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> Facebook used to be popular because it was, at one point, fun. If they're going to remove all the voices they think are "dangerous", what they're left with wo
by cirgue 7y ago
> Facebook used to be popular because it was, at one point, fun. If they're going to remove all the voices they think are "dangerous", what they're left with won't be fun or interesting. Just lukewarm, milquetoast, or worse... lopsided.
Honestly, I hope that Facebook becomes more restrictive and more censorship-oriented. That would make alternative platforms more viable and increase diversity in online media. I'm also 100% opposed to the idea that private companies should be permitted to or expected to function as the town square. That, more than censorship, is the real threat to freedom of speech and freedom of thought. Facebook, twitter, and youtube, by the nature of their ranking algorithms and the structure of the service, have a huge influence on what and how ideas spread without explicitly pushing or censoring content.
- Mirioron 7y agoI think private platforms could act as the town square as long as we demand that platforms beyond a certain size can't just censor whatever they like. Make protections in section 230 of the communications decency act dependent on providing a platform for free speech if the platform is large.
- justinmchase 7y agoI think it should just be based on the sing-up model. If you allow open signup then you don't get to censor those users. If you want to be able to control their speech then make them sign a contract and agree to pay them money. It should just straight up not be legal for facebook to ban, block or delete the content of certain users while also having an open sign up model.
- throwawayjava 7y agoThis would kill millions of completely apolitical websites with strong user communities.
- cirgue 7y agoAgreed, this is an absolutely terrible idea. If you want to say whatever you want and be free from censorship, host your content on your own site.