MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein’s money today

Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by im3w1l on Thursday September 05, 2019 @05:27AM (#20885149)

I'm trying to understand the ideology and thinking behind saying his money should not be taken. This is what I came up with.

"The world consists of Good and Bad people. Everything that bad people do is intrinsically bad, because it was done by a Bad person. Moreover the Bad can rub off on anyone getting too close.

Even an act that is normally Good, such as funding science becomes Bad if done by a Bad person. The scientists becomes tainted. The institute becomes tained. Even the knowledge itself is suspect.

This is why it's important to keep convicts isolated, untouchable pariah even after they have served their time. Their Bad needs to be quarantined."

It's probably a bit unfair but I can't think of anything else.

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Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by conscion on Thursday September 05, 2019 @08:54AM (#20886136)

I think the argument against taking money from him centers around influence.

Taking money from someone is perceived as them gaining influence over the opinions and actions of the person receiving it. When the person donating is a "bad person" then they are a bad influence and taint the receivers actions also.

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Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by im3w1l on Thursday September 05, 2019 @09:20AM (#20886364)

I can see how this is sometimes true, like if big tobacco donated to research on the safety of tobacco. Or if they took money from Epstein and used it to research sexuality in children that would be a problem.

But I don't see how that concern applies in this case.

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Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by AndrewBissell on Thursday September 05, 2019 @10:40AM (#20887111)

Epstein showed a lot of interest in all kinds of scientifically and ethically dubious ideas like eugenics, and he actively prodded people in favor of these ideas at the dinners, parties, and jet rides he hosted.

This was not a case of a guy just writing a check and receding back into the woodwork. (Even if it was, I'd still say "trafficking children to be raped" is a bridge too far on the path of "ethical violations which are sufficient to refuse donations.")

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Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by jjeaff on Friday September 06, 2019 @06:18AM (#20894426)

I wonder how many pro-eugenecists realize that if their dream became a reality, they might not make the cut...

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Re:MIT Media Lab founder: I would still take Jeffrey Epstein... by nitePhyyre on Thursday September 05, 2019 @05:14PM (#20890691)

Judging by the other responses, you nailed it. Not being unfair at all. Unfortunately.

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