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As for separating the person from their work or not, it doesn't seem like a great move to me, to just throw out the baby with the bathwater. If the work doesn't explicitly depend on violence of some kind, I think it's fucking nuts, particularly if it's on the strength of unproven allegations. Anyone got any Picasso prints, Kevin Spacey DVDs, etc?
Are you really saying that what has come out about Spacey or Picasso does not stop you from enjoying their work?
I’m pretty sure this is not a normal situation, it’s certainly not how I operate. How do you possibly separate what these people have done from their ‘art’ form? I can’t imagine looking at/watching/listening to something that someone has made and not immediately and involuntarily making the link to their actions.
M_V-
The Spacey situation is strange though.
Would you say that you enjoyed his work before his allegations, and repulsed by it after?And now that he has been found not guilty, is it ok to like his work again? Or despite the verdict do you still think he’s guilty as he still appears to be in the court of public opinion? Had your mind been made up?
Not sure why this has anything to do with Hambini, who doesn’t appear to show any appreciable talent, and comes across as an unfunny, unlikeable waste of space.
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Are you really saying that what has come out about Spacey or Picasso does not stop you from enjoying their work?
I’m pretty sure this is not a normal situation, it’s certainly not how I operate. How do you possibly separate what these people have done from their ‘art’ form? I can’t imagine looking at/watching/listening to something that someone has made and not immediately and involuntarily making the link to their actions.
I wouldn't say it doesn't introduce a bum note, and certainly I agree that the legacy of someone like Picasso is right to be questioned ala Hannah Gadsby, but on the other hand I think we can separate the art from the person to some extent.
Consider Spacey - all his work was a collaboration with a great many others; should all that be thrown in the bin? It's easier to argue that he shouldn't be offered any more work, but some might even make a case against that point given he hasn't been found guilty.
I think this issue is an open question, and I'm wary of those who say there's only one right answer.
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Are you really saying that what has come out about Spacey or Picasso does not stop you from enjoying their work?
Real truth there, even thought I truly enjoyed some of their work, it’s a conscious decision to not give it any thought after learning more about them.
Acliff
Kimmo
edscoble
Hm, bit of straw-manning dogpile going on. Disappointed to see that.
That whole cancelling phenomenon is definitely an interesting question. The Me Too movement certainly had a point that The Proper Channels of action had proved their inadequacy (or rather, tendency to cause even further harm to victims) when it comes to dealing with sexual assault, but I remain unconvinced the cure isn't worse than the disease, if we're to replace the presumption of innocence with pitchfork-wielding mobs... but there's definitely a discussion to be had there. Some sort of middle ground would be nice, not that I can imagine it.
As for separating the person from their work or not, it doesn't seem like a great move to me, to just throw out the baby with the bathwater. If the work doesn't explicitly depend on violence of some kind, I think it's fucking nuts, particularly if it's on the strength of unproven allegations. Anyone got any Picasso prints, Kevin Spacey DVDs, etc?
But the most disturbing thing I find about this era, is the level of groupthink which prevails, particularly in academic circles. Shun, shun the unbeliever. Anyone who dares espouse traditional liberal values can be marked a pariah. As a staunch leftie, I'm utterly loathe to employ this phrase beloved of my mortal enemies, but the... ugh... virtue signalling has reached virulent proportions in places.
If you ask me, way too many people are chickenshit conformists, too stupid to judge anything for themselves. Hardly a revelation, but I despair to see this dynamic in play where I expect to find smart people. It's almost as if it's got to the point where many feel discouraged to step out of line.
Didn't see @Fabzzzz endorse Hambini's poor form in any way, but that didn't stop folks lining up to give him a kicking for not being on board with the New Done Thing and binning the cunt entirely. Yuk.
...I should hasten to add, I'm aware that Hambini is no Picasso or Spacey