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> As a friend of mine once said: "progress when you're going the wrong direction, is turning around". I disagree strongly. Progress in the wrong direction sti

by grecy 7y ago

> As a friend of mine once said: "progress when you're going the wrong direction, is turning around". I disagree strongly. Progress in the wrong direction still teaches you things, and it means you're moving and you've overcome the inertia of doing nothing, which is half the battle. Failure isn't trying and not reaching your goal. Failure is never trying.

nixpulvis 7y ago
By that definition, Hitler was pretty successful. Yes, learn from your mistakes. No, don't actively go in the wrong direction.
- grecy 7y ago
  Well, yes, Hitler was pretty successful at what he was trying to do. Now you're talking about if you need to consider any moral implications of the activity you're undertaking, which is a whole different discussion.
  - nixpulvis 7y ago
    No, my entire point is about morals!
    - grecy 7y ago
      The discussion started out as "is it better to do something, or do nothing at all", which is outside of morals, but more about motivation and actually doing something. Obviously if it's a horrible moral choice (i.e. Hitler) then sure, it's best if nothing is done. In the very vast majority of cases ( build a better car, spaceship, software, grow better food, get fitter, learn a new language, help our community, be a better friend, etc. etc.), then doing something is much, much preferable to not even trying.
      - nixpulvis 7y ago
        The topic of better vs worse, or good vs evil is the very basis of morality. "Morality (noun): principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior." I encourage you to think more deeply about your argument. I struggle to agree that the "very vast majority of cases" are positive. It sounds to me like you are sensitive to apathy and/or nihilism. I can understand that, especially these days, but just because it feels like nothing is being done doesn't mean things can't get worse. Sorry, I'm a bit of a cynic these days.

by grecy 7y ago

nixpulvis 7y ago

By that definition, Hitler was pretty successful. Yes, learn from your mistakes. No, don't actively go in the wrong direction.

grecy 7y ago
Well, yes, Hitler was pretty successful at what he was trying to do. Now you're talking about if you need to consider any moral implications of the activity you're undertaking, which is a whole different discussion.
- nixpulvis 7y ago
  No, my entire point is about morals!
  - grecy 7y ago
    The discussion started out as "is it better to do something, or do nothing at all", which is outside of morals, but more about motivation and actually doing something. Obviously if it's a horrible moral choice (i.e. Hitler) then sure, it's best if nothing is done. In the very vast majority of cases ( build a better car, spaceship, software, grow better food, get fitter, learn a new language, help our community, be a better friend, etc. etc.), then doing something is much, much preferable to not even trying.
    - nixpulvis 7y ago
      The topic of better vs worse, or good vs evil is the very basis of morality. "Morality (noun): principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior." I encourage you to think more deeply about your argument. I struggle to agree that the "very vast majority of cases" are positive. It sounds to me like you are sensitive to apathy and/or nihilism. I can understand that, especially these days, but just because it feels like nothing is being done doesn't mean things can't get worse. Sorry, I'm a bit of a cynic these days.