4 ms·

> So many services controlled by private companies that can choose to not do business with someone. That discrimination is not based on intrinsic qualities, th

> So many services controlled by private companies that can choose to not do business with someone. That discrimination is not based on intrinsic qualities, though. You can't discriminate on skin color, sexual orientation, etc. because society-at-large has decided those are qualities that you're born with. But it's perfectly within everyone's right to discriminate against assholes, if that's what they judge you to be. You can try to change their minds, but there is no right or law that forces them to listen. Furthermore, a person can't change their genetics. But they can change their attitude, personality, etc. so those are not intrinsic qualities.

dragonwriter 8y ago
> You can't discriminate on skin color, sexual orientation, etc. because society-at-large has decided those are qualities that you're born with. No, you can't because society has decided you can't. Being something you are born with may or may not be part of the reason some in society support that designation, but its mostly beside the point. Religious or politocal affiliation is not widely viewed an immutable condition of birth and one is protected in the US and the other in at least some US jurisdictions.
MrMember 8y ago
Sure, I'm not saying these private companies should be forced to do business with someone like Alex Jones. But maybe some of these services shouldn't just be controlled by private companies. I'm kind of surprised that a government owned domain registrar doesn't exist, for example. If I want to register a domain name I have to go through a private company who can choose not to serve me as long as it isn't because I'm a member of a protected class.
- anfilt 8y ago
  There are plenty government owned registrars. Heck the gTLD .gov is pretty much a goverment entity. They even have policy regarding FOIA requests: https://home.dotgov.gov/foia/ https://home.dotgov.gov/foia/ which is they are exempt. However, good luck getting .gov domain. It probably is not happening unless your an actual government entity.
tomp 8y ago
In many western countries you're also not allowed to discriminate against pregnant women, or because of religion, both of which are under an individual's control (except if rape).
- kingbirdy 8y ago
  Because those are decisions we've collectively decided we should support people's right to make. There's not much support for the right to decide to be an asshole.
  - beaconstudios 8y ago
    but there is - that's what the right to free speech is. As the old saying goes, popular speech doesn't need to be protected. Being "an asshole" is not an objective measure, so you need to draw a line in the sand between legal and illegal speech. Free speech is the line that says "you can say anything" except for a few specific cases that are liable to put people in direct fear for their lives/wellbeing.
  - tomp 8y ago
    Not sure I agree. In the history of humanity, religion has done much more damage than e.g. white nationalism.

dragonwriter 8y ago

> You can't discriminate on skin color, sexual orientation, etc. because society-at-large has decided those are qualities that you're born with. No, you can't because society has decided you can't. Being something you are born with may or may not be part of the reason some in society support that designation, but its mostly beside the point. Religious or politocal affiliation is not widely viewed an immutable condition of birth and one is protected in the US and the other in at least some US jurisdictions.

MrMember 8y ago

Sure, I'm not saying these private companies should be forced to do business with someone like Alex Jones. But maybe some of these services shouldn't just be controlled by private companies. I'm kind of surprised that a government owned domain registrar doesn't exist, for example. If I want to register a domain name I have to go through a private company who can choose not to serve me as long as it isn't because I'm a member of a protected class.

anfilt 8y ago
There are plenty government owned registrars. Heck the gTLD .gov is pretty much a goverment entity. They even have policy regarding FOIA requests: https://home.dotgov.gov/foia/ https://home.dotgov.gov/foia/ which is they are exempt. However, good luck getting .gov domain. It probably is not happening unless your an actual government entity.

tomp 8y ago

In many western countries you're also not allowed to discriminate against pregnant women, or because of religion, both of which are under an individual's control (except if rape).

kingbirdy 8y ago
Because those are decisions we've collectively decided we should support people's right to make. There's not much support for the right to decide to be an asshole.
- beaconstudios 8y ago
  but there is - that's what the right to free speech is. As the old saying goes, popular speech doesn't need to be protected. Being "an asshole" is not an objective measure, so you need to draw a line in the sand between legal and illegal speech. Free speech is the line that says "you can say anything" except for a few specific cases that are liable to put people in direct fear for their lives/wellbeing.
- tomp 8y ago
  Not sure I agree. In the history of humanity, religion has done much more damage than e.g. white nationalism.