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> Can you explain why you think they're evil now? That seems like an awfully strong position. I have been working on a long form essay on this for months. It h

by breck 2y ago

> Can you explain why you think they're evil now? That seems like an awfully strong position. I have been working on a long form essay on this for months. It has not fully annealed in my mind yet. But right now, heuristics leads me to think they are evil. I can think of so many times where I and people I care about have been harmed by secrets (some fatal). I can't think of a single case where I was helped by someone keeping a secret.

Jtsummers 2y ago
Homosexuals in a homophobic society (especially the more violent ones) might appreciate you not outing them. They would probably consider you the one doing evil for revealing their secret. You really couldn’t think of things like that? At a less extreme position, are you willing to post your name and SSN in your public profile so others can benefit from your openness while you are harmed? Yeah, some things shouldn’t be secret. Some people hurt themselves and those around them with secrets. Asserting that all secrets are evil is just absurd though. Focus on helping them open up about what should be shared and help them understand why or that they are safe sharing with you. Don’t tell them they are committing an evil act by keeping secrets like some fire and brimstone preacher. Who wants to talk to that guy?
- breck 2y ago
  > in a homophobic society (especially the more violent ones) There is your evil problem, right there. There is a saying "lesser of 2 evils". Secrecy may be the lesser of two evils, but it's still evil. I have tremendous respect for people who tell the truth in societies where doing so comes with repercussions. They are the ones who change the world. They are the good ones. The violent repressors are most evil of course, but the ones who practice secrecy in fear I also don't have much respect for. > are you willing to post your name and SSN in your public profile so others can benefit from your openness while you are harmed? I've done this many times. And no one has harmed me (well, a few dishonest people have tried, and it was very painful...for them). > Asserting that all secrets are evil is just absurd though Why? I am not sure if it is correct, but it seems like it might be. It might be that secrets are generally the lesser of 2 evils, but always above zero on the evil measure.

by breck 2y ago

Jtsummers 2y ago

Homosexuals in a homophobic society (especially the more violent ones) might appreciate you not outing them. They would probably consider you the one doing evil for revealing their secret. You really couldn’t think of things like that? At a less extreme position, are you willing to post your name and SSN in your public profile so others can benefit from your openness while you are harmed? Yeah, some things shouldn’t be secret. Some people hurt themselves and those around them with secrets. Asserting that all secrets are evil is just absurd though. Focus on helping them open up about what should be shared and help them understand why or that they are safe sharing with you. Don’t tell them they are committing an evil act by keeping secrets like some fire and brimstone preacher. Who wants to talk to that guy?

breck 2y ago
> in a homophobic society (especially the more violent ones) There is your evil problem, right there. There is a saying "lesser of 2 evils". Secrecy may be the lesser of two evils, but it's still evil. I have tremendous respect for people who tell the truth in societies where doing so comes with repercussions. They are the ones who change the world. They are the good ones. The violent repressors are most evil of course, but the ones who practice secrecy in fear I also don't have much respect for. > are you willing to post your name and SSN in your public profile so others can benefit from your openness while you are harmed? I've done this many times. And no one has harmed me (well, a few dishonest people have tried, and it was very painful...for them). > Asserting that all secrets are evil is just absurd though Why? I am not sure if it is correct, but it seems like it might be. It might be that secrets are generally the lesser of 2 evils, but always above zero on the evil measure.