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Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

blog.mozilla.org

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Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#371

Post by OpieCunningham »

Touche wrote: post #251
camus2 wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Eich made a mistake when he supported prop 8 Nothing proves that Eich think he did make a mistake. He never apologized for that and refused to talk about it.I'm sure he would not need to resign if he did apologize. People make mistakes, and most people will forgive if an apology is issued.

It doesn't matter what Eich thinks. History isn't going to reverse course so there's no need for those who are wrong to fall to their knees and beg for forgiveness. Being graceful in victory is about letting those who opposed you to get away with their mistake.

How many lives need to be ruined before an oppressed community can fight back? Sainthood should not be a bar that everyone must meet in order to avoid being labeled with a black mark. This guy attacked a large group of people and that group defended itself by explaining their displeasure at his recent privilege. He then suffered the consequence of having his privilege removed. Good.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#372

Post by bruceb »

sanxiyn wrote: post #101
nostrademons wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It speaks a lot to his integrity that he didn't. Would you rather have a CEO who says one thing in public and then goes and does another thing surreptitiously, or one who stands up for his beliefs even when they're unpopular?

I think this showed Eich is insufficiently dedicated to Mozilla's mission. If Eich believed he can help Mozilla's mission by being a CEO (otherwise, why bother?), is lying about an issue more important than how much you could help Mozilla's mission? Utilitarian 101. On the other hand, Eich probably didn't make such utilitarian calculation, and followed "do not lie" deontology instead. Pity.

dumb question alert. Why are some replies so light you can barley read them? Is this something new on HN?

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#374

Post by akerl_ »

bashinator wrote: post #255
akerl_ wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would have considered him a worse person if he'd done that. I disagree with his opinions on marriage, but he has the right to have those opinions, and to provide support for causes he believes in. I'm not shocked the he is stepping down, or that others in the organization appear to have applied substantial pressure on him to do so, but it makes me sad. Their statements about supporting freedom of speech are hollow:…

There's a difference between expressing an opinion, and actively working to establish legal and social policy.

Is there? I don't think we want to take the stance, as a society, that it's ok to have unpopular opinions as long as you don't advocate for your opinions.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#375

Post by gum_ina_package »

No one should feel victorious or good about the outcome of this thing. An individual, who apparently incredibly qualified and talent enough to lead an org like Mozilla, was forced to step down because of his socio-political views. No allegations of discrimination or misconduct on his part were made, but because he donated $1K to a cause that goes against public opinion he is forced out. What if his alleged opposition towards gay marriage (I say alleged because we don't really know why he donated $1K) was due to religious or moral convictions? As long as he didn't discriminate in the workplace, who's the victim here?

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#376

Post by thumbtackthief »

zheng wrote: post #294
nostrademons wrote: post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This line of reasoning is very troubling to me, because 20 years ago it was pretty much unacceptable in the U.S. to hold the opinion that gays were entitled to full legal rights, let alone the ability to marry. That changed only because some very courageous people stuck their neck out, weathered all the flack and negative personal repercussions towards themselves, and gradually made the point of "Why not?" I fully su…

Wish I had more upvotes for this. It's surprising how intolerant people become once their opinion becomes the socially acceptable one.

Yes, you can see all the campaigning for him to be stripped of legal protection. Clearly the exact same thing.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#377

Post by gkya »

gum_ina_package wrote: post #88

I honestly feel like Brendan is the victim here. He might have religious or moral views on gay marriage that some of us don't agree with, but being forced to step down as CEO because of those views... well that's something I don't think any of his critics should be proud of.

I totally agree. People should be free to possess political views and support organisations that defend those views, even though those views are not favourable to others, as long as no anti-democratic and/or violent act is taken. Gay marriage might be subject to many dissidences, and if supporting one side in such situation causes one to get forced and threatened to quit their job in a culture, it's certain that that culture has nothing to do with freedom (of speech) or democracy.

I personally support gay marriage, and freedom of gay people; but have concerns with gay couples adopting, because as far as I am aware, the utopia in which those children adopted by gay couples would not be bullied and ridiculed does not exist.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#378

Post by BuckRogers »

phillmv wrote: post #14

From the recode recap - http://recode.net/2014/04/03/mozilla-co-founder-brendan-eich... >“It’s clear that Brendan cannot lead Mozilla in this setting,” said Baker, who added that she would not and could not speak for Eich. “The ability to lead — particularly for the CEO — is fundamental to the role and that is not possible here.” The most damning aspect of this was their a) inability to predict this would be an issue…

"""All he had to do was lie and say "I understand how my activities can be seen as divisive and wrong and inconsistent with my commitment to upholding the diverse values underpinning the Mozilla community and I apologize for my behaviour at the time. I will do everything in my power to make up for it and I hope the community can judge me based me on my record from this point onwards"."""

He did say that. https://brendaneich.com/2014/03/inclusiveness-at-mozilla/

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#380

Post by baddox »

dopamean wrote: post #131
DangerousPie wrote: post #45

I am a strong supporter of gay marriage, but I have to say that I find this very unfortunate and worrying. Apparently many Mozilla supporters seem to think it is okay to bully a qualified person out of his job only for his political views, even if they had absolutely no effect on his qualification or his actions on the job. I can't help but feel like this campaign has done a lot more harm to him than his $1000 donati…

I generally agree with you but I think the problem here is that being against gay marriage is more than just a "political view." Being for low taxes is a political view. Being for smaller government is a political view. Believing a certain group of people don't deserve to live their lives like other simply because of who they love is not a political view. It reads as extremely hateful and that makes people uncomforta…

> I generally agree with you but I think the problem here is that being against gay marriage is more than just a "political view."

Not necessarily. It's quite possible to support gay partners' legal right to live together, file taxes together, set up wills and visitation rights, adopt children, etc., but still oppose changing the legally-defined notion of marriage.

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