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> But on the other hand, I’m one of the few people who can say heterodox things without worrying about getting fired. So if I don’t say these things, who will?
by patrec 7y ago
> But on the other hand, I’m one of the few people who can say heterodox things without worrying about getting fired. So if I don’t say these things, who will?
Has Paul Graham ever made use of this freedom?
- PedroBatista 7y agoHe has been talking bs for more than a decade, but I don't know if that's just him being in his bubble taking himself too seriously or saying heterodox things because it's all relative.
- patrec 7y agoWell, I'll settle for BS if it's heterodox BS -- any examples?
- krapp 7y agoI haven't read every essay he's written, but to me it seems like his "heterodoxy" is relatively weak. He won't be fired for his opinions but he's not going to risk his reputation by doing something actually controversial, like denouncing capitalism or calling out the racism and misogyny in his own industry.
- patrec 7y agoThis is was my impression as well, hence asking. I dimly recall him getting zinged by some fringe enforcer group once or twice, but not because what he was saying was genuinely heterodox, simply to tighten the overtone window a bit on that side. I agree with him that financial independence and a bully pulpit give one freedom and, as a public spirited person at least, responsibility to make use of that freedom to voice otherwise supressed opinions that merit some airing (whether correct or not). If he's actually doing it, it would certainly enhance my opinion of him.
- jiveturkey 7y agoYeah I mean we don't have to go far to find someone that actually is taking a risk. Peter Thiel comes to mind.