3 ms·

All that was granted to RMS, even to a degree most others don't. The problem with RMS (and way too many other public figures) is the inability to just keep the

by qayxc 6y ago

All that was granted to RMS, even to a degree most others don't. The problem with RMS (and way too many other public figures) is the inability to just keep their mouths shut every once in a while. Everyone - especially in the age of social media - would be much better off not sharing every personal opinion on every subject with the entire planet; lest they're willing and able to deal with the inevitable backlash.

recursivedoubts 6y ago
maybe, rather, in the age of social media, we should all accept there are a lot of people out there who think, act and speak differently than we do this is hard, admittedly, but it seems like the right thing to me
- qayxc 6y ago
  That's a nice ideal, but unachievable. Social norms exist because people in general are incapable of doing exactly that. It's not just "hard" - it's outright impossible. You're basically wishing for no one to ever be offended again for any reason. That's not human nature, though, so the best way to avoid unnecessary drama is to stick to the old "Talk is silver, silence is golden" as far as discussing controversial (off-)topics in public is concerned. Emphasis on 'in public' and 'off-topic', because that's what this is about. Might not be as important for the average Joe or Jane, but as soon as your name becomes entangled with the cause you fight for, it's a different story entirely.
  - recursivedoubts 6y ago
    This simply allows the most easily offended to set the norms of public discourse.
howeyc 6y ago
I don't understand why the backlash should be inevitable, or why it should be stronger than a retort.
- qayxc 6y ago
  The reason it's inevitable is because you're not addressing a specific target audience as soon as you're doing it on the internet using your actual identity or in the presence of the media as a public figure. Sure, you can voice pretty much any opinion you can think of in certain, even quite public settings (Bars, conferences, book signings, etc.) and it wouldn't necessarily affect your life or public opinion on your person in any significant way. As soon as the media is present, however, or if you do it on the internet, you inevitably address everyone - including the extremists and enemies to your cause who are just waiting for a slip-up - and that's just asking for an overblown out-of-proportion response.

by qayxc 6y ago

recursivedoubts 6y ago

maybe, rather, in the age of social media, we should all accept there are a lot of people out there who think, act and speak differently than we do this is hard, admittedly, but it seems like the right thing to me

qayxc 6y ago
That's a nice ideal, but unachievable. Social norms exist because people in general are incapable of doing exactly that. It's not just "hard" - it's outright impossible. You're basically wishing for no one to ever be offended again for any reason. That's not human nature, though, so the best way to avoid unnecessary drama is to stick to the old "Talk is silver, silence is golden" as far as discussing controversial (off-)topics in public is concerned. Emphasis on 'in public' and 'off-topic', because that's what this is about. Might not be as important for the average Joe or Jane, but as soon as your name becomes entangled with the cause you fight for, it's a different story entirely.
- recursivedoubts 6y ago
  This simply allows the most easily offended to set the norms of public discourse.

howeyc 6y ago

I don't understand why the backlash should be inevitable, or why it should be stronger than a retort.

qayxc 6y ago
The reason it's inevitable is because you're not addressing a specific target audience as soon as you're doing it on the internet using your actual identity or in the presence of the media as a public figure. Sure, you can voice pretty much any opinion you can think of in certain, even quite public settings (Bars, conferences, book signings, etc.) and it wouldn't necessarily affect your life or public opinion on your person in any significant way. As soon as the media is present, however, or if you do it on the internet, you inevitably address everyone - including the extremists and enemies to your cause who are just waiting for a slip-up - and that's just asking for an overblown out-of-proportion response.