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We do, collectively, as a society. Sometimes we'll get it wrong, and need to correct it. That's fine. We're capable of that. What's not fine is throwing up ou
by sagichmal 8y ago
We do, collectively, as a society.
Sometimes we'll get it wrong, and need to correct it. That's fine. We're capable of that.
What's not fine is throwing up our hands at even the concept of performing that judgment, because it's subjective or whatever. That cedes the public square to extremists, which results in a shittier society.
- beat 8y agoAnd observational data suggests that American society (and global society) has gotten better, not worse, at this judgment. When we started this game, we had slaves, who were defined as three fifths of a human being for purposes of political representation of slave owners. Voting was restricted to white land-owning men. It's getting better.
- dqpb 8y agoSo, popular vote? Let our representatives decide? Something else?
- sagichmal 8y agoAll of the above, and more. Organizations like Facebook can decide to deplatform white nationalists, and we can vote with our clicks or whatever in response to that. You and I can get on message boards and advocate for what we think is just. Over time we all shape our society in our image.
- beat 8y agoOur representatives. Our judicial system. Our public institutions. Our private businesses. You're WAY too hung up on this "who decides?" question, ignoring the reality that either someone has to decide, or that no one should decide and society should simply not regulate speech in any way, ever. Good luck with the latter if you ever have kids.
- dqpb 8y agoAh, but the devil is in the details.
- beat 8y agoAnd you're still dodging the fundamental questions I asked you a while back. You're just playing devil's advocate in the details. It's a lame and boring argument.
- dqpb 8y agoIf we do get there, I hope we can ban the most dangerous speech of all - religion.
- sadris 8y agoWe as a society decided homosexual advocacy was dangerous speech just decades ago. We were so enlightened then, right?
- anigbrowl 8y ago'Let's do gay sex' vs 'let's kill people in group X' seems like one of those apples and oranges comparisons people are always talking about.
- samaItman 8y agoThis comment goes against HN guidelines. "Be civil. Don't say things you wouldn't say face-to-face. Don't be snarky. Comments should get more civil and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive." "Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith." Consider this a warning, as we eventually ban accounts of repeat offenders. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- sagichmal 8y agoNo, we got that one wrong. But, now we're on the path to correcting it. This is good and just and how things should work.
- sadris 8y agoWhat's wrong and what's right? Who defines it? When? And why?