There was a English politician who committed crimes with a partner, and then feuded with him.
He wrote a book describing their joint activities, and had his son publish it after his passing, so as to embarrass the former friend.
When he died, this politician was greatly respected. After the book came out, it made him seem so crass, petty and vengeful, that his reputation was completely shattered.
It was so bad that another famous man - I think Churchill - said that this was the first case he knew of a man committing suicide posthumously.
If anyone can give names, would appreciate it. But I bet a service like this will offer many more the ability to accidentally destroy themselves after their death.
There is a long tradition of political deathbed "conversions." Politicians taking positions opposed to popular opinion or politically structural norms after their political careers are over.
It is craven by definition, but it is what it is. Unspokeness exists because there are pressures. It is naive to think that politicians do not hold opinions that they keep to themselves to some extent. Such is politics. People too, not just politicians.
In a US context (not american, but I guess US politics is our lingua franca) Eisenhower's military-industrial complex speech is the prime example. Even firm "peace candidates" of american politics (then and today) do not generally address the economic aspects of military policy.
Now that we're in the $trn corporation era, there may be eisenhower speeches from former CEOs and such. I'd be curious to hear Jack Dorsey's opinions, once he's removed from direct interest.
So... the desire, the tendency exists. Speaking from the grave has an added romantic element. I think I'm "pro" on this coffin confessions thing. There are certainly downsides, the potential to unload negativity which can never be moderated. But, I think the act of uploading such a confession is likely to have consequences before death. I'd be curious to know how many edits these get, on average.
He wrote a book describing their joint activities, and had his son publish it after his passing, so as to embarrass the former friend.
When he died, this politician was greatly respected. After the book came out, it made him seem so crass, petty and vengeful, that his reputation was completely shattered.
It was so bad that another famous man - I think Churchill - said that this was the first case he knew of a man committing suicide posthumously.
If anyone can give names, would appreciate it. But I bet a service like this will offer many more the ability to accidentally destroy themselves after their death.