While working at a game company in the past, whenever I devised item sales strategies or ran promotions to boost the company’s revenue, I always felt an internal conflict in the back of my mind. It was probably similar to the conflict tobacco or alcohol company executives might feel when selling their products. As a professional, I had to do my utmost to achieve the company’s goal of increasing sales. Yet, my personal beliefs and values constantly made me question, ‘Is this really the right thing to do?’ It was a terrible contradiction: during the day, I attended marketing meetings focused on encouraging users to make paid purchases, and at night, I returned home and taught my children not to make in-game purchases.

Industry practices like ‘pushing off’ inventory onto partners to meet quarterly targets, ‘self-purchasing’ our own products, and ‘inflating sales’ through ghost clients deeply wound an employee’s conscience. I too recall internal conflicts over the fundamental value of coins while working at a blockchain startup. It’s a pain anyone with a conscience feels at some point, but sadly, over time, many become desensitized, rationalizing their actions under the guise of ‘industry practice’.

Recently, I met with a startup operating an adult internet broadcasting service as a client. The nature of the work required providing stable streaming technology, but thinking about the context where that technology would be used weighed heavily on my heart. I was already aware that a significant portion of global internet traffic involves adult content and that online gambling is rampant, but being directly involved in it left me confused. Seeing myself passionately explaining solutions and pitching ideas during the technical meeting felt strangely unfamiliar. Driving home after work, I received another call from a different adult broadcaster. Seeing myself enthusiastically responding, offering discount benefits to secure a contract within the year, my heart grew heavy.

“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (Romans 6:13)

Source Input

Meditating on this verse, I began discerning truth from falsehood and contemplating how I could be used as an instrument of righteousness, not unrighteousness. To help creators avoid excessive exposure just for cash-like items like ‘hearts,’ I proposed alternative solutions like ‘live shopping’ and shared success stories with clients.

Knowing that those working in content businesses are also brothers and sisters beloved by God, I resolved to develop the competence to present new business models while empathizing with their inner conflicts. I earnestly pray that I may treat them without prejudice, respect their careers, collaborate honestly, and ultimately become a positive influence guiding them onto the right path.