Is the output of a horrible person inherently bad? I can't help but say yes even thought I don't want to.
It is ugly bad wrong horrible evil and unforgivable what his is accused of doing. So this forces me to confront a question ...
Is the output of a horrible person inherently bad?
I have enjoyed his comedy since I was a small child. Back in 2011 I purchased digital versions of some of his records. When I'm feeling down I will play a track (or five as they are short) to start laughing. It was good clean funny stuff. Many of his skits reminded me of my father, brothers, family, and friends.
So now that I've denounced the individual should I delete his work product? What if we were to learn Michelangelo was a murderer? Does it make his painting any less?
I want my answer to be, "You can enjoy the comedy even though you despise the man." There are singers and bands I dislike an individuals (seen by their public persona), but enjoy their music. Am I being a hypocrite trying to hold two diametrically opposed ideas as true at the same time? Hate the man while enjoying the man's comedy.
I'm going to struggle with this for awhile, but I know I won't be listening to his comedy until I make up my mind.
[Updated Dec 19, 2014]
As more of the story unfolds I find myself questioning whether I was quick to judge. Do the accusations automatically cause me to find him guilty? Does the nature of the accused crime elicit automatic assumption of guilt?
It was a recent questioning of a story in the Rolling Stones that makes me confront the question, "Was I to hasty in assuming his guilt?"
[Update July 20, 2015]
With the recent revelations Mr. Cosby admit to the essence of the allegations in a 2006 deposition I have cemented my opinion. Damage control is obviously in full swing, but my mind is made up.
I continue to struggle with the question, "Is the output of a horrible person inherently bad?" Should I continued to laugh at the recorded comedies that have entertained me for years or should I shun everything related to Cosby?
[Update October 4, 2018]
Bill Cosby has been convicted and sentenced. Since my last update I have not listened to any of his recordings. While I remain “on the fence” regarding my question, the result is effective a “Yes” to my question. Who knows that might change in the future, but for now I refuse to listen to his material.