I really have no knowledge of the Stalman situation but just wanted to strongly disagree. Someone's contributions to a given field should not grant them any leeway whatsoever.
All people should be held to the same standards of behaviour regardless of their social standing. Otherwise we end up with powerful people abusing their privilege. That is sadly the reality in today's world and "cancel culture" is the resulting backlash against that inequality.
As with most social corrections there will be people that will argue the pendulum has swung too far but that doesn't change the fact that it needed to swing.
John
On Thu, Jun 10, 2021 at 1:40 AM Trevor Cordes trevor@tecnopolis.ca wrote:
On 2021-06-09 Bill Reid wrote:
Thanks Trevor for your comments about Stallman. Well written.
Thanks also.
I won't argue left vs far left, since it's subjective and, more importantly, irrelevant to the point I was trying to make. I only brought it up to illustrate that, if anything, I should be biased _against_ Stallman, yet here I am defending his right to voice his (often appalling) opinions (I mostly vehemently disagree with) without being professionally destroyed. If nothing else, his contributions should have earned him much wider pause, leeway, understanding, and tolerance.
But, alas, tis the nature of the culture at the moment. I could go on and on for a very long time, so I'll leave it here. Perhaps we can chat in person further at a future meeting. I also look forward to hearing what others have to say. Shocking that so many are silent whilst witnessing the destruction of an icon.
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