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Comment by throwaway894345 | Hacker News Reader

This article was much better (more interesting, enlightening) than the NYT hack job. The whole “how can we tenuously paint this person as a racist?” thing the media (or rather “half a dozen outlets”) is doing is dull and creepy. Interestingly not long ago Yglesias was writing the disingenuous articles, so I’m really happy to see he’s turned a corner, and he deserves praise for doing so.

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What did he ever write that you think was disingenuous?

Maybe some of his views just differ from yours?

His views have always differed somewhat from mine, but that doesn’t make him disingenuous. Rather, I think he used to write very charitably toward his tribe and very uncharitably toward other tribes (dealing in caricatures, demonizing, exaggerating, snarking, finding nothing praiseworthy, etc). He seems much more humble and earnest nowadays, even while I still often disagree with him.

I don't think he's changed at all. He's still incredibly snarky and even sarcastic in a way I don't like, particularly on Twitter, but I don't think has ever had those other traits you're labeled him with.

In the twitter-verse, Matt is well known for his occasional "hot takes". But he is among the people who pushes the envelope ever so lightly all time and is still tolerated by woke twitter and I am glad for his role. He made out somewhat OK from the recent Harper letter controversy.

^ Notably, I do think this blog post clarifies why he signed onto that letter (whether you agree or not).

I’m going to echo others that I really don’t think he’s changed. He has beliefs and is here to tell you what he thinks is right, not to project some aurora of neutrality. However, he will also read opposing opinions and is happy to discuss them, always in good faith and with an open mind.

It’s my opinion. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve heard others echo similar sentiments. Seems likely that you and I are just looking at different characteristics. In whatever case I don’t think it will be interesting to dissect this further, and I’ll end by saying I appreciate Matt’s recent stuff for whatever reason.

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