Sorry if you're getting downvoted a lot. We as a group need to start learning a little subtlety when it comes to condemning all of a person's contributions because we don't like their opinions or their actions. We are smart enough that we should be able to condemn ESR's idiotic words and actions and still praise his extremely important contribution to technology.
I don't know, does it have to be a hard and fast rule?
Sometimes I quote HP Lovecraft and sometimes I feel like apologizing for his being racist (and somewhat stronger than just being a product of his times). But most of the time, also not. But it does usually cross my mind and I think that's okay and important. In a very real "kill your idols" way. Nobody's perfect.
And that's just for being a bigot in the early 20st century, which, as far as I know, is of no consequence today.
However if Einstein were alive and actively denouncing climate change today, I would probably add a (btw fuck einstein) to every mention of his theories. But that's just because climate change is a serious problem that's going to kill billions if we would actually listen to the deniers and take them seriously. This hypothetical Einstein being a public figure, probably even considered an authority by many, would in fact be doing considerable damage spouting such theories in public. And that would piss me off.
What I mean to say is, you don't have to, but it's also not wrong to occasionally point out that even the greatest minds have flaws.
Also, a very different reason to do it, is that some people with both questionable ideas and valuable insights, tend to mix their insightful writings with the occasional remark or controversial poke. In that case, it can be good to head off sidetracking the discussion, and making it clear you realize the controversial opinions, but want to talk specifically about the more valuable insights.
And this IS in fact important to keep in mind both, even if you think it is irrelevant. Because occasionally it turns out, for instance, through the value of a good deep discussion, that the valuable insights in fact fall apart as you take apart the controversial parts. Much of the time it's just unrelated, but you wouldn't want to overlook it if it doesn't.
I'd say they are incomparable, but I hope it helped to get my point across :)
I've read and liked his book, btw, but I had to ignore all his stupid Windows-bashing where he attributes every bad practice to the Windows world and every good one - to the Unix world.
Imagine Einstein alive and denying climate change. Would you apologize every time when you are referring to the theory of relativity?
P.S. Sorry, if you don't agree with the apologising comment and were just informing about possible reasons.