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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

#551

Post by benched »

andrewguenther wrote: post #529
benched wrote: post #473

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"for his political views" In this case, you cannot speak generally like this. In this case, it really matters exactly what those political views are, not just that they are "political". And that's why there was such an uproar, and why he's stepping down. People seem to be willfully misunderstanding this. It's not like, "Whoa! Guys! We can persecute people for their ''''political'''' views now? What's up with that?" N…

"And it really does not take a genius, or an orator, to see which side is the oppressing one." I only see one side that pushed someone out of a job here.

On a scale of 1 to 5, how strong of an argument do you believe you're making right here? That an individual assuming a position of high leadership being pressured to leave that leadership position, is equivalent enough to people withholding civil rights from a minority group, to use the word "oppress" to refer to both, to make a rhetorical point? Do you feel like you're really nailing the issue here?

Also, now I have to take back that line anyway. Maybe it does take the ability to categorize well.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#552

Post by robinhowlett »

I wouldn't be surprised if this scenario will be repeated within the free software tech community for other contentious issues. As we see with recent Supreme Court actions taken by Hobby Lobby, company leadership's personal viewpoints do influence people's relationships to those companies.

It appears the most vocal against Eich view, I imagine, same-sex marriage as a fundamental human right.

Will other topics go this way, like, for example, the "climate change" debate, especially as those topics evolve? There seems is a rising group of people who view skepticism/denial of catastrophic anthropogenic climate change akin to that level.

Mozilla's Manifesto doesn't speak to holding any particular viewpoint outside of promotion of a free, accessible Internet and free, open software.

However, the principle of "transparent community-based processes promote participation, accountability and trust" must have influenced both the internal culture and its users, who felt that Eich's actions didn't reflect their views. Chick-fil-a is in the reverse scenario but doesn't seem to experience this kind of thing.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#553

Post by azakai »

bruceb wrote: post #457
azakai wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was at least one mozilla employee that reported on their blog that they received death threats when they blogged about support for the new CEO (despite initially conflicting feelings, the blogger is gay). I'm not linking to the blog because they might end up getting more abuse. When controversial stuff like this happens, it is sadly common to receive death threats on the internet. Given that employees merely vo…

Why would you not link to it? It is a public blog it is meant to be read. Respectful your point makes no logically sense. You think the HN crowd is the youtube crowd? Is it this one: http://incisive.nu/2014/thinking-about-mozilla/

I was talking about a different blogpost actually.

While I agree with you that the HN crowd is not YouTube, there are still many people reading this and sharing with others etc., and since the blogger I am talking about has already been harassed, I don't see a point in drawing more attention there. It doesn't help our discussion anyhow, there are only downsides.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#554

Post by shinratdr »

Touche wrote: post #95
ZanyProgrammer wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who persecuted Eich? His detractors were merely engaging in their freedom of speech. You know, free market and all that.

It's about being a gracious victor. Yes, Eich was on the wrong side of history when he supported prop 8 those years ago. Yes, those who support gay marriage are "right" and history will show this. But the graceful thing to do when you're right is not to curb-stomp those who were wrong. It's not to rub it in their face. It's not to ruin their lives because they made a mistake. The graceful thing to do when you are rig…

You keep saying "was" and "opposed" like his opinion has changed. For it to be a mistake, you have to first own up to it, and second, apologize and try to make amends.

Brendan has don neither, and in fact has pretty much doubled-down on his opposition with his clearly crafted non-answers.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#555

Post by Di4YouPu »

As inventor of javaScript, working for Netscape and later for Mozilla, without Brendan Eich the project is dead.

Homo or hetero... You all have problems with your sexual fantasies. Did I miss to say "fucking"? Should I give a "fuck" about you? Back in your pants, stupid!

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#556

Post by priyankc »

ebbv wrote: post #370
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?

Integrity is only admirable when you are standing up for what's right.

right for whom?

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#558

Post by waterlesscloud »

mef wrote: post #416
BuckRogers wrote: post #378

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"""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://bren…

He did not apologize for his behaviour, he expressed his "sorrow at having caused pain." Quite different.

It's really not, but people choose to see it that way.

Re: Brendan Eich Steps Down as Mozilla CEO

#559

Post by lern_too_spel »

akerl_ wrote: post #374
bashinator wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Why not? I don't care if my neighbor believes aliens built the pyramids and some deity created all animals in their present form in six days. I do care if they pressure the school board to teach those things to my children.

In the same way, I don't care if somebody believes that different races shouldn't intermarry because of dilution of racial purity or that people of the same sex shouldn't marry because of Adam and Steve. I do care if they try to put that into law.

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