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What he said, for posterity: > "The most plausible scenario is that she presented herself to him as entirely willing," Stallman wrote in his post last Wednesda

What he said, for posterity: > "The most plausible scenario is that she presented herself to him as entirely willing," Stallman wrote in his post last Wednesday. "Assuming she was being coerced by Epstein, he would have had every reason to tell her to conceal that from most of his associates. I’ve concluded from various examples of accusation inflation that it is absolutely wrong to use the term 'sexual assault' in an accusation." Source: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/09/17/richard_stallman_interview/ https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/09/17/richard_stallman_in... [and in my opinion: it's the last sentence that made his statement wildly inappropriate. It's one thing if he wanted to raise the possibility that Minsky was deceived, and while incorrect it would be excusable, but his last sentence is a belligerent assumption of bad faith, and it is highly inappropriate for him to use such absolute language in denying sexual assault]

ZeroGravitas 7y ago
His use of "plausible" is interesting here. It is plausible that she wouldn't announce that she was a blackmail-trap/underaged sex worker/trafficked slave or whatever. It's not plausible that an 17 year old would be propositioning old men without any external influence in this situation. I think he's strongly implying this and that's part of what got the strong reaction. I'd suggest due to that, the statement is dodgy even before you get to the bit you highlight.
- bluecalm 7y ago
  Well, he could have assumed she is paid for it and does it for money. I mean, I agree that remote island full of underage girls throwing themselves at old men raise questions and most reasonable men would conclude it's too likely to be coercion rather than voluntary sex work to get involved but I still think it's not ridiculous to have discussion about it. I also happen to agree with Stallman about the wording. If you call any activity that constitutes statutory rape in some jurisdictions a sexual assault you're doing disservice to people who experience what is more commonly understood as assault as that devalues the term and the suffering that comes from it.
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pissinOn3rdRail 7y ago
> belligerent assumption of bad faith He does go on to explain his rationale. "Sexual assault" can apply to anything on a continuum from creepy hug to BTK. And so using the term obscures the specific accusation and escalates its severity.

ZeroGravitas 7y ago

His use of "plausible" is interesting here. It is plausible that she wouldn't announce that she was a blackmail-trap/underaged sex worker/trafficked slave or whatever. It's not plausible that an 17 year old would be propositioning old men without any external influence in this situation. I think he's strongly implying this and that's part of what got the strong reaction. I'd suggest due to that, the statement is dodgy even before you get to the bit you highlight.

bluecalm 7y ago
Well, he could have assumed she is paid for it and does it for money. I mean, I agree that remote island full of underage girls throwing themselves at old men raise questions and most reasonable men would conclude it's too likely to be coercion rather than voluntary sex work to get involved but I still think it's not ridiculous to have discussion about it. I also happen to agree with Stallman about the wording. If you call any activity that constitutes statutory rape in some jurisdictions a sexual assault you're doing disservice to people who experience what is more commonly understood as assault as that devalues the term and the suffering that comes from it.

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pissinOn3rdRail 7y ago

> belligerent assumption of bad faith He does go on to explain his rationale. "Sexual assault" can apply to anything on a continuum from creepy hug to BTK. And so using the term obscures the specific accusation and escalates its severity.