Comments on: “That Was the Point” http://timothyblee.com/2009/08/12/that-was-the-point/ A Blog by Timothy B. Lee Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:37:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Alex Klein http://timothyblee.com/2009/08/12/that-was-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Alex Klein Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:59:38 +0000 http://timothyblee.com/?p=403#comment-60 Kevin and I have talked about this on and off for the past 4 years -- it's always been a very interesting topic. We've come across identity-scrubbing services (great scammy idea) and countless local and national anecdotes (leaked Sanford emails, speechwriters fondling Hillary's breasts in FB pics, and on and on), and there's only one real overarching similarity: Compromising material doesn't get someone in trouble; his handling of the matter afterward is what decides his fate. This is really no different from baseball players' reactions to steroid leaks, 1960s senators' handling of rumors of affairs, and celebrities' reactions to leaked sex tapes. If you embrace your past mistakes, say the right things, tell the whole story, and stay squeaky clean for a few months, you're almost 100% good to go. If you botch your reaction, whether we're talking about 150 years ago or 25 yeasr from now, you're gonna go down. It's all in the reaction -- it doesn't (and won't) matter what you're reacting to. Kevin and I have talked about this on and off for the past 4 years — it’s always been a very interesting topic. We’ve come across identity-scrubbing services (great scammy idea) and countless local and national anecdotes (leaked Sanford emails, speechwriters fondling Hillary’s breasts in FB pics, and on and on), and there’s only one real overarching similarity: Compromising material doesn’t get someone in trouble; his handling of the matter afterward is what decides his fate.

This is really no different from baseball players’ reactions to steroid leaks, 1960s senators’ handling of rumors of affairs, and celebrities’ reactions to leaked sex tapes. If you embrace your past mistakes, say the right things, tell the whole story, and stay squeaky clean for a few months, you’re almost 100% good to go. If you botch your reaction, whether we’re talking about 150 years ago or 25 yeasr from now, you’re gonna go down. It’s all in the reaction — it doesn’t (and won’t) matter what you’re reacting to.

]]> By: Christopher Monnier http://timothyblee.com/2009/08/12/that-was-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Christopher Monnier Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:12:45 +0000 http://timothyblee.com/?p=403#comment-59 > <i>Public attitudes are changing rapidly, and I think the Internet will only accelerate that development</i> I think that's one of the greatest benefits of the internet. By making things that most people do but don't talk about at least somewhat public, it will hopefully (and I don't see how it can't) get people to come to grips with the fact that certain behavior is just part of being human, and isn't necessarily something to be ashamed of or to make illegal. > Public attitudes are changing rapidly, and I think the Internet will only accelerate that development

I think that’s one of the greatest benefits of the internet. By making things that most people do but don’t talk about at least somewhat public, it will hopefully (and I don’t see how it can’t) get people to come to grips with the fact that certain behavior is just part of being human, and isn’t necessarily something to be ashamed of or to make illegal.

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