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So you'll have no problem if I start digging through your posting history for clues about your identity and contacting your employer to let them know what a hor

So you'll have no problem if I start digging through your posting history for clues about your identity and contacting your employer to let them know what a horrible person you are, right? .....or is that sort of thing only ok when it's done against enemies of the state?

PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago
If what you dig up on me is presented in context, and my employer has made it clear that my behavior outside the workplace can be considered grounds for termination, then absolutely go for it [0]. On the other hand, if you selectively quote me, and/or my employer has no grounds for dismissal based on something that did not happen in the workplace, please don't waste your time. [0] I'm self employed.
pcwalton 3y ago
You've successfully formulated the reasoning behind the legal "public figure" [1] standard from first principles. Elon Musk, especially when speaking in his capacity as owner of X, is unquestionably a public figure in a way that Hacker News commenter "medler" is not. (So is Media Matters.) [1]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_figure https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_figure
djbusby 3y ago
Don't dig through history, just respond to the current conversation. Advertisers didn't dig through history of posts to decide to leave, they had one final straw and dipped out in near real-time.
eapressoandcats 3y ago
I’d argue that while that’s not illegal, that definitely crosses a line and am happy to articulate that line in the way that Popehat requests (something like “don’t take a statement of someone you don’t know made to a small group of friends a long time ago and harass their employer about it to get them fired”). Obviously that behavior is legal but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s morally bad and speech chilling. Elon is a public figure who is choosing to be a public figure and the statements he made were recent, so I think that’s fair game.
medler 3y ago
I’d certainly agree you have the right to say anything to my employer you want to say, as long as it’s not defamatory. (If I posted $Y and you told them I posted $Y, then that can’t be defamatory because it’s true)

PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago

If what you dig up on me is presented in context, and my employer has made it clear that my behavior outside the workplace can be considered grounds for termination, then absolutely go for it [0]. On the other hand, if you selectively quote me, and/or my employer has no grounds for dismissal based on something that did not happen in the workplace, please don't waste your time. [0] I'm self employed.

pcwalton 3y ago

You've successfully formulated the reasoning behind the legal "public figure" [1] standard from first principles. Elon Musk, especially when speaking in his capacity as owner of X, is unquestionably a public figure in a way that Hacker News commenter "medler" is not. (So is Media Matters.) [1]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_figure https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_figure

djbusby 3y ago

Don't dig through history, just respond to the current conversation. Advertisers didn't dig through history of posts to decide to leave, they had one final straw and dipped out in near real-time.

eapressoandcats 3y ago

I’d argue that while that’s not illegal, that definitely crosses a line and am happy to articulate that line in the way that Popehat requests (something like “don’t take a statement of someone you don’t know made to a small group of friends a long time ago and harass their employer about it to get them fired”). Obviously that behavior is legal but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s morally bad and speech chilling. Elon is a public figure who is choosing to be a public figure and the statements he made were recent, so I think that’s fair game.

medler 3y ago

I’d certainly agree you have the right to say anything to my employer you want to say, as long as it’s not defamatory. (If I posted $Y and you told them I posted $Y, then that can’t be defamatory because it’s true)