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I guess, in terms of Louis CK as an example, how you tell him his actions are inappropriate?
I would say you don't go and see him. Do you feel he has paid his penance and understands the problem, won't do it again? Then go see him.
Society acts to tell people what is and isn't appropriate, but we are society, right, so that's our actions. If you're OK with it, be OK with it.
n3il-
I suppose that highlights a slight difference in someone like Louis CK and my original example. If CK does a gig and no one shows up, he's being sent a clear message. If i decide to flick straight past Beausoleil's record and put on 'Hey' by the Glitter Band (because fuck Gary - they were better without him anyway), he's not going to give any hoots whatsoever. I've got no influence there, so it's purely down to how his actions affect my enjoyment of his artistic output. There's probably also an element of me being concerned with how others would view me enjoying murderer or rapist music. If i was lying about not liking Gary Glitter just now and actually played his records regularly, I still might think twice about doing so in the car, volume up, windows down.
AlexD
How we feel about it is irrelevant in my opinion. The capitulation to identity politics and moral idealism has led to a situation where work is increasingly understood as an extension of its maker, to be judged according to the virtuousness of his or her intent. It's puritanical, boring and prevents us from confronting the always complex and often ugly reality of being a person in the world. I really believe you have to be able to separate art from the artist. I would say most of the 'art' I like, be it music, literature, architecture, whatever... has come from people who are at best slightly bizarre personalities and at worst outright cunts. Unfortunately people are fragile and they make bad decisions in life. It's simplistic and, frankly, thick to suggest that Person A is good and Person B is bad. We are all imperfect, but the unambiguous beauty of things we are able to produce outside of ourselves is something to strive for and gives us purpose beyond our silly selves.
An interesting case currently is Louis CK, who wanked off inappropriately in front of several women some years ago. As I understand it he sought consent but it's not clear if they felt saying no was really an option. It was really creepy and people, the wankees especially I imagine, are rightly disgusted by his actions. He's been lumped in with the Cosbys and Weinsteins, probably unfairly but inevitably given the timing. He's apologised and taken some time off but I think he recently performed at a comedy club, presumably dipping his toe back in the water with a view to making a return. So how do we feel about that? I personally find Louis CK really funny and an inspiring person (not including the wanking), but it will have affected my view of him even though he talks depraved stuff all the time. If I pay to go and see Louis CK, am I complicit in his inappropriate wanking off? Should he be banned from performing again?