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Comment by CharlesW | Hacker News Reader

18 pointsCharlesW7 comments

Spoiler: this is another dhh hit piece that attributes differences of opinions to what the author variably describes as a "brain parasite" and a "brain worm". I can't take this article seriously.

What differences of opinion would those be? Feel free to elaborate.

Editing to elaborate: If dhh is allowed to have the opinion that (1) you can tell who's a "native Brit" just by looking at them, (2) there are fewer "native Brits" in London these days, and (3) this is a bad thing, then other people are allowed tr have the opinion that dhh is a racist, and by your own logic you can't deride these people for having a different opinion to you.

A "difference of opinion" which DHH has engineered over time to intimidate and drive out minorities away from the Ruby community. You should read it because the perspective _is_ valid; in fact, this "brain worms" framing is the author being charitable to DHH by pretending he had no responsibility over the fact he's a fascist.

Claiming DHH is a fascist is such a dumb take. The article is vile; claiming DHH died. "'DHH has brain worms' is a fact and valid" - grow up.

It's not a dumb take. There is a clear definition of fascism which his recent reactionary writings and attitudes as a business leader have met to a T. You might not like what I'm saying, maybe you're fine with DHH on some "what I don't mind can't be possibly be fascist" level, but it absolutely meets that standard.

Other than that; stop putting words in my mouth and stop poisoning the well. You and the OP are strawmanning a claim that the article is written in bad faith and thus avoid engaging with its substance.

> stop putting words in my mouth

I literally quoted you.

> clear definition of fascism ... attitudes as a business leader

FYI https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism

I didn't say DHH has died, did I? No one believes that. And even if they did, when did we start getting offended by that? When did that start being an accusation and not a criticism? Did Donna Summer die when they said "disco is dead?" Did the article kill DHH? You're being deliberately obtuse.

Just as well with the dictionary entry. Well done. You got me. Wow. Nah man, saying that the word "fascist" is thrown around as an exaggeration is a thought-terminating cliché deployed in order to flatten the discourse.

You see, your dictionary definition obscures the reality that the pendulum of society is now swinging to the right, hard. He is explicitly aligning himself with a certain political philosophy which in 2025 is dominating the world. DHH isn't just saying some kooky shit, he is in a position of considerable power and visibility actively working to undermine the safety and opportunities of members of the community. It's cringeworthy seeing people standing in solidarity with an entitled idiot but not the marginalized people he hates.

All this is to say, I can't look at everything he's been saying and doing without seeing much of what Umberto Eco has identified as markers of fascism.

https://www.openculture.com/2024/11/umberto-ecos-list-of-the...

I dunno, I find him a far more compelling thinker than the people at Merriam-Webster, no shade intended.

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