There's nothing unacceptable in calling for boycotting a toxic asshole. There's also nothing unacceptable in warning people against a book containing bad information.
Thing is, people end up looking up to the author of books they read, following them on twitter, reading their blogs, etc... So when those authors start spouting nonsensical rhetoric, it has a very chilling and negative effect on the community. Gatekeeping in this way leads to a less diverse group of people feeling empowered to speak up and contribute their knowledge.
FWIW, I did also learn python using Learn Python the Hard Way. And on its own, I do believe it to be a great book. But I don't recommend it anymore because I don't want my peers to end up looking up to some toxic asshole and getting disillusioned because of it. There are other great resources that don't come with this unnecessary baggage.
> But I don't recommend it anymore because I don't want my peers to end up looking up to some toxic asshole and getting disillusioned because of it.
Or you know, allow people to make up their minds about how much of an asshole someone is, instead of deciding for them with some superior paternalistic bullshit of your own. There is value in someone's work outside of their fringe personal opinions.
Thing is, people end up looking up to the author of books they read, following them on twitter, reading their blogs, etc... So when those authors start spouting nonsensical rhetoric, it has a very chilling and negative effect on the community. Gatekeeping in this way leads to a less diverse group of people feeling empowered to speak up and contribute their knowledge.
FWIW, I did also learn python using Learn Python the Hard Way. And on its own, I do believe it to be a great book. But I don't recommend it anymore because I don't want my peers to end up looking up to some toxic asshole and getting disillusioned because of it. There are other great resources that don't come with this unnecessary baggage.