WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I keep seeing people say it was unprofessional, but I work in finance I haven't gone a day at work without hearing my co-workers and superiors curse out of frustration or when they're excited.

What about what Will said was unprofessional? How do you define professionalism?

It's all contextual. I work in academic research. Among coworkers at 'my level' that sort of remark wouldn't be out of place. In front of a P.I. it might well get you a raised eyebrow.

If you said it in a presentation, roughly what Will.I.Am did, it'd depend a lot on the setting and why you said it. I've heard and seen plenty of 'inappropriate' comments and slides in very formal settings that got chuckles and things moved along. I've also seen the same cause a lot of awkwardness.

Context always matters. I guess the line is; is it inappropriate because of a naughty word, or because it comes at the expense of a person or group?

Add me to the 'It was an acceptable amount of inappropriateness given the speaker and context.' camp.