power imbalances cause asymmetric incentives (and ability) to perform interpretive labor
In my example the power imbalance is mostly an effect, not a cause. You can apply to work at a programming company as a programmer, and they will accept you if you pass the interview. Or you can—with the same name and face—apply to work as a manager, and they will accept you if you pass the interview. Or you can move from programming to management, I know a bunch of people who did that. Your position is determined by your skills.
You could say “oh, but people in lower positions are prevented from learning the skills needed for higher positions”. But that’s not true in my experience. Programmers aren’t prevented from learning “people stuff”, they know they could do it, it just makes them yawn.
In my example the power imbalance is mostly an effect, not a cause. You can apply to work at a programming company as a programmer, and they will accept you if you pass the interview. Or you can—with the same name and face—apply to work as a manager, and they will accept you if you pass the interview. Or you can move from programming to management, I know a bunch of people who did that. Your position is determined by your skills.
You could say “oh, but people in lower positions are prevented from learning the skills needed for higher positions”. But that’s not true in my experience. Programmers aren’t prevented from learning “people stuff”, they know they could do it, it just makes them yawn.
OK, “cause” was too strong—correlate with.