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The fact that you have to come up with hyper-extreme examples to make this seem reasonable proves my point. Say Bob thinks women shouldn't have the right to vo

by imgabe 5y ago

The fact that you have to come up with hyper-extreme examples to make this seem reasonable proves my point. Say Bob thinks women shouldn't have the right to vote. But Bob is also kind, courteous, respectful, and professional to every real woman he interacts with at work. What is it that you think is being gained by firing Bob? If Bob starts harassing women, sure, fire his ass. But as long as he acts civilly, Bob can think whatever he wants in his own head. He can even write it down and if someone wants to publish it, good for Bob. As long as he comes to work and does his job and gets along with everyone, what is the problem? It is absolutely insane that people here are arguing that your workplace should be able to police your thoughts. We can all disagree with opinions other people have. That's not a valid enough reason to fire someone. Suppose one of your co-workers is a die-hard vegan, should he be able to get you fired you because you think there's nothing wrong with eating meat?

hn_throwaway_99 5y ago
I keep giving extreme examples because they DO prove my point: what we're really debating is what the line is regarding how offensive someone's behavior is, not whether it's done at work or not. Because again, you keep giving examples that disprove your point: > It is absolutely insane that people here are arguing that your workplace should be able to police your thoughts. I'm certainly not arguing that at all. You're free to think whatever you want. > He can even write it down and if someone wants to publish it, good for Bob. You almost make it sound like "Bob" dropped an essay on the ground and someone else happened to walk by, pick it up and publish it. Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that.
- tha0xb1 5y ago
  >Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that. You misspelled "Muhammad" as "Bob"! We agree! Let's fire every Muslim we can!
- imgabe 5y ago
  > Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that. I would have an issue with that. This is me, right here, having an issue with that. Again, remember, Bob is unfailingly civil to all his co-workers and clients and what-have-you. He does his job, at least adequately. Why are you firing him? Because he has a bad opinion? If other employees want to set up debates with Bob outside of work, or on their own time, picket bookstores where his book being sold, they're free to do that. As long as they can act civil at work and focus on selling plumbing supplies or whatever it is we do, who cares? You are arguing that having an unpopular opinion is grounds to deprive someone of the ability to make a living. To feed and shelter themselves. I know you think this power would only ever be used in the most egregiously, obviously bad situations, but historically that is not the case. It is not the case right here in this real scenario. It is not something we, as a society, should tolerate. As soon as it is allowed, it gets immediately abused. People need to be able to think, and say, whatever they want. It is only actions that warrant punishment.

by imgabe 5y ago

hn_throwaway_99 5y ago

I keep giving extreme examples because they DO prove my point: what we're really debating is what the line is regarding how offensive someone's behavior is, not whether it's done at work or not. Because again, you keep giving examples that disprove your point: > It is absolutely insane that people here are arguing that your workplace should be able to police your thoughts. I'm certainly not arguing that at all. You're free to think whatever you want. > He can even write it down and if someone wants to publish it, good for Bob. You almost make it sound like "Bob" dropped an essay on the ground and someone else happened to walk by, pick it up and publish it. Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that.

tha0xb1 5y ago
>Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that. You misspelled "Muhammad" as "Bob"! We agree! Let's fire every Muslim we can!
imgabe 5y ago
> Because in the real world if Bob wrote a paperback titled "Women are Bad for Democracy and They Shouldn't Be Able to Vote", did press junkets about this book, and actively encouraged people to buy it, then yes, he'd get fired by pretty much every company in this country and very few people would have an issue with that. I would have an issue with that. This is me, right here, having an issue with that. Again, remember, Bob is unfailingly civil to all his co-workers and clients and what-have-you. He does his job, at least adequately. Why are you firing him? Because he has a bad opinion? If other employees want to set up debates with Bob outside of work, or on their own time, picket bookstores where his book being sold, they're free to do that. As long as they can act civil at work and focus on selling plumbing supplies or whatever it is we do, who cares? You are arguing that having an unpopular opinion is grounds to deprive someone of the ability to make a living. To feed and shelter themselves. I know you think this power would only ever be used in the most egregiously, obviously bad situations, but historically that is not the case. It is not the case right here in this real scenario. It is not something we, as a society, should tolerate. As soon as it is allowed, it gets immediately abused. People need to be able to think, and say, whatever they want. It is only actions that warrant punishment.