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1080 points cbcowans | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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hedgew ◴[] No.15021772[source]
Many of the more reasonable criticisms of the memo say that it wasn't written well enough; it could've been more considerate, it should have used better language, or better presentation. In this particular link, Scott Alexander is used as an example of better writing, and he certainly is one of the best and most persuasive modern writers I've found. However, I can not imagine ever matching his talent and output, even if I practiced for years to try and catch up.

I do not think that anyone's ability to write should disbar them from discussion. We can not expect perfection from others. Instead we should try to understand them as human beings, and interpret them with generosity and kindness.

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virtuabhi ◴[] No.15021893[source]
There are many, many reasonable criticisms of the memo that do not focus on writing style. Here are a few examples -

https://www.wired.com/story/the-pernicious-science-of-james-...

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/13/james-dam...

https://www.quora.com/What-do-scientists-think-about-the-bio...

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exergy ◴[] No.15022773[source]
That wired article was excellent. And it proves one thing to my mind. Regardless of everything else, Damore's memo has lead me to vastly expand my knowledge of the debates in this domain, through just being a curious observer watching it all unfold. It's been wonderful, if extremely provocative, in generating proper debate on the subject, focussed on all possible angles, from writing style, to science, to hiring policies.

Amidst all this, Google firing him is the biggest shame.

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1. zbobet2012 ◴[] No.15023305[source]
The wired article truly is fantastic. And IMO it should be on the front page of HN, not this thread.