3 ms·

It always amazes me how people can look at the same set of data and come away with completely opposite views.. You see anonymous speech as a hindrance to the f

by syshum 9y ago

It always amazes me how people can look at the same set of data and come away with completely opposite views.. You see anonymous speech as a hindrance to the free exchange of idea's, where from my view of the world where you have people in many nations persecuted for their speech, where you have outrage mobs that use their collective outrage to get people fired or removed from organizations, employment, events over their "controversial" speech, where you have protests over "wrong think" speakers... in this world I see anonymous speech is required for the free exchange of idea's I wonder how the founding of the United States would have changed if the Authors of some of the most important papers and commentaries where disallowed from using pseudonyms when their letters where published in the popular press. Would they have self censored or been less than forthcoming with their thoughts...

Pokepokalypse 9y ago
I only see it this way since the advent of bad-faith actors who exploit anonymity to take an opposing viewpoint as a provocateur, in order to stir up shit and discredit a valid movement. This tactic is not new. But in the context of media, it has really taken root, and it's become so incredibly destructive that I am not certain that there is a workaround for this problem; and I feel as if the very foundations of our modern civilization are under existential threat, as a result. And from my point of view, I'm honestly not pushing hyperbole. The Socratic method has been rendered almost completely useless. I've got a soft-spot in my heart for our Founding Fathers and how they accomplished their goals of Liberation from the British Monarchy. I'm virulently opposed to the methods of the Mercers, the Kochs, Brietbart, their various operatives, LLC's, think-tanks, and affiliated networks of organizations who seem to be driving towards destroying our country and turning it into a feudal thugocracy. And TBH: I would never post something like this using my real name, because it sounds like crazy tin-foil hattery, and I value my professional reputation.

by syshum 9y ago

Pokepokalypse 9y ago

I only see it this way since the advent of bad-faith actors who exploit anonymity to take an opposing viewpoint as a provocateur, in order to stir up shit and discredit a valid movement. This tactic is not new. But in the context of media, it has really taken root, and it's become so incredibly destructive that I am not certain that there is a workaround for this problem; and I feel as if the very foundations of our modern civilization are under existential threat, as a result. And from my point of view, I'm honestly not pushing hyperbole. The Socratic method has been rendered almost completely useless. I've got a soft-spot in my heart for our Founding Fathers and how they accomplished their goals of Liberation from the British Monarchy. I'm virulently opposed to the methods of the Mercers, the Kochs, Brietbart, their various operatives, LLC's, think-tanks, and affiliated networks of organizations who seem to be driving towards destroying our country and turning it into a feudal thugocracy. And TBH: I would never post something like this using my real name, because it sounds like crazy tin-foil hattery, and I value my professional reputation.