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Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

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Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#391

Post by [deleted] »

jimmydddd wrote: post #352
amyjess wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just adding to this, claiming that a democratic election is rigged is one of Umberto Eco's 14 signs of Ur-Fascism [0]: > Wherever a politician casts doubt on the legitimacy of a parliament because it no longer represents the Voice of the People, we can smell Ur-Fascism. [0] http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1995/06/22/ur-fascism/

Just curious why everyone loves throwing around the term "fascist" so much. Why not use more precise language to describe what you dislike about a candidate? The term seems ambiguous, and no one seems to have a clear definition of what it is. At most, there seems to be some related factors. For example, my image of Fascists is that they heavily promote war and expanding the empire. But, in contrast, the "fascist" can…

[deleted]

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#392

Post by morgante »

bruceb wrote: post #356
dredmorbius wrote: post #350

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are known to take principled stands. Which is what this conversation's about.

People do take stands but my reply was to: > This in turn chills applications from startups working on problems not relating to white western males. With the crush of applicants now I doubt more than a very few applicants are not going to apply because Thiel is on the board.

I'd reconsider applying to YC based on this and would definitely not accept money from Thiel himself.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#393

Post by Delmania »

AlexB138 wrote: post #346
Delmania wrote: post #341

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I won't comment on the physical assault, but I do know there are no identified suspects in the firebombing. It's a bit premature to blame Trump's opposition.

The words "Nazi Republicans get out of town or else" were spray painted on an adjacent building. Are you suggesting someone who didn't oppose Republicans, and their candidate, did that?

Let me repeat this again so we're absolutely clear: there have been NO identified suspects in this case and NO reported leads. It is too premature to guess anyone's motives.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#394

Post by amyjess »

jimmydddd wrote: post #352
amyjess wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just adding to this, claiming that a democratic election is rigged is one of Umberto Eco's 14 signs of Ur-Fascism [0]: > Wherever a politician casts doubt on the legitimacy of a parliament because it no longer represents the Voice of the People, we can smell Ur-Fascism. [0] http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1995/06/22/ur-fascism/

Just curious why everyone loves throwing around the term "fascist" so much. Why not use more precise language to describe what you dislike about a candidate? The term seems ambiguous, and no one seems to have a clear definition of what it is. At most, there seems to be some related factors. For example, my image of Fascists is that they heavily promote war and expanding the empire. But, in contrast, the "fascist" can…

For normal candidates, I'd agree with you, but Trump absolutely nails a rather objective and detailed definition of fascism. See my comment elsewhere in this thread for sources: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12729018

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#395

Post by M_Grey »

ominous wrote: post #389
M_Grey wrote: post #371

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Again, as you seem not to have understood my point, you are not blacklisted, you have not been invited. There is a difference you're welcome to ignore, but don't be shocked when people don't take your complaints seriously.

It was a joke.

Sorry, Poe's Law, my bad.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#396

Post by aiig »

vsl wrote: post #383
aiig wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Even then. How about you try getting chased out of a subway station after midnight getting called a "faggot" and we'll talk. And people say that the SF tech class is out of touch.

Surely you do grasp the slight difference between words and being chased? FWIW, I think there's a difference between repugnant opinions and insults, so "faggot" is not a good example, but you're twisting OP's words dishonestly.

Definitely see that.

Though as we've seen recently, there are a lot of people who say, e.g., in the flower shop / bakery trope, "I don't have a problem with gay people, but my religion prohibits me from serving them."

In such a case, do you really need an epithet to read hate? Do you really need to hear the N word to know that people are racist? It's, at best, a very privileged (and at worst, an entirely naive) POV to suggest that you do.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#397

Post by aiig »

FeepingCreature wrote: post #373
aiig wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Even then. How about you try getting chased out of a subway station after midnight getting called a "faggot" and we'll talk. And people say that the SF tech class is out of touch.

How about you try getting uninvited from a conference getting called a "bigot" for supporting the wrong politician? I hear it feels great. Really makes you consider the other side's arguments dispassionately and clearly.

I'm so glad that you equate me fearing for my safety the same as you getting kicked out of your tech conference.

You were so victimized I'm sorry.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#398

Post by aiig »

flukus wrote: post #367
ScottBurson wrote: post #366

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tolerating their views, yes. Tolerating violence or the threat of violence, no. To call someone "faggot" is indeed to threaten violence. The word originally meant "burning stick"; that's why a lit cigarette is sometimes called a "fag". By calling someone "faggot", one is saying they should be burned alive.

Faggot hasn't had that connotation since around the same time that gay meant happy.

How enlightening this discussion is.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#399

Post by splintercell »

vsl wrote: post #379
amyjess wrote: post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Adding to this: Clinton was personally responsible for new regulations that allow trans people to easily change the gender markers on their passport and their social security records (and there's also been regulations that rendered the gender marker on social security irrelevant, though I don't remember if that was before or after Clinton left). On top of this, Mike Pence has promised to roll back the Obama administr…

"survival"? Do you honestly believe you'll be shot if Trump wins? If so, wow.

My friends were bracing for an all out race war if Obama won in 2008. Others were expecting Obama to go full Hugo Chavez on America.

Does anyone else remember that time?

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#400

Post by splintercell »

jowiar wrote: post #269
bcheung wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure I follow. Any political view usually affects all people in any room. Are you referring to Trump's bigotry? Sure, I'll admit, he is definitely a character in that regard. But again there's realistically only 2 choices. Thiel is going to take whichever one is closest. It's not ideal but that's the choice Libertarians are often forced to make.

Get a bunch of men in a room, and discuss abortion. Get a bunch of straight folks in a room and discuss AIDS research funding. Get a bunch of white folks in a room and discuss police treatment of African-Americans. Get a bunch of 5th-generation Americans in a room and discuss funding for ESL programs in schools.

Welcome to Democracy
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