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Alan Turing died 70 years ago

en.wikipedia.org

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Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#2
Interesting to note that the Justice Minister Lord McNally didn't consider a pardon appropriate, but the Queen eventually pardoned Turing after an outpouring of public support (and with the advice of the Government) [0]. (Turing was convicted for committing homosexual acts. Based on my cursory reading it seems like it was one of the reasons why he likely committed suicide. It's a tragic story of a great man, whom we all owe our gratitude.)

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing#Government_apology...

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#3

Interesting to note that the Justice Minister Lord McNally didn't consider a pardon appropriate, but the Queen eventually pardoned Turing after an outpouring of public support (and with the advice of the Government) [0]. (Turing was convicted for committing homosexual acts. Based on my cursory reading it seems like it was one of the reasons why he likely committed suicide. It's a tragic story of a great man, whom we…

It's a classic example of where legality and morality aren't aligned

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#4
What would justice have looked like for Alan Turing for his war contributions? I'm tempted to say that we should have showered him with our highest honors, that Britain should have made him a duke and a billionaire out of gratitude, and he should have had drawers full of keys to the great cities of the world. But none of that could have meaured up against just leaving the poor guy alone to pursue his own thoughts and loves. And who knows what gifts to the whole world he could have returned from that.

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#5

Interesting to note that the Justice Minister Lord McNally didn't consider a pardon appropriate, but the Queen eventually pardoned Turing after an outpouring of public support (and with the advice of the Government) [0]. (Turing was convicted for committing homosexual acts. Based on my cursory reading it seems like it was one of the reasons why he likely committed suicide. It's a tragic story of a great man, whom we…

Not simply convicted

>His probation would be conditional on his agreement to undergo hormonal physical changes designed to reduce libido, known as "chemical castration".

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#7

Interesting to note that the Justice Minister Lord McNally didn't consider a pardon appropriate, but the Queen eventually pardoned Turing after an outpouring of public support (and with the advice of the Government) [0]. (Turing was convicted for committing homosexual acts. Based on my cursory reading it seems like it was one of the reasons why he likely committed suicide. It's a tragic story of a great man, whom we…

It's a classic example of where legality and morality aren't aligned

Back then it was perfectly aligned.

Homosexuality was seen as a perversion in the public eye.

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#8
post #4

What would justice have looked like for Alan Turing for his war contributions? I'm tempted to say that we should have showered him with our highest honors, that Britain should have made him a duke and a billionaire out of gratitude, and he should have had drawers full of keys to the great cities of the world. But none of that could have meaured up against just leaving the poor guy alone to pursue his own thoughts and…

The novel "Machines Like Me" by Ian McEwan explores a Britain where Turing survived.

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#9
post #4

What would justice have looked like for Alan Turing for his war contributions? I'm tempted to say that we should have showered him with our highest honors, that Britain should have made him a duke and a billionaire out of gratitude, and he should have had drawers full of keys to the great cities of the world. But none of that could have meaured up against just leaving the poor guy alone to pursue his own thoughts and…

The novel "Machines Like Me" by Ian McEwan explores a Britain where Turing survived.

I greatly enjoyed that book (although I enjoy Ian McEwan's writing in general and YMMV).

Re: Alan Turing died 70 years ago

#10
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a classic example of where legality and morality aren't aligned

Back then it was perfectly aligned. Homosexuality was seen as a perversion in the public eye.

Countless humans got their lives destroyed because of this perfectly normal variation of human sexuality, that's atrocious and so we should never forget what happened to Alan Turing because of essentially religious fundamentalism.
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