The world reflects on the good, and the bad, of Hugh Hefner

As with so many issues in the world today, reaction to the death of American icon Hugh Hefner was deeply divided.

A wide range of responses poured out on social media all day Wednesday from those who knew the controversial figure personally and those who grew up "reading the articles" of Playboy magazine.

Hefner was known for being the publishing phenomenon behind Playboy, the largest-selling and most influential men’s magazine in the world.

Many celebrated their positive thoughts about Hefner and their times at the ultra famous Playboy Mansion:

Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well Hef. pic.twitter.com/bJ1wxoK4gR

— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 28, 2017

We love you #hef #HughHefner pic.twitter.com/gr5DXSH22D

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) September 28, 2017

RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2017

RIP HUGH HEFNER

— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) September 28, 2017

But others are calling attention to his alleged treatment of the many women that lived with him and the negative role Playboy might have played in pop culture.

Various writers and Wonder Woman director Joss Whedon, have spoken up about the complicated man and his knack for objectifying women and perpetuating the 'male gaze' culture.

Wait, is it possible Hugh Hefner did good AND bad things? But... But... *robot head explodes, humans escape from robot hot tub*

— Joss Whedon (@joss) September 28, 2017

The amount of people treating a porn mogul as some kind of civil rights leader who 'empowered women' online rn is gonna make me barf

— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) September 28, 2017

Hugh Hefner is rightly remembered for rebelling against right wing moralism before most people, but please don't forget he treated women like garbage to do it.

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) September 28, 2017