4 ms·

When people say "violating section 230," rather than correcting them it's more instructive to understand what they're trying to communicate. Usually it seems t

When people say "violating section 230," rather than correcting them it's more instructive to understand what they're trying to communicate. Usually it seems to be they're really saying "this shows section 230 is a bad idea." If we could move past the reflexive "well actually" there's a real issue people feel needs to be addressed.

pwinnski 6y ago
It does reveal that there's an issue that bothers people, but I'm not sure it needs to be addressed beyond explaining that Section 230--or something just like it--is what gives us the free and open internet we enjoy today. Without it, there is likely no Hacker News, nor any other social media.
- TigeriusKirk 6y ago
  There certainly are more fine-grained solutions possible. My believe is that if this is forced into a take it or leave it scenario, we're not going to like the outcome.
  - pwinnski 6y ago
    Nobody will, because changes to Section 230 will likely kill all social media. Which, come to think of it, might be a net gain to society overall. Hard to say.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
jhayward 6y ago
>When people say "violating section 230," rather than correcting them it's more instructive to understand what they're trying to communicate. I think the first priority is to ensure that the poster's misinformation (i.e., telling people that 230 says/does something it is explicitly designed not to do) does not propagate through this medium. It's a public forum, not a conversation with just the poster. Then, if possible, you can engage with their disfunction. But given the weaponized role of misinformation today that's the first item in the checklist to be addressed.
- TigeriusKirk 6y ago
  I really do disagree. I think it's far more important to understand and address the actual concern. Someone is going to. It would be far better if it was someone who understands what is at stake. From my viewpoint, it's very likely Section 230 will be modified. Once that action is underway, you'll be well behind the curve if you're just starting to grasp what people want. Others will have taken that time and effort and figured out how to mold it to their own ends, and the momentum will be building.

pwinnski 6y ago

It does reveal that there's an issue that bothers people, but I'm not sure it needs to be addressed beyond explaining that Section 230--or something just like it--is what gives us the free and open internet we enjoy today. Without it, there is likely no Hacker News, nor any other social media.

TigeriusKirk 6y ago
There certainly are more fine-grained solutions possible. My believe is that if this is forced into a take it or leave it scenario, we're not going to like the outcome.
- pwinnski 6y ago
  Nobody will, because changes to Section 230 will likely kill all social media. Which, come to think of it, might be a net gain to society overall. Hard to say.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

jhayward 6y ago

>When people say "violating section 230," rather than correcting them it's more instructive to understand what they're trying to communicate. I think the first priority is to ensure that the poster's misinformation (i.e., telling people that 230 says/does something it is explicitly designed not to do) does not propagate through this medium. It's a public forum, not a conversation with just the poster. Then, if possible, you can engage with their disfunction. But given the weaponized role of misinformation today that's the first item in the checklist to be addressed.

TigeriusKirk 6y ago
I really do disagree. I think it's far more important to understand and address the actual concern. Someone is going to. It would be far better if it was someone who understands what is at stake. From my viewpoint, it's very likely Section 230 will be modified. Once that action is underway, you'll be well behind the curve if you're just starting to grasp what people want. Others will have taken that time and effort and figured out how to mold it to their own ends, and the momentum will be building.