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So you idolize people who create intangible things that don't make life any better for most people all over the world, but it's wrong for people to create intan

So you idolize people who create intangible things that don't make life any better for most people all over the world, but it's wrong for people to create intangible things that you don't approve of. I agree with your disapproval, just not your backwards hero worship. And if you're going to lampoon anyone who uses "ill-gotten" wealth for philanthropy... I can't see how you'll ever be happy. People do or supervise things you consider "evil," then they turn around and work charitably, but no -- it's gotta be squeaky clean all the way down? It may be time for a reality check.

thesimpsons1022 13y ago
so youre cool with hitler stealing money as long as he donates it after?
- chadwickthebold 13y ago
  ... Seriously? I never thought I'd see an instance of Godwin's Law on HN...
  - thesimpsons1022 13y ago
    I'm not comparing him to hitler. just pointing out how silly that persons comment/train of thought was.
  - kyro 13y ago
    Dismissing something via Godwin's Law is always a cop-out.
mistercow 13y ago
> it's gotta be squeaky clean all the way down? Yes. You seem to be implying that this concept is strange or ridiculous, and I don't understand why.
jeswin 13y ago
Contributions from people I idolize help some of the most important projects pushing humanity forward; like Wikipedia SpaceX/NASA/ISS and LHC. Their work supports the largest computers used in medical research and weather forcasting. Not to mention every internet service we use; and some like Twitter were invaluable tools in Tunisia and Egypt. I don't know what your definition of 'intangible' is, but people I idolize are doing some tangible, visible work.
gnaritas 13y ago
> And if you're going to lampoon anyone who uses "ill-gotten" wealth for philanthropy... I can't see how you'll ever be happy. People do or supervise things you consider "evil," then they turn around and work charitably, but no -- it's gotta be squeaky clean all the way down? Good deeds don't erase past bad deeds. No amount of charity with a fortune you earned being bad makes you a good person or absolves you of past wrongs.

thesimpsons1022 13y ago

so youre cool with hitler stealing money as long as he donates it after?

chadwickthebold 13y ago
... Seriously? I never thought I'd see an instance of Godwin's Law on HN...
- thesimpsons1022 13y ago
  I'm not comparing him to hitler. just pointing out how silly that persons comment/train of thought was.
- kyro 13y ago
  Dismissing something via Godwin's Law is always a cop-out.

mistercow 13y ago

> it's gotta be squeaky clean all the way down? Yes. You seem to be implying that this concept is strange or ridiculous, and I don't understand why.

jeswin 13y ago

Contributions from people I idolize help some of the most important projects pushing humanity forward; like Wikipedia SpaceX/NASA/ISS and LHC. Their work supports the largest computers used in medical research and weather forcasting. Not to mention every internet service we use; and some like Twitter were invaluable tools in Tunisia and Egypt. I don't know what your definition of 'intangible' is, but people I idolize are doing some tangible, visible work.

gnaritas 13y ago

> And if you're going to lampoon anyone who uses "ill-gotten" wealth for philanthropy... I can't see how you'll ever be happy. People do or supervise things you consider "evil," then they turn around and work charitably, but no -- it's gotta be squeaky clean all the way down? Good deeds don't erase past bad deeds. No amount of charity with a fortune you earned being bad makes you a good person or absolves you of past wrongs.