Solutions to complex filtering and regulatory problems can usually be grouped into two categories of approaches: a 'top-down' centralization approach, or a 'bot

Solutions to complex filtering and regulatory problems can usually be grouped into two categories of approaches: a 'top-down' centralization approach, or a 'bottom-up' distribution approach. Developing a system that will categorize what hate speech is and what it is not is an example of a top-down approach that centralizes the decision making process. Allowing individuals to decide what hate speech is for themselves and acting accordingly is a bottom-up approach that distributes decision making among all nodes of the system. The distributed, decentralized approach - the one that the modern internet employs today, where users decide for themselves what websites to frequent and who to interact with - is more appropriate for handling hate speech because it is much better at taking into account the nuance of specific situations and distinguishing what is hate from what is not hate. A centralized approach will either be too aggressive in its filtering or not aggressive enough. Human civilization is becoming more and more inclusive every year. I do not believe we need to curtail free speech in order to continue on the path towards a more inclusive and accepting world. A much more effective approach to eliminating hate - one that does not require us to relinquish the right to free speech - is to continue improving the living standards of all people, especially the poor. I believe that hate is ultimately a manifestation of fear. When the fear of economic marginalization diminishes, so too will the frustration and anger that derives from such marginalization.