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It would have been nice to see a nuanced, thoughtful, insightful look at the various viewpoints that exist within this complex issue. Because many parts of this

It would have been nice to see a nuanced, thoughtful, insightful look at the various viewpoints that exist within this complex issue. Because many parts of this "activism" are important e.g. how women are treated in IT or what values does a company need to defend in this modern age. Instead we get an utterly cringeworthy "everyone should just be quiet and follow the wisdom of Lord of the Rings" which adds absolutely nothing to the discourse. Flagged.

mellosouls 6y ago
The analogy is unfortunately nerdy, but flagging it is over the top. That sort of behaviour plays into the hands of those who believe that criticism of social activists is shut down by sympathisers rather than countered with civil argument.
- threeseed 6y ago
  This is a low-information, immature piece of work that adds absolutely nothing constructive. It does not deserve to be amplified by HN.
- Lazare 6y ago
  I disagree. I do disagree with Basecamp's policy, but I certainly wouldn't flag someone for arguing in favour of it. But I'm not sure I'd consider the linked post an argument in favour of it either; that implies that it contained an argument, but this seemed to just be a vague hand wave at popular culture, following by a bare assertion. Okay, how about "the Rebels were good, and the Empire was bad; the Rebels were a group organised for a common purpose, and so is a labour union, so the Rebels are like a union, so you should join your local union, because otherwise Palpatine will win"? Is that all we need? One reason I wouldn't flag an argument I disagreed with is because the comments would be an excellent place to see people discussing, refuting, or affirming the points being made. But with something like this...what's to discuss? Or refute? The entire post would make at least as much sense (which is to say, not much) if you just flipped the conclusion and left the body alone. ("Fellowship means looking after everyone and not sacrificing people for the greater good, mercenaries just go to work, do their job, and go home without caring about right and wrong or thinking what the job is, etc.")
spacemanmatt 6y ago
I also found the LotR reference to be a heap of distraction, in an article that was 100% predictable cringe.
spyckie2 6y ago
Author here. If you think that I’m telling people to shut up about important issues then you’re wrong. I think activism has its place in a society that needs a lot of social change. But if you think that activism is a universally appropriate activity no matter the situation, I respectfully disagree. That’s why I wrote this post. I think pushing activism in a place where you want fellowship is disruptive to fellowship. I’m sorry my writing doesn’t contribute what you want to hear. I write to gain clarity for myself first and foremost, not for others. I also like discussing the topic with others to form a better opinion and like to use what others have to say to shape how I think. Sorry you don’t feel the same way.

mellosouls 6y ago

The analogy is unfortunately nerdy, but flagging it is over the top. That sort of behaviour plays into the hands of those who believe that criticism of social activists is shut down by sympathisers rather than countered with civil argument.

threeseed 6y ago
This is a low-information, immature piece of work that adds absolutely nothing constructive. It does not deserve to be amplified by HN.
Lazare 6y ago
I disagree. I do disagree with Basecamp's policy, but I certainly wouldn't flag someone for arguing in favour of it. But I'm not sure I'd consider the linked post an argument in favour of it either; that implies that it contained an argument, but this seemed to just be a vague hand wave at popular culture, following by a bare assertion. Okay, how about "the Rebels were good, and the Empire was bad; the Rebels were a group organised for a common purpose, and so is a labour union, so the Rebels are like a union, so you should join your local union, because otherwise Palpatine will win"? Is that all we need? One reason I wouldn't flag an argument I disagreed with is because the comments would be an excellent place to see people discussing, refuting, or affirming the points being made. But with something like this...what's to discuss? Or refute? The entire post would make at least as much sense (which is to say, not much) if you just flipped the conclusion and left the body alone. ("Fellowship means looking after everyone and not sacrificing people for the greater good, mercenaries just go to work, do their job, and go home without caring about right and wrong or thinking what the job is, etc.")

spacemanmatt 6y ago

I also found the LotR reference to be a heap of distraction, in an article that was 100% predictable cringe.

spyckie2 6y ago

Author here. If you think that I’m telling people to shut up about important issues then you’re wrong. I think activism has its place in a society that needs a lot of social change. But if you think that activism is a universally appropriate activity no matter the situation, I respectfully disagree. That’s why I wrote this post. I think pushing activism in a place where you want fellowship is disruptive to fellowship. I’m sorry my writing doesn’t contribute what you want to hear. I write to gain clarity for myself first and foremost, not for others. I also like discussing the topic with others to form a better opinion and like to use what others have to say to shape how I think. Sorry you don’t feel the same way.