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The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

theguardian.com

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Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#31

Post by davrosthedalek »

bb88 wrote: post #26
burnstek wrote: post #18

If you have a problem with MIT taking Epstein's money, then you have a problem with money in general. We all take money in some fashion from disgusting, psychotic, and evil people on a regular basis. Particularly so when we're on social security, medicare, or another social program. It's like the people who are against hunting, but who are happy to eat store bought meat.

So taxes are mandatory. They don't change the reputation of a person. Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout, when in fact deep down he's profiting on human misery.

I agree, but these contributions were anonymous. So the reach of the sleazeball to boy scout effect was limited to the people Epstein talked to anyway, and could see the sleazeballness first hand.

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#32

Post by lone_haxx0r »

bb88 wrote: post #26
burnstek wrote: post #18

If you have a problem with MIT taking Epstein's money, then you have a problem with money in general. We all take money in some fashion from disgusting, psychotic, and evil people on a regular basis. Particularly so when we're on social security, medicare, or another social program. It's like the people who are against hunting, but who are happy to eat store bought meat.

So taxes are mandatory. They don't change the reputation of a person. Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout, when in fact deep down he's profiting on human misery.

> Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout

Well, that's not the sleazeball's or the charity's problem. If you and other people don't think he's a "boy scout" then he won't be seen as one. If you do, he will.

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#34

Post by rowanG077 »

bb88 wrote: post #29
rowanG077 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do they make a sleazeball look like a boy scout?

The Jeffrey Epstein Modern Art Wing The Jeffrey Epstein Pediatric Fund for Incurable Childhood Illnesses The Jeffrey Epstein Research Lab at MIT The Jeffrey Epstein Fund for Worldwide Peace (Note: some of these I'm sure I made up...)

This doesn't answer the question. You really think a person that knows Epstein has done the things he has done and knows about the "The Jeffrey Epstein Research Lab at MIT" is going to think that Epstein is some A OK dude?

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#35

Post by bradly »

rowanG077 wrote: post #27
bradly wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd like to recognize a rapist for their charitable givings? edit: This was a poor comment. I shouldn't have phrased my point in such a crass way when I do not actually believe rowanG077 thinks what I wrote above. Sorry for my tone, rowanG077. It wasn't helpful to the conversation.

Depends on what you mean by recognize. I certainly don't think we should hide it. I also don't think we should "forget" the person is a rapist. But the main point I am making is that we shouldn't stop the rapist from making charitable givings. Nor should we punish institutions for taking that money.

Many people believe the charitable givings were what gave Epstein his credibility, allowing him to continue what he was doing. Accepting the donations was enabling Epstein.

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#36

Post by davrosthedalek »

bb88 wrote: post #16
rowanG077 wrote: post #2

I really don't follow. What does Epsteins background have to do with the funding he was bringing to MIT? People aren't one dimensional. What Epstein did was disgusting, it has nothing to do with him funding some MIT research. MIT taking that funding is not in any way supporting what Epstein did.

What's ironic, is that's the same mentality that Joichi Ito had to resign for. Money that comes from illegal or immoral activity colors it. You may think it's the same money, but the source of the money is important for institutions that have moral and ethical standards.

No quite. He also hid the donation from MIT, as Epstein was blacklisted. That part alone should get him fired.

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#38

Post by bb88 »

lone_haxx0r wrote: post #32
bb88 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So taxes are mandatory. They don't change the reputation of a person. Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout, when in fact deep down he's profiting on human misery.

> Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout Well, that's not the sleazeball's or the charity's problem. If you and other people don't think he's a "boy scout" then he won't be seen as one. If you do, he will.

So MIT should be able to accept money profited from Child Traffickers and Drug Cartels?

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#39

Post by lone_haxx0r »

bb88 wrote: post #38
lone_haxx0r wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Charitable contributions can make a sleazeball look like a boy scout Well, that's not the sleazeball's or the charity's problem. If you and other people don't think he's a "boy scout" then he won't be seen as one. If you do, he will.

So MIT should be able to accept money profited from Child Traffickers and Drug Cartels?

Yes, though that's probably illegal on the donor's side, but I see no problem with MIT receiving it.

Re: The Epstein scandal at MIT shows the moral bankruptcy of techno elites

#40

Post by howeyc »

burnstek wrote: post #18

If you have a problem with MIT taking Epstein's money, then you have a problem with money in general. We all take money in some fashion from disgusting, psychotic, and evil people on a regular basis. Particularly so when we're on social security, medicare, or another social program. It's like the people who are against hunting, but who are happy to eat store bought meat.

I have to agree. This is getting ridiculous. Taking money from an individual does not mean you have administered absolution.
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