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Right. If you're gonna do it, then shut up and do it. Otherwise, find another way to solve the problem: find a new job, put in for a transfer, file a complain

Right. If you're gonna do it, then shut up and do it. Otherwise, find another way to solve the problem: find a new job, put in for a transfer, file a complaint with HR, see a physician, or any of a number of other possibilities. Making clear and specific threats against someone in front of others is the worst possible choice; you're going to find yourself in serious trouble (getting fired seems like the minimum), and you're not going to solve anything. That was my takeaway, but then I thought everyone already knew that.

afarrell 11y ago
> Making clear and specific threats against someone in front of others is the worst possible choice; Actually, murder is the worst possible choice.
mikeash 11y ago
Even putting the moral issues aside, the punishment for "do[ing] it" is going to be way worse than the punishment for talking about it. So I really have a difficult time seeing why you say that making threats is the worst possible choice.
- fredkbloggs 11y ago
  That assumes you're going to just sit there and get caught. Which is certainly what's going to happen if you mouth off instead. Someone who goes out with the intent to commit murder (i.e., malice aforethought or premeditation or whatever language your jurisdiction relies upon) by definition has plenty of planning time to minimize the risk of capture. I'm not interested in the moral issues. The assumption is that you've been wronged and are angry enough that you've decided to do something about it (the fact that the man in this case supposedly has a mental disability is not relevant). I mentioned numerous other ways of dealing with this kind of problem that do not involve violence; each has its merits. If, however, you've decided that violence is the answer, the way to move forward with that plan is to implement it, not discuss it with others. That should be obvious, and is the point I was making. There's no excuse for slipshod planning or halfhearted execution. Whether something is morally or ethically right does not alter the basic imperative that it be done well, or not done at all.
  - mikeash 11y ago
    I would say that being imprisoned for life is about a million times worse than being fired. Thus unless you can guarantee that your odds of capture are literally a million to one, that's not the way to go. (And judging by recent mass shootings, the chances of escape seem to be pretty near zero.)

afarrell 11y ago

> Making clear and specific threats against someone in front of others is the worst possible choice; Actually, murder is the worst possible choice.

mikeash 11y ago

Even putting the moral issues aside, the punishment for "do[ing] it" is going to be way worse than the punishment for talking about it. So I really have a difficult time seeing why you say that making threats is the worst possible choice.

fredkbloggs 11y ago
That assumes you're going to just sit there and get caught. Which is certainly what's going to happen if you mouth off instead. Someone who goes out with the intent to commit murder (i.e., malice aforethought or premeditation or whatever language your jurisdiction relies upon) by definition has plenty of planning time to minimize the risk of capture. I'm not interested in the moral issues. The assumption is that you've been wronged and are angry enough that you've decided to do something about it (the fact that the man in this case supposedly has a mental disability is not relevant). I mentioned numerous other ways of dealing with this kind of problem that do not involve violence; each has its merits. If, however, you've decided that violence is the answer, the way to move forward with that plan is to implement it, not discuss it with others. That should be obvious, and is the point I was making. There's no excuse for slipshod planning or halfhearted execution. Whether something is morally or ethically right does not alter the basic imperative that it be done well, or not done at all.
- mikeash 11y ago
  I would say that being imprisoned for life is about a million times worse than being fired. Thus unless you can guarantee that your odds of capture are literally a million to one, that's not the way to go. (And judging by recent mass shootings, the chances of escape seem to be pretty near zero.)