[dalke]

Why should I remain neutral? We live in a sea of biases. I think it's better to know one's biases and consider how that affect what one wants to do, rather than remain neutral.

I've been watching archeology videos recently. The archeologists are not neutral on what how to interpret their finds. They use their non-neutral viewpoints to help guide where they work next. They are also well aware that the views of their profession have changed over time, and that those views can reflect implicit personal and cultural biases.

In this case I do not think Zed Shaw's personality outside of "Learn Python the Hard Way" affects the interpretation or use of that book. But I think Galileo was foolish for putting the words of the pope in the mouth of the character Simplicio and expect the pope and his supporters to remain neutral.