6 ms·

So this is the thing now? We don't believe freedom of speech is a good thing anymore? Who decided this? I don't recall being consulted on this. Not that I'd

So this is the thing now? We don't believe freedom of speech is a good thing anymore? Who decided this? I don't recall being consulted on this. Not that I'd think of arguing, mind you! I'm loyal, I swear!

michaelt 8y ago
Back before internet access was widespread I saw a lot of people online who foresaw a future where an internet connection provided access to the sum of all human knowledge, and forums to participate in the marketplace of ideas. Between human curiosity, good will and people's natural desire to not be wrong, everyone will learn and reason their way to the truth (incidentally ending up agreeing with me). Surely once everyone can access the equivalent of several university educations online, the masses will come to realise that sodomy should be legal for libertarian reasons; transparency and access to information will mean voters will demand and get honest officials; that employers will realise it's not rational to discriminate against a sysadmin for not wearing a dress shirt; and it'll be the year of Linux on the Desktop. In the subsequent decades, people have re-evaluated some of those predictions for understandable reasons.
- b_tterc_p 8y ago
  Well, we’re making progress on casual dress.
50656E6973 8y ago
It seems the pushes against freedom of speech ideals in the US greatly increased after the 2016 election, coming mostly from those who share the ideology of the losing party targeting the speech of the winning ideology/party.
- AnimalMuppet 8y ago
  That's true to a degree. But a lot of people are also legitimately troubled by the Russian use of the media to stir up trouble. Personally, I'm in favor of free speech. I'm not in favor of being inundated by manipulative propaganda from a foreign power. I don't know how to reconcile those two views. I mean, I guess I'm in favor of curtailing dishonest advertising, and that's kind of what propaganda is, but... I'm not sure where the lines are.
  - mkhpalm 8y ago
    Do you have any evidence of a foreign power inundating the public with propaganda through our media?
    - AnimalMuppet 8y ago
      If by "media" you include Facebook, I would say yes, we do.

michaelt 8y ago

Back before internet access was widespread I saw a lot of people online who foresaw a future where an internet connection provided access to the sum of all human knowledge, and forums to participate in the marketplace of ideas. Between human curiosity, good will and people's natural desire to not be wrong, everyone will learn and reason their way to the truth (incidentally ending up agreeing with me). Surely once everyone can access the equivalent of several university educations online, the masses will come to realise that sodomy should be legal for libertarian reasons; transparency and access to information will mean voters will demand and get honest officials; that employers will realise it's not rational to discriminate against a sysadmin for not wearing a dress shirt; and it'll be the year of Linux on the Desktop. In the subsequent decades, people have re-evaluated some of those predictions for understandable reasons.

b_tterc_p 8y ago
Well, we’re making progress on casual dress.

50656E6973 8y ago

It seems the pushes against freedom of speech ideals in the US greatly increased after the 2016 election, coming mostly from those who share the ideology of the losing party targeting the speech of the winning ideology/party.

AnimalMuppet 8y ago
That's true to a degree. But a lot of people are also legitimately troubled by the Russian use of the media to stir up trouble. Personally, I'm in favor of free speech. I'm not in favor of being inundated by manipulative propaganda from a foreign power. I don't know how to reconcile those two views. I mean, I guess I'm in favor of curtailing dishonest advertising, and that's kind of what propaganda is, but... I'm not sure where the lines are.
- mkhpalm 8y ago
  Do you have any evidence of a foreign power inundating the public with propaganda through our media?
  - AnimalMuppet 8y ago
    If by "media" you include Facebook, I would say yes, we do.