Where are the ethics?

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Parents are definitely to blame, but I also blame the schools, where everyone has to feel "self esteem" about everything -- no one can be a "winner" because that means someone is a "loser". Yeah, well, that's the way life works. If "everyone is a winner" (which creates artificial self-esteem where it's not warranted), you quickly develop an attitude that nothing one does is wrong -- there simply is no "right and wrong" left in the world. In their minds, at least. What a shock when they find out that their childhood-developed fantasies don't relate to the real world.

Leo,
I know what you are feeling. It makes one understand the Bible story about Sodom and Gomorrah. I grew up in a small community in a gentler time when people looked out for each other and honesty was expected. Since I've moved to the 'big' city I've lost so much respect for the human race that some days are too depressing to remember. I hope you continue what you are doing here. I have learned so much from you in the last few weeks since I found this site that it would be a major loss to me if you shut down. You do a tremendous job explaining things in a way an amature computer geek like me can understand and your site is one I make sure I visit each day if I can. Just know you are appreciated by many even if others are trying to take advantage of your knowledge. Thanks again for sharing you what you know.

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Honesty is a 2-way street. Many people (myself included) are not computer savvy and we rely on information given to us by others. For example, suppose a person buys a computer sight unseen off the internet based upon the seller's ad and it turns out the operating system was pirated. Just because the new owner asks questions and tries to fix a real problem doesn't mean the new owner is unethical. Au contrare, mon ami... the person asking the questions and trying to salvage a bad situation is actually the one who is trying to right an egregious wrong. I'm not condoning it, but I can certainly understand it if a person who has been the recipient of unauthorized intercourse says, "I've been *blanked* so I don't care who I *blank* in return." It all boils down to revenge (getting even with the whole world for getting *blanked* in the first place) and temptation (possibly getting something for nothing instead of having to pay big bucks - for example - for a new and legal operating system.) Revenge and temptation go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. I don't think they will disappear any time soon.

Hi Leo. I can definitely sympathize with you, however, I think that this has been going on since the Internet became accessible to geeks in the general population. Usenet, for example, isn't dead, but why else would you use it than for unethical purposes? There's so much illegal activity going on in the IRC rooms that the application/protocol has become a joke.

It is unfortunate to be sure, but porn and illegal activity have always driven technology, and it's no different today (think audio, images, and streaming video on the BB's in the 80's and 90's).

Those of us with ethics need to be strong and set an example for others and speak out when it can help.

Tim W.

Hi Leo, love your website and newsletter. What is wrong with people. I get the same questions, can I see what someone else is doing on there computer? what is there password?, I just don't get it.

Thanks for all your efforts and info.
Richard

Ah! You are troubled by the the darkest of humanity, those that wish to live behind mask. You meet them in all walks of life. often your friends.
I have found indeed most quite charming, adept, and all without a moral compass.
All you can do is live your life, with a honesty that perculates down through all of your activities. They will learn sooner, hopefully than later, "what goes around comes around".
TANSTAAFL!
Lee

Welcome to post 1980's America me-ism!!!

Funny how we can read the bible that there were two trees in the Garden, and not realize that the one that brought death to the spirit was the tree of the knowledge of GOOD, and evil.. Goodness was on that same tree with evil. It is so easy to see the *evil* in human nature, but does one realize that those doing *good* have the same sentence upon themselves?

Even the goodness of man ties him to death and separation from God.

Thereby the message of Christ. One must be born again! This time, born from above, rather than below.

Bar

If i were you Leo, i would not give it a second thought. Not only are people dishonest and without human ethics on the internet, as you can see in the world around you in which we live, unethical dealings go on as high as the government and trickle all the way down to common ordinary folk. It's not going to stop or even slow down! In fact, the pace of which crooked dealings, backstabbings and even murder continue to be a constant problem in our everyday life. Know why? Cause humanity does not care anymore! They are insensative to the brutality that exist and the mentality is if it is in someone elses family, then its not mine and im not going to worry about it. At every level, it all harms each of us in someway. There is no right or wrong answer Leo! Just continue doing what you do for you have helped me out in some very good ways lately and i love receiving the news letters and enjoy them all! Keep up the good work and just overlook the mud till you find the diamond. Peace.

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