3 ms·

Some people think abstract principles matter more than specific edge-cases.

by andybak 8y ago

GW150914 8y ago
I think some people also use abstract principles as canards when they actually identify with said edge cases. Either way, it’s exhausting and pointless and poisons every conversation online (and some off) that touch on these issues. It’s like arguing about the value of birth control with a pope from a few decades ago. Facts don’t matter, only positions matter.
noelsusman 8y ago
I'll just throw out that it's not a coincidence which specific edge-cases these people choose to get up in arms about. Like, I don't see a lot of outrage from free speech types when liberal professors get fired for saying stupid shit. It's only a certain kind of speech being suppressed that they seem to care about. http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/ut-condemns-teacher-whose-tweet-blames-harvey-on-texas-gop-vote/2335504 http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/ut-condemns-t... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/26/professor-fired-after-defending-blacks-only-event-on-fox-news-i-was-publicly-lynched-she-says/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/2...
- sheepmullet 8y ago
  > Like, I don't see a lot of outrage from free speech types when liberal professors get fired for saying stupid shit Is it the same thing? A better example would be if power companies and phone companies started disconnecting liberal professors for saying stupid shit.
  - noelsusman 8y ago
    I wasn't trying to make an analogy to this specific situation. You're right that it's not the same. I was just pointing out things I've noticed about the broader free speech discussion.
- andybak 8y ago
  > from free speech types How about center-left free speech types like me? I'm from the UK and it's so clear over hear which side of the spectrum "owns" free speech.

3 ms·

Some people think abstract principles matter more than specific edge-cases.

by andybak 8y ago

Some people think abstract principles matter more than specific edge-cases.

GW150914 8y ago
I think some people also use abstract principles as canards when they actually identify with said edge cases. Either way, it’s exhausting and pointless and poisons every conversation online (and some off) that touch on these issues. It’s like arguing about the value of birth control with a pope from a few decades ago. Facts don’t matter, only positions matter.
noelsusman 8y ago
I'll just throw out that it's not a coincidence which specific edge-cases these people choose to get up in arms about. Like, I don't see a lot of outrage from free speech types when liberal professors get fired for saying stupid shit. It's only a certain kind of speech being suppressed that they seem to care about. http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/ut-condemns-teacher-whose-tweet-blames-harvey-on-texas-gop-vote/2335504 http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/ut-condemns-t... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/26/professor-fired-after-defending-blacks-only-event-on-fox-news-i-was-publicly-lynched-she-says/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/2...
- sheepmullet 8y ago
  > Like, I don't see a lot of outrage from free speech types when liberal professors get fired for saying stupid shit Is it the same thing? A better example would be if power companies and phone companies started disconnecting liberal professors for saying stupid shit.
  - noelsusman 8y ago
    I wasn't trying to make an analogy to this specific situation. You're right that it's not the same. I was just pointing out things I've noticed about the broader free speech discussion.
- andybak 8y ago
  > from free speech types How about center-left free speech types like me? I'm from the UK and it's so clear over hear which side of the spectrum "owns" free speech.