I appreciate the reply, and I understand the viewpoint, though I don’t think these situations are equivalent.
Regarding the A-rt drama, I don’t think that I handled it in the best way possible initially. I initially came at that from a place of arrogance and anger. While I meant what I said in the post you’re referring to, I don’t think it was the most constructive way to handle things, and I regret that.
Look, it’s not my place to spill other people’s personal problems, though I believe all of it has been shared by Higby directly:
The man is one of the best in the world at what he does, and has been for 25+ years. The Covid lockdown decimated his income overnight, not to mention his career in a broader sense. He has two autistic sons, one severe, who, to my knowledge, requires around the clock care. He had a tree fall on his family’s only car, which insurance didn’t cover.
I’ve been in unfortunate desperate financial situations myself, and I know how big of a struggle it is to try to claw my way out of it. And not just how big of a struggle it is in terms of effort, but also in terms of time. I’ve never had to do that with a family, and I’ve certainly never done that with a child with special, incredibly expensive, needs.
But I do know that if I was in the same situation, my first priority would be to my family and to keeping my food on the table and keeping the lights on. It has to be.
Is it a mistake? I honestly don’t know. I’m a person of honesty and integrity and I have a pretty black and white moral compass. But if I was in that bleak of a situation, I know that I’d have to put my family first.
I don’t know what justice is here. Is it giving people refunds?
If so, it’s not like he has the money to pay them back.
Not to mention that Kickstarter’s terms and conditions clearly state that there’s no guarantee, so purchasers should have had some responsibility of the inherent risk involved.
Is “justice” self-flagellating himself over and over publicly giving the same update that just restates the same problems over and over?
Maybe to some, but I don’t see how that solves the problem.
Since refunds can’t happen, I personally think that “justice” likely involves getting the books printed and fulfilling the promise.
But, it’s a lot harder to do that if his name gets dragged through the mud and reduces his income further. Not to mention the demotivating shame that comes when the pitchforks come out and you’re already hanging on by a thread.
If I were in the same shoes, I do think that more updates would be helpful, even if only to restate the same things.
Though I think that’s also difficult when you have mob mentality who is out for blood and there’s no blood left to give.
There’s plenty of people here who can speak to how good and honest of a person John is. I don’t need to be just another voice singing his praises, but I do know that I’d give him the 12k if I could.
