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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