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Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by throwawaysleep on Tuesday May 21, 2024 @11:41PM (#40437081)
I wrote an earlier reply to someone about how all I learned from the several mandatory ethics courses is that the people who cheat tend to be winners even after their punishment, if any.

I bet that even after all this, that kid will still be better off having cheated than not.

Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by hilux on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @12:25AM (#40437325)
Indeed - last I checked, Kaavya Viswanathan was doing just fine. Even had a stint at white-shoe law firm.
Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by capybara_2020 on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @12:05AM (#40437224)
I am curious, what is the definition of winners here? Do they make more money or do they invent more successful products/ideas or is it something else?
Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by throwawaysleep on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @12:15AM (#40437278)
Money, social acceptance, access to desirable partners, positions of prestige, etc. All the nice things we wrestle over in life.

Anything you compete for except the “he was a good man” phrasing in obituaries, the cheaters usually get to have. Even if caught.

Not cheating outside of a few really heinous crimes such as murder (killing your science fair opponent wouldn’t be a winning strategy if caught) is an altruistic action.

Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by rendall on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @12:58AM (#40437482)
> Not cheating... is an altruistic action.

Wow that's dark.

Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by JKCalhoun on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @09:51AM (#40441029)
> Not cheating outside of a few really heinous crimes such as murder (killing your science fair opponent wouldn’t be a winning strategy if caught) is an altruistic action.

I can only imagine someone trying to justify cheating would say that.

Cheating on your spouse is okay? Not cheating on your spouse altruistic? That concept is alien to me. I don't understand someone having no self-respect or being completely numb to how others feel. I know some exist, but I can't comprehend.

If there's "winning" in life it's through living a good and happy life. Some time past our teenage years I think all but the most self-adsorbed people realize that being kind and respectful to others also contributes to our own happiness.

Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by fattegourmet on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @01:35AM (#40437653)
I had an ethics (philosophy) course in uni and I don't think _ethos_ is about winning.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethos

Re:Scandal at America's top science fair by throwawaysleep on Wednesday May 22, 2024 @04:18AM (#40438582)
It isn't. But that is what makes it irrelevant to the target audience.