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Nobody pretended so - which is the whole point. Thiel could have given his money to a foundation that openly sponsors lawsuits for media victioms. That would ha
by Xylakant 10y ago
Nobody pretended so - which is the whole point. Thiel could have given his money to a foundation that openly sponsors lawsuits for media victioms. That would haven been for the public good.
Instead he chose to sponsor the lawsuit (and other lawsuits) against gawker in secret because he feels wronged by them with the intent of punishing them. And that's not in the public interest because it can be considered a form of vigilantism.
- will_brown 10y agoBollea had a valid legal cause of action and Thiel backed the lawsuit financially...no matter what Thiel's motives isn't working within the confines of the law and availing oneself to their legal rights the complete opposite of vigilantism?
- vintermann 10y agoI agree he should rather have been open about it. But for one, it doesn't appear to have been a terribly well-kept secret, and for another, he could easily have hid behind a foundation too.
- kelseyfrancis 10y ago>it can be considered a form of vigilantism No. Vigilantism is extralegal. A lawsuit is by definition not vigilantism.
- Artistry121 10y agoBoom! Exactly. He did something good using available means. Pragmatism is the ultimate move to make good things happen in the short term and he did it. Had he not the risk of other people's information being leaked for the entertainment of the masses could be higher.
- bko 10y agoMaybe he did so in secret because he didn't want it to be framed 'billionaire vs journalist' Perhaps he felt that he was wronged by them and that may be petty, but it doesn't mean that the lawsuit he did participate in is unjust or an unworthy cause.
- icebraining 10y agoSo the US courts are so corrupt that going through them is considered vigilantism?
- eli_gottlieb 10y agoIf Thiel's action was vigilantism, the use of private combat or violence to punish perceived injustice, then maybe the real problem is that our legal system has become a form of trial by financial combat.
- Teeboo 10y agoCannot agree. Legal precedent is legal precedent regardless of who brings the case or their stature. Thiel going in via the Hogan case is still public interest.
- Redoubts 10y ago> Thiel could have given his money to a foundation that openly sponsors lawsuits for media victioms. Why is that better than shuttering a perpetrator and dancing on its grave?
- internaut 10y agoIt's not substantively any different, but the other old people are disconcerted by the dancing. Perhaps if there was a formal dancing school scheduled at the graveyard they could get used to the idea.