I think to a large extent my tolerance for political vandalism is aesthetic. I'm reaching this conclusion by induction. Some cases:
-
-
Replying to @eigenrobot
eigenrobot Retweeted Chaos
A. This is okay if not great. The original statement was obnoxious, aggressive, and undignified. Graffiti so-so.https://twitter.com/chaosprime/status/845117277561225216 …
eigenrobot added,
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
B. A fine would have been more appropriate but this guy was an ass. Signs were polite, destroying them thuggish. http://freebeacon.com/culture/leftist-caught-video-destroying-college-republican-signs/ …
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
C. HWNDU flag theft. Solid approval. Shia LaBouef is a buffoon in a position of privilege and flag theft a hilarious way of deflating him.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
D. Black bloc store vandalism. This does deserve arrest. Crosses line from idea vandalism to straight up vandalism vs neutrals.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
E. PZ Meyers' Host desecration; Koran burning; flag (any) burning. Mostly tasteless. Obviously protected but needlessly, broadly offensive.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
F. Each case in (E) gets better when authorities attempt to forbid it. Especially when increasingly abstract (eg, SP Mohammed in a van)
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
I think what's coming out of this is that I am more likely to approve of vandalism when it is (i) narrow, (ii) targets obnoxious expression,
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @eigenrobot
(iii) does not practically suppress others' expression, (iv) is comedic (somehow). Not much of a principle but probably an aesthetic. YMMV.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
Possibly a more succinct way to put it is that I like vandalism when it playfully extends a public argument and not when it tries to end it.
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.