This is the sort of dystopia I’m talking about that we are building right now.

Now, in many states, the law also extends to cover less well-defined knowledge, such as employee know-how, customer relations, and knowledge that is not used commercially. It gives firms control over employee knowledge that goes far beyond true trade secrets, reaching into basic knowledge that employees need to do their jobs. While most employers don’t push the limits of these powers, an increasing number have done so.

The combination of expanding trade-secret law and the growing use of employment contracts covering post-employment activity has a huge impact on the career trajectories of many workers.

The intent is to lock workers into one job, thus reducing salaries.

As for me, I will never sign a non-compete agreement. If one is suggested in an interview, I will walk right out the door (I’ve done it before).

There is little more thrilling in life I’ve found than when someone thinks they hold all the power over you and you get up in the middle of an interview and say, “Well, I am leaving now” and confidently stride out.

I’ve done that twice in my life.

I’ll probably do it again.

You might get the wrong impression from what you read here sometimes. In real life, I am very courteous and accommodating to a fault — until there is no reason to be. Ignorant people take that for weakness. But I grew up being bullied. When I feel like someone is attempting to bully me, or going down that path, they are shocked at the change it causes in me. Then, I am done. Just done. No more chances.

I am lucky to be able to do that, walk out like that, or to tell someone to fuck off. I know that, so no need to remind me. But I use my luck, too, and refuse to be a punching bag.

And I’m a really good IT worker. Why be modest? I know I am good at what I do. Experience proves it. That companies beg me to stay when I resign proves it.

So, employers, some notice in advance: I will NEVER work for you if you make me sign a non-compete agreement. Salary is irrelevant. A million a year? NOPE. My self-respect and freedom is worth more to me than that.

I was talking with my girlfriend last night about how corporations these days have far more power over individuals than the government. Just another bit of evidence for that.

A society that decides the merit and worth of everything by its utility is not a good society.

And yet that’s the sort of society we are choosing to live in – because it makes the rich richer, which has become the actual de facto goal of just about everything no matter what platitudes are mouthed on the news.

There’s evidence of this utilitarian focus everywhere: common core, diminishment of humanities studies, running universities as businesses, our mediocre budgets for arts, our disdain for fundamental research.

Nearly the entire flood of public-facing propaganda is designed to facilitate this as it busily informs us that if you aren’t directly in the service of making some rich white man richer, you are contemptible and have no reason to live.

Teacher? Parasite. Artist? Worthless. Research scientist? Garbage. Scholar? Shouldn’t get paid for doing something you love! Astronomer? Hope there is some hard currency on Alpha Centauri!

Perhaps a society can operate long-term like ours. Perhaps. But it won’t be a very joyful or interesting place to live.

People won’t read sf of dystopic fiction, and yet will resignedly live in such an environment with no complaint. I must say that fact does puzzle me.