Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about?

Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by scythe on Saturday February 13, 2021 @10:46PM (#26129487)

>Someone that publishes their name doesn't deserve anonymity, correct?

Incorrect. Someone making a mistake does not give you the right to exploit that mistake. That's what Eric Harris thought but it's not how civilized society works. The fact that Scott gave some information away (indirectly) at some point (which you call "publishing") doesn't actually change the significance of the actions.

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Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by pseudalopex on Saturday February 13, 2021 @11:18PM (#26129638)

Searching for Eric Harris just finds the murderer. Is that who you meant?

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Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by scythe on Saturday February 13, 2021 @11:52PM (#26129788)

Yes — once I read the FBI profile of Harris which noted an incident where he stole from an unlocked van and argued furiously that the victim deserved it for being foolish. It stuck in my head as a canonical example of that kind of thinking.

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Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by pseudalopex on Sunday February 14, 2021 @12:28AM (#26129942)

It's a superficial and incendiary analogy.

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Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by ketamine__ on Saturday February 13, 2021 @10:48PM (#26129500)

So if Sam Altman decides it was a mistake to reveal his name no publication should publish his name anymore?

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Re:Who is Scott Alexander and what is he about? by scythe on Saturday February 13, 2021 @11:53PM (#26129794)

Sam Altman clearly intended to be a public figure. Scott did not. This is not in question.

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