Can someone give a summary of what this is really about?
Not the cover story about his statement about Minsky, that isn't enough to justify the bullying he is getting from a large section of the community now under the guise of inclusiveness (which seems kind of ironic). There must be something else that is going unsaid here to get this much pushback.
He talked critically about controversial topics. Let's make him an un-person now to show everyone we're serious about morals. That's how you counter arguments: you fire people. You don't use words in return--that means you're one of them.
It used to go: Person A: I believe in X Person B: You're wrong, here's why <critical discussion> Person A or B: OK, I'm wrong, you're right, and everybody who listened is now more educated on this topic.
It now goes: Person A: I believe in X Person B: Canceled! Nobody learns anything
It didn't "use to go" that way. 80 years ago people got cancelled all the time. It's how the world has always worked. The tools to do it the mediums we communicate, and the people getting cancelled may change, but don't fool yourself into thinking rational discussion or reactionary outrage haven't frequent dance partners since the dawn of communication. In previous centuries or decades, think church, think communism, think homosexuality - people can get ostracized right quick for saying the wrong thing. It's *always* been that way.
What is this really about? (Score:5, Insightful)
Can someone give a summary of what this is really about?
Not the cover story about his statement about Minsky, that isn't enough to justify the bullying he is getting from a large section of the community now under the guise of inclusiveness (which seems kind of ironic). There must be something else that is going unsaid here to get this much pushback.
Re:What is this really about? (Score:4, Interesting)
It used to go:
Person A: I believe in X
Person B: You're wrong, here's why
<critical discussion>
Person A or B: OK, I'm wrong, you're right, and everybody who listened is now more educated on this topic.
It now goes:
Person A: I believe in X
Person B: Canceled!
Nobody learns anything
How it started.... How it's going... (Score:2)
The 2020/2021 version of "Hot it started/How it's going".
Re:What is this really about? (Score:4, Insightful)
It didn't "use to go" that way. 80 years ago people got cancelled all the time. It's how the world has always worked. The tools to do it the mediums we communicate, and the people getting cancelled may change, but don't fool yourself into thinking rational discussion or reactionary outrage haven't frequent dance partners since the dawn of communication. In previous centuries or decades, think church, think communism, think homosexuality - people can get ostracized right quick for saying the wrong thing. It's *always* been that way.