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There's a consistent narrative that people join Google to make the world a better place, and that Googlers keep the working culture bright and not evil. These exposes are about challenging that pre-built image.

To be fair Google did downgrade their "do not evil" value to "it is possible to conduct business without being evil" but it's fair to be reminded of all the evil they do do that led them to downgrade themselves in their own estimation.

I think it is some event, but the importance scales depending on your distance to it. I have had coworkers whose departure was a major shakeup to me and my life. More distant coworkers have provoked some thoughts. The departure of someone at another firm usually has no relevance to the general public.

I think it is reasonable to make a statement, but wonder who the target audience was in this case.

They probably see leaving as being excommunicated from a huge social circle that they value greatly.