Need an update wrote:Did Shermer decide not to prosecute PZ after all? What happened with that?
I suspect he dropped it. The issue he faced, in my amateur opinion, would be:
1. It would be hard to establish real harm (although due to the nature of the accusation this is strictly irrelevant) The person making the accusation and those believing it are known to be very loose with the truth. It would be as if Scientology had made the accusations, less people would take it seriously as it is the sort of thing they do all day anyway and they are largely ignored. Also Shermer appears unhurt by this, he is still getting invites.
2. It may be seen as a malicious response if he did not take alternative and cheaper remedies. He may well have received a private apology or promise not to repeat the accusation. This sort of agreement is likely to remain confidential and a court would expect him to pursue that option first.
3. Shermar can't be bothered will people like Myers, he will want to move on as he has things to do. The whole thing can be very distracting and time consuming.
4. Of course, as a skeptic, I have to include the point that the accusations may be true (not the redefinition of the word rape but the events described) and he does not want to open a can of worms and argue petty semantics with SJW's who attach any meaning to a word that takes their fancy.
Of course maybe it has not been dropped.