? Thats ridiculous..

[Th!nk @ Dec 17th 2008 4:53PM]

What would you think if the people lined up all had dark, wavy hair, big noses, and big ears and where dressed in rags?

What would you think if the poster had people all with blue eyes and blond hair and the heading said in German

"World's most beautiful people"

"There's no solution like the German solution to the question"

Where the editor goes on to talk about some American company acquiring a German hair company.

Of course you could see just that and make no reasonable conclusions. But "think" about "someone", in another circumstance, who would see something else.

Engadget, I'm sorely disappointed at your lack of sensitivity. Especially in this connected age when you know you have a very diversified audience. I'm almost certain there was some debate before this image was posted and it's sad that you collectively lacked judgment and decided to post this very irrelevant image anyway.

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 17th 2008 8:40AM]

Holy **** is the monster that is the financial apocalypse very much on our streets?

God Bless America, and indeed, the world, and indeed, teh internets.

[therpham @ Dec 17th 2008 8:43AM]

That is one of the most deliciously ironic photographs ever taken.

[MyFirstMoniker @ Dec 17th 2008 12:19PM]

I think a lot of people don't know the context in which the picture was taken.

This picture was taken by Margaret Bourke-White of people that were seeking assistance after the floods in Kentucky in 1937. The people in the line became homeless after 60% of Louisville went underwater. The people are not necessarily poor, they just lost their possessions because of the flood, and are receiving aid. Isn't that the American Way?

[good grief @ Dec 17th 2008 1:12PM]

@ thephram

NO, it would be ironic if the depression-era photo depicted a black family on the billboard and white folks lined up for handouts.

good grief

[therpham @ Dec 17th 2008 1:15PM]

I didn't even notice they were black. That pretty much negates my previous statement.

[Sea Urchin @ Dec 17th 2008 8:43AM]

Yeah we are in a recession, but American way is still the way. We are free to do what we want, you can flip off a cop, curse the President and not get killed. I wasn't born in USA so believe me when i say this that America provides more freedom to int people than any country on earth.

Yeah we are losing jobs, my company just laid off a number of people, but the world goes on.

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 17th 2008 8:49AM]

Lemme try this in the UK:

"Damn you Gordo....

[Sea Urchin @ Dec 17th 2008 8:49AM]

Here's a great example, look at what our democratic friend in other countries are up to.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_treason_law

[John @ Dec 17th 2008 9:02AM]

Long live Russia, fool! Freedom is but an illusion - in any country - accept it and get over it. Humanity will continue to be humanity.

[Kris120890 @ Dec 17th 2008 9:04AM]

How can you use Russia as a good example. Thats like saying you have net neutrality and then using china as an example.It's funny when you get Americans saying Paris is in London or Britain came from america and when I point out the facts I'm suddenly wrong.

[jakem @ Dec 17th 2008 9:07AM]

Um, and what about Guantanamo Bay?

[ldrn @ Dec 17th 2008 9:31AM]

@Jakem:
Oh, that's part of Cuba. Just another example of Castro's excesses, letting the U.S. do that. ;)

@Kris120890:
There are ignorant people in every country. Whichever one you come from is no exception. Trust me, European arrogance is just as annoying to those who are not European as U.S. arrogance is to people who are not from the U.S.

[Rob @ Dec 17th 2008 10:00AM]

"you can flip off a cop" I'm not so sure about that. You do that, and the a--hole will look for an excuse to either arrest you or fine you. I rather stay away from them altogether.

"Today I didn't even have to use my a.k.
I got to say it was a good day." Ice Cube.

[Bob @ Dec 17th 2008 11:17AM]

Save your breath cursing the president. Throw a Shoe.

[fanman @ Dec 17th 2008 11:27AM]

Socialism's better. Then everyone can work for a car and an abnormally huge smile.

[Derbeste @ Dec 17th 2008 11:42AM]

The American way is still THE way?

I wasn't aware there was only one way to skin a cat.

Well I must admit it certainly feels good to know that what works for one person always works for every person.

I like when everyone is exactly the same. It makes me feel like I'm always right.

[oracle @ Dec 17th 2008 1:16PM]

"that America provides more freedom to int people than any country on earth."
Not according to Freedom in the World 2000-2001, New York: Freedom House, where the US is ranked #7 in the world list:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dem_civ_and_pol_lib-democracy-civil-and-political-liberties

The thing is people in the countries above the US in the ranking don´t boast around like the americans do. That at least shows respect for the people around you. Just imagine the people from the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Denmark hearing you say that. You would be portait as an arrogant to put it mildly. This blind illusion of feeling you're always the best, without caring about what others are doing, will probably put in danger the american future as the biggest economy and military power in the world.

[Walt @ Dec 18th 2008 12:02AM]

Oracle,

I'm not so sure that NationMaster ranking is all that valid. Have you seen the criteria they are using to determine which country is the most free? Like what historical year Jewish people were allowed to vote, what percent of the electorate shows up to vote at congressional elections, etc. Apparently the US gets whacked for having unenforced sodomy laws in a number of states.

A site like that needs to be extremely careful about defining what they mean by "freedom" before devising a ranking. Some people in this country might consider an index of freedom paying less than 50% of their salary in taxes, while people making $53,000 euros in "#1 ranked" the Netherlands pay 52% just for federal income tax, before other taxes. Perhaps they get better government services than the US, perhaps not, but this is still a compulsory financial burden.

I don't mean to shoot down your link, it looks like the guy who made the site has done some interesting work. I am just pointing out that this very ordered list is based on very fuzzy assumptions and what some might consider highly arbitrary and carefully selected parameters.

[Walt @ Dec 18th 2008 12:08AM]

The biggest danger to America's future:

http://perotcharts.com/images/challenges/challenges07.png

[Kizorblade @ Dec 17th 2008 9:09AM]

Well... meh. Hope they get some form of a job soon :\

Best wishes to them.

[Ethan @ Dec 17th 2008 9:11AM]

Doubly happy because they seem to hate hard drives.

[Menos @ Dec 17th 2008 9:15AM]

damn, i hope Lockheed's not next...

[Taylor @ Dec 17th 2008 9:20AM]

Really, we aren't trying to very hard to avoid a recession are we?
It's already started.

Jobs cut.
Spending cut.
More jobs cut.
More spending cut.
And so on until unemployment's at 30 percent.

Good one, Washington.

[jakem @ Dec 17th 2008 9:21AM]

I presume that's the point of the picture. It's highlighting racism in the US (a point that Sea Urchin failed to spot) by juxtaposing the wealthy white family living the dream in the poster with the poor black people queuing.

[Orappa @ Dec 17th 2008 9:25AM]

yes its on purpose, look at the picture behind them they are all white..
so u put 2 and 2 together

[John @ Dec 17th 2008 9:29AM]

No, see, Guantanamo Bay is in Cuba, see

...If I cover my ears and sing, I can't hear what you're saying.

[Boarderwoot @ Dec 17th 2008 10:12AM]

That's right, because The Great Depression was just another tool that the government used to keep down the brothas. GTFO tool.

[Evros @ Dec 17th 2008 10:14AM]

Communism failed.This system will also fail.I wish everyone not lose their jobs.

[fanman @ Dec 17th 2008 11:51AM]

We've never really seen communism. Authoritarianism failed.

[Magallanes @ Dec 17th 2008 10:15AM]

"If you are one of the people on the next list then you are fired, take your luggage and go out immediately, a security personal will check you in the exit door.
And for the rest of employee, happy xmas and don't forget the party to celebrate this next 24."

[8r13n @ Dec 17th 2008 10:34AM]

If I didn't think Engadget articles were just about getting a response I'd say this was a poor choice of photographs. ...But since I think Engadget is a complete sell-out this makes perfect sense. It's bound to generate feedback for an otherwise uninteresting article. ...5% or 2,500 jobs is nothing to me, that's like a company of 20 dropping one employee. I think most companies of 20 have at least one person they don't need, so I see this as a healthy reorg.

About the photo; It would have been easy to get a photograph of poor white folks, Irish or otherwise, but I think this picture (unintentionally) emphasizes that economic turmoil has traditionally hit the black community the hardest. ...Because of racism. However, I see this picture as a symbol of hope. Because things aren't (at least as bad) anymore. Racism still exists (in a sad way), but it's only a shadow now of what it used to be. Pictures like this remind me of the progress we've made.

[Dez @ Dec 17th 2008 12:08PM]

What are you talking about, black people don't make hard drives!

[Mycroft @ Dec 17th 2008 10:35AM]

Yet again, I read these posts and despair at the state of popular knowledge about the current financial crisis. It is the market manipulations by the Federal government that is the single largest contributor to this downturn, and yet it seems most posters on this site insist on blaming the market, or private companies, or the undefined "greed." Greed is a constant, people are no more greedy now than they were at any other period of time. But what does change is the Federal attempts at market control, leading to boom and bust cycles we now see played out before us.

Most commentors look at these posts and want to blame the market. Instead they should be blaming those individuals they elected.

[twozeroone @ Dec 17th 2008 10:36AM]

Since when did racism =/= recession?