RoR: Forum

Please delete this quote.

Post 1

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 3:41am

I just wanted to say -- before this thread vanishes -- that I agree with Steve's evaluation and that, as I noted elsewhere, Ayn Rand's use of the term amounts to a psychological sense of kinship with worthy others rather than a legal pronouncement of duty-bound ethics at the point of a gun.

See my new blog entry "Neighborly Nutters" for more.

You may delete this thread when ready though I will still sanction the quote because I agree with it.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 1/10, 5:39am)

Post 2

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 8:41am

Luke,

I also asked Teresa via email to delete the quote, she said, "no."

I don't disagree with what I said, nor am I embarrassed to find that the objectionable phrase had been used by Ayn Rand (and as you pointed out - in a psychological context). I agree with you, that is isn't a phrase that should be used in the context of thread (moral-legal) where Teresa took it, and I still don't like if for the reason I stated (its popularity as a communist/union rallying cry).

If I'd remembered reading it in Rand's work, I'd have mentioned that she used it, but it wouldn't have changed my belief in this minor argument about this phrase.

I asked Teresa to take the quote down because I'm offended that she put it there in hopes of making me feel bad. I don't come to RoR to be in the intellectual presence of people whose motivation is to make me feel bad. I resent her behaving in that fashion. What kind of place would this become if most of the posts were naked attempts to make others look bad? Not one I'd come to for very long.

Post 3

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 9:35am

Given that Teresa basically agreed with me on a similar notion in another thread, I am puzzled that she would post this to make you feel bad and have trouble buying that as her motive.

Perhaps she would like to comment before anyone psychologizes further.

Post 4

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 10:35am

I was hoping for more input on the thread, because I thought it deserved more attention.

Stayed up until 3am reading and thinking about why this was bothering me, when it dawned on me that Curtis was inadvertently advocating a very similar, but extremely unpopular postion held by MSK a few years ago.

Kelly also tried to make a case for positive rights like this, but he had neither the technical grasp, or powers of articulation Curtis is using. I still think it's wrong, but the angle more interesting.

Ted's economic argument in this issue is much more compelling, and maybe that should be the focus instead of Curtis's take. I don't know.

Anyway, "feelings" had nothing to do with it. Feelings are the feeler's responsibility, not mine. I'm not going to be manipulated into walking on eggshells for the sake of feelings here.

Post 5

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 10:36am

Luke,

You might have missed her comments from an earlier thread with her calling me a troll. And the annoyance she showed that I wouldn't move or delete old posts of mine. And her refusal to remove this quote - something that should be a simple courtesy for a fellow member.

Sometimes it isn't psychologizing.

I've not asked anyone to walk on eggshells. I'd just like not to be told by the editor to delete my posts and to not have her calling me names. When she deleted all of Ted's posts that were over a week old, that was at his request, and it made a complete hash of those threads.
(Edited by Steve Wolfer on 1/10, 10:41am)

Post 6

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 12:36pm

Manipulators never ask for permission.

Post 7

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 1:29pm

Steve, I've deleted this quote as you requested. Whatever the motivation for posting the quote was, I think it's fair enough that you might interpret it in a negative light, especially given the less than positive interactions lately. I don't want valuable features of this site to be used as weapons, or to an impression that they are. We're all looking for positive value by contributing to this site, and I want to keep the focus on the positive to some degree.

Personally, I also agreed completely with the content, as well as your many fine posts recently.

Post 8

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 2:02pm