3 ms·

I'm thinking all of these bans on the major platforms are simply a result of risk mitigation rather than deliberate stifling of free speech (although it has bec

by bserge 6y ago

I'm thinking all of these bans on the major platforms are simply a result of risk mitigation rather than deliberate stifling of free speech (although it has become evident that the platforms hold too much power over it). The attack on the US Capitol sent the big wigs into panic - nobody wants to be linked to something like that. The easiest solution is to completely ban, deny service and deny affiliation with anyone involved. Much lower risk of the US government blaming them for enabling people to do what they did. I don't think anyone high up in these companies gives a rat's ass about freedom of speech, incitement to violence or hate online, every platform was (and still is) full of that. Up until this incident they maintained the usual "we're a neutral platform" spiel, sometimes banning people who were too aggressive, trolling or being reported a lot by others. But now that "shit got real", they're covering their asses.

mstade 6y ago
This is mostly my assessment also, and I don’t think it would’ve happened as fast or as (seemingly) lightly if it happened at some point during the Trump term before the election. Possibly it wouldn’t have happened at all for fear of costly reprisals from the administration. My personal opinion is: good riddance. I believe in free speech, but I also believe in the paradox of tolerance and that something’s gotta give. While I do believe in free speech, I don’t believe that’s the same thing as everyone having a right to be listened to, or having the right to a megaphone. I have no answers to any of the problems that come with moderating forums, I think it’s a hard (impossible perhaps?) problem to solve. But I’m also glad that hard as it may be, the places online that are worth hanging out seem to be doing a mostly pretty good job of it. (Thank you dang! <3)
TulliusCicero 6y ago
Executives don't want to be blamed for bad shit. That's obviously priority #1. They also don't want to actually have been responsible for bad shit. They're still human, and have human interests. (This is the point where someone jumps in to loudly point out every bad thing Google/Apple/FB/etc has ever done)

by bserge 6y ago

mstade 6y ago

This is mostly my assessment also, and I don’t think it would’ve happened as fast or as (seemingly) lightly if it happened at some point during the Trump term before the election. Possibly it wouldn’t have happened at all for fear of costly reprisals from the administration. My personal opinion is: good riddance. I believe in free speech, but I also believe in the paradox of tolerance and that something’s gotta give. While I do believe in free speech, I don’t believe that’s the same thing as everyone having a right to be listened to, or having the right to a megaphone. I have no answers to any of the problems that come with moderating forums, I think it’s a hard (impossible perhaps?) problem to solve. But I’m also glad that hard as it may be, the places online that are worth hanging out seem to be doing a mostly pretty good job of it. (Thank you dang! <3)

TulliusCicero 6y ago

Executives don't want to be blamed for bad shit. That's obviously priority #1. They also don't want to actually have been responsible for bad shit. They're still human, and have human interests. (This is the point where someone jumps in to loudly point out every bad thing Google/Apple/FB/etc has ever done)