4 ms·

Though, he or someone else with Aurelius in their name wrote a guide telling self to suicide if you lose control over your mind and was rather obsessive about i

Though, he or someone else with Aurelius in their name wrote a guide telling self to suicide if you lose control over your mind and was rather obsessive about it. I think quotes should be without mentioning the person. If the quote is a valid assertion then it will prove itself otherwise it tends to rely on the 'who' for its validity which lacks context and is decisive in nature. 0] https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/14/how-the-world-butchered-benjamin-franklins-quote-on-liberty-vs-security/ https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/14/how-the-world-butchered-be...

buboard 7y ago
the techcrunch article claims the quote was "not about liberty but taxes" and even links to the Franklin quote, which is , oddly , about liberty: > "In fine, we have the most sensible concern for the poor distressed inhabitants of the frontiers. We have taken every step in our power, consistent with the just rights of the freemen of Pennsylvania, for their relief, and we have reason to believe, that in the midst of their distresses they themselves do not wish us to go farther. Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Such as were inclined to defend themselves, but unable to purchase arms and ammunition have, as we are informed, been supplied with both, ... https://books.google.gr/books/content?id=HptPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA99&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U0rpXMXbiIv-TbaLZ_pio1PRL2RHA&ci=475%2C323%2C430%2C623&edge=0 https://books.google.gr/books/content?id=HptPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA9...
- thrwaway69 7y ago
  Oh didn't see that but my point was simply to avoid labelling quote with the person. HN and many other places use that quote to push pro privacy debate in a really different dynamics and world than author of that quote lived in. He couldn't have seen such malicious software taking over the world. While the quote on its may be a good ideal. You can't imply author would take similar stance to software and privacy in drastic different settings where organization argue that to protect the liberty of state and freedom of its people, they require trampling on privacy of others or its own citizens. Humans by nature are hypocritical and contextual. Assuming that is important in validating the position one might take. In the absence of evidence, just rely on the essence of words.
  - buboard 7y ago
    yeah , quotes are useful however, even decontextualized, to anchor an idea to a specific point of reference.its not just about authority
aurosul 7y ago
> otherwise it tends to rely on the 'who' in this case the `who` is Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher King, and his name is well known after 2 thousands years because he was who he was (probably the best king Rome has ever had). There's an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius on the Capitoline Hill in Rome and it's been there since 175 A.C. it must mean something. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius#/media/File:Statua_Marco_Aurelio_Musei_Capitolini.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius#/media/File:St... (actually it's not on public display anymore, it's been moved in the Capitoline Museums to preserve it, but it's still on the Capitoline Hill) Sometimes the quote has value attached because of the 'who'. For example: if a man that died on 17 March 180 had knowledge of our mind that predates studies on it, it means that 2 thousands year ago there were exceptionally intelligent people and 2 thousands year later they still are above average. If Marcus Aurelius already knew it it must be something humans struggle to understand or that humans are wired to blame the outside. BTW Marcus Aurelius was a he, I'm sure he want get upset if you call him 'he'.

buboard 7y ago

the techcrunch article claims the quote was "not about liberty but taxes" and even links to the Franklin quote, which is , oddly , about liberty: > "In fine, we have the most sensible concern for the poor distressed inhabitants of the frontiers. We have taken every step in our power, consistent with the just rights of the freemen of Pennsylvania, for their relief, and we have reason to believe, that in the midst of their distresses they themselves do not wish us to go farther. Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Such as were inclined to defend themselves, but unable to purchase arms and ammunition have, as we are informed, been supplied with both, ... https://books.google.gr/books/content?id=HptPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA99&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U0rpXMXbiIv-TbaLZ_pio1PRL2RHA&ci=475%2C323%2C430%2C623&edge=0 https://books.google.gr/books/content?id=HptPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA9...

thrwaway69 7y ago
Oh didn't see that but my point was simply to avoid labelling quote with the person. HN and many other places use that quote to push pro privacy debate in a really different dynamics and world than author of that quote lived in. He couldn't have seen such malicious software taking over the world. While the quote on its may be a good ideal. You can't imply author would take similar stance to software and privacy in drastic different settings where organization argue that to protect the liberty of state and freedom of its people, they require trampling on privacy of others or its own citizens. Humans by nature are hypocritical and contextual. Assuming that is important in validating the position one might take. In the absence of evidence, just rely on the essence of words.
- buboard 7y ago
  yeah , quotes are useful however, even decontextualized, to anchor an idea to a specific point of reference.its not just about authority

aurosul 7y ago

> otherwise it tends to rely on the 'who' in this case the `who` is Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher King, and his name is well known after 2 thousands years because he was who he was (probably the best king Rome has ever had). There's an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius on the Capitoline Hill in Rome and it's been there since 175 A.C. it must mean something. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius#/media/File:Statua_Marco_Aurelio_Musei_Capitolini.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius#/media/File:St... (actually it's not on public display anymore, it's been moved in the Capitoline Museums to preserve it, but it's still on the Capitoline Hill) Sometimes the quote has value attached because of the 'who'. For example: if a man that died on 17 March 180 had knowledge of our mind that predates studies on it, it means that 2 thousands year ago there were exceptionally intelligent people and 2 thousands year later they still are above average. If Marcus Aurelius already knew it it must be something humans struggle to understand or that humans are wired to blame the outside. BTW Marcus Aurelius was a he, I'm sure he want get upset if you call him 'he'.