# Pitting Max\_S **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 8, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074 "2022-02-08T00:26:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/541 "2022-05-19T21:18:42Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Whether he is or not, he’s saying reprehensible things, and this is the forum to call people out for it. Sure, call him out for them. I’ve happily done the same. But _debating_ the motherfucker? Trying to argue him around or appeal to his non-existent morality? Naah. That’s a mug’s game, I’ve realized. A little late, but better late than never. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/542 "2022-05-19T21:19:53Z")
There are valid reasons for dispassionately arguing base principles even some find the conclusions immoral or distasteful. One, people actually have to make decisions in the real world that require difficult choices where someone is sure to be harmed while others benefit. Two, at some point we will be training AIs and/or robots with sets of principles that will govern their behavior. Of course we will mess #2 up in a catastrophic manner… ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/543 "2022-05-19T21:20:41Z")
I get that’s what you meant. Can you elaborate? I mean, _everything_ originated within and is associated with a racist culture, because that’s the culture that has always existed. Is there something about the history of the scientific / medical approach to sickle cell that is particularly troubling, rather than just imperfect/inaccurate? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/544 "2022-05-19T21:21:25Z")
There are absolutely situations where one has to make decisions along formulaic or non-altruistic lines, but usually even that is in the context of serving some higher good. For example the general that orders men into certain death to achieve an overall war aim. However as I said–there is no point in debating _morality_ with someone who lacks empathy, morality is intrinsically linked to human empathy. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/545 "2022-05-19T21:21:33Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > he casually just believes entire Amendments to the Constitution do not exist Just because I do not read the 14th Amendment as broadly as you or most others, does not mean I think it doesn’t exist. It’s not like my narrow interpretation of any clause is completely unprecedented. 😒 ~Max ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/546 "2022-05-19T21:21:40Z")
I disagree with that because I don’t find words on paper to be binding and in general there is no guarantee that any set of laws is congruent with my sense of fairness or what is just. In other words, my sense of morality doesn’t include a blind obedience. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/547 "2022-05-19T21:23:18Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I mean, _everything_ originated within and is associated with a racist culture, because that’s the culture that has always existed. No, Whiteness is only a few hundred years old. > [@Riemann](#): > > Is there something about the history of the scientific / medical approach to sickle cell that is particularly troubling, rather than just imperfect/inaccurate? Yes, Feel free to google “sickle cell racism” for more… ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/548 "2022-05-19T21:24:51Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > In other words, my sense of morality doesn’t include a blind obedience. Nor does mine - as I wrote, if I find a law to be immoral then I have to weigh my obligation to follow the laws in general against my moral scruples with following this particular one. It would only be blind obedience if I skipped that step. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/549 "2022-05-19T21:26:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Naah. That’s a mug’s game, I’ve realized. A little late, but better late than never. He’s making octopus look principled and reasonable here, I’m really becoming swayed by your argument. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/550 "2022-05-19T21:27:21Z")
**Octopus** has always been principled and reasonable with me. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/551 "2022-05-19T21:28:12Z")
Okay… [https://media.istockphoto.com/vectors/straw-that-broke-the-camels-back-vector-id165050558?k=20&m=165050558&s=170667a&w=0&h=w8ElEUIhinJPtPCH61baqSNmD2Lrcm4V2YjbeYpwUR4=](https://media.istockphoto.com/vectors/straw-that-broke-the-camels-back-vector-id165050558?k=20&m=165050558&s=170667a&w=0&h=w8ElEUIhinJPtPCH61baqSNmD2Lrcm4V2YjbeYpwUR4=) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/552 "2022-05-19T21:33:46Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > He has essentially no empathy, this is a pathology, and not uncommon Nailed it. This is a common subject of discussion with my 11-year-old son, who happens to have loads of empathy (just by chance — I’m not boasting), but has encounters with a schoolmate and a family member who lack it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/553 "2022-05-19T21:34:27Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > No, Whiteness is only a few hundred years old. I guess if you feel it’s important to nitpick the technical imprecision of my wording here in saying “always” you’re just not interested in having a good faith discussion. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/554 "2022-05-19T21:34:49Z")
Hey, Max, any chance you can break away from this and respond to my PM? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/555 "2022-05-19T21:36:47Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Hey, Max, any chance you can break away from this and respond to my PM? Secrets don’t make friends! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/556 "2022-05-19T21:36:59Z")
Yeah, I’ve been wondering if he’s a sociopath or just playing at being one. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/557 "2022-05-19T21:37:52Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Secrets don’t make friends! Actually, in time, it won’t be a secret… _(he sez all mysteriously and shit…)_ ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/558 "2022-05-19T21:38:57Z")
Well maybe, just maybe he’ll read up more on the Fugitive Slave Act and come to an epiphany of how evil it was. Or maybe he is trolling us all. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/559 "2022-05-19T21:39:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Whether he is or not, he’s saying reprehensible things, and this is the forum to call people out for it. It’s also the forum for overt trolling … up to a point. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074/560 "2022-05-19T21:43:23Z")
No it’s not. That’s explicitly against the rules. > [@Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-forum-rules-for-the-bbq-pit-read-this-before-posting/487209): > > The BBQ Pit is the forum for rants about the outside world or quarrels between posters - often the first turns into the second. Although the standards of discourse are looser than in the other forums, the Pit is NOT a free-for-all - you don’t have to be nice, but you do have to be reasonably civil. Please observe the following rules when posting in the Pit: Rants should be suitable for the Pit Cutesy, “I Pit puppies for being sooo cute!” non-Pittings are not welcome here. Put them in MPSIMS. R… > **No trolling** > > By trolling, we mean posting of inflammatory comments solely to get a rise out of people. If we feel your primary goal as a poster is to make people mad, you’ll quickly find yourself on the road to banning. On the flip side, the fact that a poster consistently makes you mad doesn’t automatically make them a troll You can argue that the rule isn’t enforced, but no, this is not the forum for overt trolling. There is no forum for overt trolling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-max-s/959074.md?page=29)