it's really this call-out culture that's become disturbing, as it's turned into this hierarchical bloodsport. and, i kind of like what spacey did here, for that reason: he's managed to visibly confuse people, in what i'm willing to acknowledge is an actual accident.

these responses really reveal the way people are thinking about this, as though this is all some twisted card game - what spacey did to these people is reveal his entire hand prematurely, and they're just reacting by saying he's not playing fairly.

i don't think what spacey did here is anything more complicated or nefarious than acknowledge that he's never publicly stated that he's gay. how do you approach the situation without doing this? it's a necessity. i mean, he could have denied it all outright and claimed he's really hetero and this other guy (who i've never heard of) is making it all up, and maybe that's what some of these people wanted to hear, but any responsible reaction to the situation at all - at all - necessitates acknowledging something he hadn't acknowledged before. whether he remembers or doesn't remember, whether he accepts responsibility or not, this is now out there on the table. and, had he not said anything, you can bet you'd hear the defense from his fans: how do we know this is true, when we don't even know if he's gay? he's never said he's gay...

but, these rational considerations are not what people want to contemplate. instead, people are taking this in the form of two cards, and the proper social cues attached to them:

1) the assault card. the proper social cue attached to the assault card is to post on twitter that you believe the victim, and the accused should rot in hell. outward displays of solidarity, however meaningless in reality, are then to be ranked by social media in a total order. anger always receives tops marks, as it functions as a vicarious outlet. prizes will be awarded at the end of the week.

2) the gay card. the proper social cue to the gay card is to post on twitter that you support coming out, and you're there for people, and you don't think it matters. meanwhile, you need to dm snarky messages to your friends. these displays of solidarity, however fraudulent, are also to be ranked by social media in a total order. the biggest lies will always receive the top marks.

so, you see what he did here? he created a contradiction. and, he did it by accident. in order to be angry at the accused, and get maximum points in the first competition, you must target a queer person and get nailed in the second. no fair!

i don't know how else you expect somebody to apologize for something they don't remember. i think he largely did this right. most people probably would have denied it.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/kevin-spacey-1.4377929