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Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

nytimes.com

61–70 of 770 posts

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#62
post #52

> I don't get it. This is one of those things where somebody noticed that things just didn't seem right and the proper response to that is to raise concern and ask questions. Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up. Sure some of these people have trophy wives half their age, and it raises eyebrows, but this is far beyond that and totally unacceptable once somebody looks…

>Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up Honestly, it sounds like you just don’t go out very much.

If this sort of scenario seems normal to you, maybe you live in the wrong neighborhood.

I see a lot of shit when I go outside, but old geezers with entourages of very young eastern european women is not something I can claim to have witnessed.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#63
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An entire system that incentivizes and absolves this behavior at all levels. I’m serious. This is what power and wealth do: they allow you to break the rules that the rest of us plebs have to abide by.

"I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything." -- future President of the United States, Donald Trump.

> “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”

That same future president being quoted in an article about Epstein in 2002.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#64

> I don't get it. This is one of those things where somebody noticed that things just didn't seem right and the proper response to that is to raise concern and ask questions. Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up. Sure some of these people have trophy wives half their age, and it raises eyebrows, but this is far beyond that and totally unacceptable once somebody looks…

> Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up.

The only problematic thing here is the age of those models.

Otherwise, rich people like that are often surrounded with girls of questionable morals and intentions, who do stuff and in return get stuff (some would call it prostitution, some would imply that prostitution had an agreement done in advance...). In some poorer countries, just an expensive car and willingness to pay expensive drinks can get you a table full of such girls.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#65

This article is filled with strangely matter-of-fact language regarding matters which are still unsolved: For example: > Mr. Epstein — who killed himself in jail last month while facing federal sex trafficking charges

The medical examiner officially ruled it a suicide, so that's where it stands today.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#66
post #52

> I don't get it. This is one of those things where somebody noticed that things just didn't seem right and the proper response to that is to raise concern and ask questions. Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up. Sure some of these people have trophy wives half their age, and it raises eyebrows, but this is far beyond that and totally unacceptable once somebody looks…

>Sorry, but a 60-something "finance" guy with an entourage of teen models doesn't add up Honestly, it sounds like you just don’t go out very much.

Well, I guess I am not cool enough to go to places where I can see old-guy billionaires with teen models from Eastern Europe in tow.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#67
post #14

Those in glass houses... “They were models. Eastern European, definitely,” she told me. Among the lab’s staff, she said, “all of us women made it a point to be super nice to them. We literally had a conversation about how, on the off chance that they’re not there by choice, we could maybe help them.” And what did these people go home and start doing for Eastern European models since then? I find this pretty condescen…

> "I know a few Eastern European models" Do you?

In Tokyo you could walk into a nightclub at 2am on a wednesday night and the place was filled with eastern european models (bored and in town for photo shoots), and mostly western english teachers. Ok that was kind of bizarre, but if you live in a major city yes there will be models. They don’t just exist in advertising.

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#68

Jesus. Who lets a guy get away with that for so freaking long?

Most people would if it’s normalized. Not long ago Saudi Arabian money and PRC money was just fine. It’s hard not to take it when it’s about survival.

Isn't "taking Saudi money" Uber's current business model?

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#69
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't figure out why anybody would think Epstein's previous criminal conviction was irrelevant to the matter of Epstein's reputation. I'm trying to assume good faith, but it's not easy.

Not everyone works from the same knowledge base. OP could have heard about Epstein in passing, per se, and not known about his extensive criminal history or previous arrest/trial. I only know about these things from Reddit posters and not much else. There is probably a whole host of information you and I do not know about him; it's important to be aware of your blind spots but also the blind spots of others.

Well in assuming good faith I assume he read the article, which should have cleared up any such misunderstandings...

Re: Joi Ito Resigns from M.I.T. Media Lab After Outcry over Jeffrey Epstein Ties

#70
post #53
post #13

In the other thread, people were saying "I'd take Epstein's dirty money and do good with it." But the problem is that doing so normalizes the behavior. Everybody who has doubts about working with the creep looks around the room, and when they don't see anyone else objecting, ends up thinking "I guess we're all ok with this behavior" and goes along to get along.

Normalize the taking money? Maybe, but not the child trafficking part.

If you take the money you have to turn a blind eye to the child trafficking part.
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