4 ms·

I wonder if, since so many on HN feel that they are enlightened people, it is possible for us to give the benefit of the doubt to people who's jobs we don't do

I wonder if, since so many on HN feel that they are enlightened people, it is possible for us to give the benefit of the doubt to people who's jobs we don't do and probably know nothing about? Just because we work in tech does not mean we know everything, and not having been there means we don't know the circumstances anyway. It is disgustingly arrogant of any of us to proclaim that these people must be incompetent or complicit like some armchair quarterback. Christ, I mean, this is roughly the same mentality as the people who think the election was stolen based on some anecdotes and bullshit despite what election officials, courts, and other experts are saying.

bnralt 6y ago
Indeed, the hyperbole and conspiracy theories on all sides have lead me to detach myself from politics. There were a few hundred/thousand people who rioted at the Capitol, law enforcement in riot gear fought them with clubs and pepper spray, got overwhelmed, fell back, regrouped, and responded with a lot of force a couple hours later. One of the rioters was shot, dozens were arrested. Not a good scenario, but I've seen a lot of people who I had thought were more measured yelling about how police were assisting with an attempted coup attempt (even supposedly respected news stations were going off the deep end). It feels like the 24/7 news cycle has fried a lot of people's minds and turned everything into a final battle between good and evil.
Fauntleroy 6y ago
If it's any consolation, US Capitol Police chief Steve Sund was forced to resign by Congress. Seems like it's not just armchair quarterbacks who were let down by their shitty response.
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 6y ago
  No doubt you are aware of the concept of a face-saving resignation. I'm not saying this is what happened here, I'm just saying the resignation itself is not really meaningful without more context.

bnralt 6y ago

Indeed, the hyperbole and conspiracy theories on all sides have lead me to detach myself from politics. There were a few hundred/thousand people who rioted at the Capitol, law enforcement in riot gear fought them with clubs and pepper spray, got overwhelmed, fell back, regrouped, and responded with a lot of force a couple hours later. One of the rioters was shot, dozens were arrested. Not a good scenario, but I've seen a lot of people who I had thought were more measured yelling about how police were assisting with an attempted coup attempt (even supposedly respected news stations were going off the deep end). It feels like the 24/7 news cycle has fried a lot of people's minds and turned everything into a final battle between good and evil.

Fauntleroy 6y ago

If it's any consolation, US Capitol Police chief Steve Sund was forced to resign by Congress. Seems like it's not just armchair quarterbacks who were let down by their shitty response.

AnIdiotOnTheNet 6y ago
No doubt you are aware of the concept of a face-saving resignation. I'm not saying this is what happened here, I'm just saying the resignation itself is not really meaningful without more context.