2 ms·

> that doesn't make them illegitimate. neither is it illegitimate to continue to boycott something you think is likely still causing harm but is now just being

by Nursie 5y ago

> that doesn't make them illegitimate. neither is it illegitimate to continue to boycott something you think is likely still causing harm but is now just being quiet about it. > After he had his conversion and became Paul the Apostle, would you really continue to boycott him? Given I don't believe in any of his writings, nor that the church he helped bring into being is a force for good, sure, why not? I'm boycotting him right now. But all of this is a sideshow - the hypocrisy is the point.

josephcsible 5y ago
Okay, pick anyone else then. Someone who definitely did something bad enough to be boycott-worthy, but later completely turned over a new leaf. Would you really never forgive them?
- throwawayboise 5y ago
  Yes, the notion that one mistake (or even behavior over a period of time) is forever irredeemable does not forge a path to a more enlightened civility.
- Nursie 5y ago
  I can forgive people certainly. But if (for instance) a public figure has espoused some pretty abhorrent views then I'm probably not going to bother looking them up or engaging with them specifically - we have an excess of talking heads as it is, and they've made clear that they are prone to holding those sorts of views. I wish them well in another career. Yes, people can be redeemed and forgiven. But that doesn't mean we don't take their past into account at all, or believe the first set of crocodile tears or profit-preserving contrition that they punt out to save face. Let me throw it back - Would you trust a new medical testing company headed up by Elizabeth Holmes? I wouldn't, regardless of how genuine her regrets and apologies on the matter seem. That doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to get a job and live a life, after she's served her time, paid her dues to society and demonstrated she's moved on. Perhaps she'll achieve something honest and good with her life. But I'm never getting a blood test from Theranos MkII, regardless.

by Nursie 5y ago

josephcsible 5y ago

Okay, pick anyone else then. Someone who definitely did something bad enough to be boycott-worthy, but later completely turned over a new leaf. Would you really never forgive them?

throwawayboise 5y ago
Yes, the notion that one mistake (or even behavior over a period of time) is forever irredeemable does not forge a path to a more enlightened civility.
Nursie 5y ago
I can forgive people certainly. But if (for instance) a public figure has espoused some pretty abhorrent views then I'm probably not going to bother looking them up or engaging with them specifically - we have an excess of talking heads as it is, and they've made clear that they are prone to holding those sorts of views. I wish them well in another career. Yes, people can be redeemed and forgiven. But that doesn't mean we don't take their past into account at all, or believe the first set of crocodile tears or profit-preserving contrition that they punt out to save face. Let me throw it back - Would you trust a new medical testing company headed up by Elizabeth Holmes? I wouldn't, regardless of how genuine her regrets and apologies on the matter seem. That doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to get a job and live a life, after she's served her time, paid her dues to society and demonstrated she's moved on. Perhaps she'll achieve something honest and good with her life. But I'm never getting a blood test from Theranos MkII, regardless.