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Hey folks,

It’s been a year since Life was arrested and folks have been talking about the subject. I figured I’d write up my thoughts on it as I haven’t seen my perspective represented in the various takes I’ve read on the situation.

For background on the scandal, I recommend you read the Liquipedia entry: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/2015_Match-Fixing_Scandal#Arrest_of_Life. For background on Life, I recommend this in-depth article: http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/15356948/chronicling-rise-fall-lee-life-seung-hyun

Let’s start with accountability. As adults, we are responsible for our actions. Life fixed matches and was held accountable for that by the legal system and KESPA.

Accountability is a good thing - it means people respect us enough to treat us as adults with agency who are responsible for our own actions. I’m honestly baffled by folks who claim to have respect for Life and then make excuses as to why he shouldn’t be held accountable for his actions. It's one or the other.

Next, forgiveness. I think this is a misunderstood concept. Forgiveness is about coming to terms with what’s happened and moving on. Forgiveness is a virtue because it’s an adult taking ownership of the direction of their lives and doing the psychological work necessary to move on from pain inflicted upon them by someone else.

It’s different from accountability. Forgiving someone does not imply that they shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions - it merely says that you’re ready to move on. Refusing to forgive Life only consigns you to permanent, lingering hurt. It’s not a matter of whether or not he “deserves” your forgiveness, it’s a matter of whether or not you deserve to move on - and the answer is yes, you do.

Next, Life’s skill level and tournament results. Life’s match fixing doesn’t change how well he played in his career. I don’t understand folks whose opinion of Life’s skill level changed as a result of this scandal. The bad doesn’t wash out the good - and vice-versa.

Finally, the concept of a second chance. When it comes to match fixing I don’t see a way of giving people a second chance without reaffirming the damage they’ve done to the integrity of the game. Holding Life accountable means a lifetime ban. That said, a big part of accountability is that it’s a clear and transparent process - once someone is held accountable for their actions, they’ve earned the right to move on with their lives. He “did his time”, so to speak - he can’t come back to StarCraft, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do something else meaningful with his time.

Happy to hear your thoughts! Let me know down below. Thanks and all the best.

brownbear