The Moral Arbiters of the Social Media Universe Are Failing Us
Granted, what they are trying to do is impossible.
Years ago, potential jury members were being interviewed in the case of a man charged with drunk driving.
One prospective juror, when asked by the judge to give any reasons she might not be able to be impartial in this case, gave an obviously heartfelt reply.
“My brother was convicted of drunk driving three times and was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison,” she said. “He was barely 20, our father had just died. He needed drug treatment, counseling. Instead, they sent him to prison. He lost his wife, his kids. Now, he doesn’t drink anymore, but he can’t get a job either and he’s living back at home. He needed help, social services, medical treatment; not punishment.”
Needless to say, that potential juror was dismissed. As was the very next juror who stood up after her.
“My brother was also arrested and went to jail for drunk driving,” potential juror number two said, in an equally heartfelt tone. “ It was the best thing that ever happened to him and he hasn’t had a drink since. The courts didn’t punish him; they saved his life.”
Who’s right?
Two people, two similar situations; two completely different moral takes on the same subject.