Ethics for stage and screen -- panel discussion
Thanks to moderator and organizer Dave Bricker, and to my co-panelists Margarita Gurri, Russ Riddle, and Bruce Weinstein. Here are some highlights:
“If we don’t uphold the highest standards of professionalism, then we are reflecting poorly on other members of our industry we are supposed to be supporting.”
“Every little moral compromise makes it easier to make bigger moral compromises. There’s a certain moral discipline involved in doing things the right way.”
“What’s the difference between persuasion and manipulation? We understand that presentation style is going to influence people. We are influenced by our visceral impressions. If we use the power of persuasion to guide people to do what’s in their own best interest we are serving them. If we are doing it only for personal gain, we are serving ourselves.”
“The models of classical philosophy can guide us in ethical decision making by asking ourselves a series of questions: Who’s benefiting and who’s losing? What are my core principles and am I applying them consistently? What are the specific consequences of my actions on others? How can I become more morally sensitive by observing the world around me?”
“Start preparing now for the next ethical crisis. We never know when it’s going to come.”