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This argument, which Ive seen in many forms, that twitter mobs are actually just free speech against someone's opinion, is disingenuous. What happens now is no

This argument, which Ive seen in many forms, that twitter mobs are actually just free speech against someone's opinion, is disingenuous. What happens now is not just an argument where two sides offer their arguments on an issue. It's a full on total war against the target--friends and employers and anyone else affiliated with them are targeted and pressured and bullied into withdrawing their support for the target. This withdrawal of support gives the impression that everyone is against the target and they must have some horrible, tiny minority opinion. This isn't true, people are just afraid to speak up. The transgender movement isn't convincing anyone this way, they're just making everyone shut up. Everyone knows there are actual, essential differences between women and transwomen and anyone who claims there aren't is either deluded or cowed. JK Rowling has tons of money so there's not much they can do but most people don't.

spamizbad 5y ago
> This argument, which Ive seen in many forms, that twitter mobs are actually just free speech against someone's opinion, is disingenuous Ok explain to me, as an American, how joining a so-called “Twitter Mob” is somehow not covered under my right of free speech and assembly: especially if it’s done within the confines of the Twitter TOS. The word “mob” gets tossed around but really it’s just a bunch of people saying “I don’t like person X and I think they’re bad and their ideas are bad.” — liking and retweeting each other. If you want to be crude you could call it a circle-jerk but it’s hardly a gestapo.
- matheusmoreira 5y ago
  > it’s just a bunch of people saying “I don’t like person X and I think they’re bad and their ideas are bad.” You're kidding, right? I've seen these "bunches of people" go out and actively try to harm the targets of their hatred. I've seen them stalk, harass and dox people. I've seen them create wiki articles about their targets in order to hurt them more efficiently. I've seen them try to get people fired or have their sponsors cut them off. I've seen them falsely accuse people of serious crimes and actively attempt to ruin their reputation. In my country, I've seen one particular person not only get sued but be condemned by the justice system twice due to false accusations and defamation.
  - spamizbad 5y ago
    Sounds like you’re against free speech and trying to argue that being critical online of public figures is akin to yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Obviously when people cross the line and break the law that’s not protected speech, but merely talking with your friends about how much you dislike a public figure doesn’t constitute violence. Speech is not violence. You have to permit critical discourse, even if it’s frothy and passionate and absurd. That is a human right. That is the essence of liberalism.
    - matheusmoreira 5y ago
      > Obviously when people cross the line They often do. In fact, the outrage these people generate is amplified by social media. They end up causing real damage because of it. > You have to permit critical discourse, even if it’s frothy and passionate and absurd. I agree. I just don't like how justified and virtually untouchable these literal mobs are. They will call people out over some controversial post but I've seen them post stuff like "kill all men" with absolute impunity. I've seen them literally laugh at people who pointed that out. People need to see them for what they are: a bunch of hating bullies who found acceptable targets they can safely lash out against. I don't want them jailed. I want people to stop taking them seriously. That's where their power comes from.

spamizbad 5y ago

> This argument, which Ive seen in many forms, that twitter mobs are actually just free speech against someone's opinion, is disingenuous Ok explain to me, as an American, how joining a so-called “Twitter Mob” is somehow not covered under my right of free speech and assembly: especially if it’s done within the confines of the Twitter TOS. The word “mob” gets tossed around but really it’s just a bunch of people saying “I don’t like person X and I think they’re bad and their ideas are bad.” — liking and retweeting each other. If you want to be crude you could call it a circle-jerk but it’s hardly a gestapo.

matheusmoreira 5y ago
> it’s just a bunch of people saying “I don’t like person X and I think they’re bad and their ideas are bad.” You're kidding, right? I've seen these "bunches of people" go out and actively try to harm the targets of their hatred. I've seen them stalk, harass and dox people. I've seen them create wiki articles about their targets in order to hurt them more efficiently. I've seen them try to get people fired or have their sponsors cut them off. I've seen them falsely accuse people of serious crimes and actively attempt to ruin their reputation. In my country, I've seen one particular person not only get sued but be condemned by the justice system twice due to false accusations and defamation.
- spamizbad 5y ago
  Sounds like you’re against free speech and trying to argue that being critical online of public figures is akin to yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Obviously when people cross the line and break the law that’s not protected speech, but merely talking with your friends about how much you dislike a public figure doesn’t constitute violence. Speech is not violence. You have to permit critical discourse, even if it’s frothy and passionate and absurd. That is a human right. That is the essence of liberalism.
  - matheusmoreira 5y ago
    > Obviously when people cross the line They often do. In fact, the outrage these people generate is amplified by social media. They end up causing real damage because of it. > You have to permit critical discourse, even if it’s frothy and passionate and absurd. I agree. I just don't like how justified and virtually untouchable these literal mobs are. They will call people out over some controversial post but I've seen them post stuff like "kill all men" with absolute impunity. I've seen them literally laugh at people who pointed that out. People need to see them for what they are: a bunch of hating bullies who found acceptable targets they can safely lash out against. I don't want them jailed. I want people to stop taking them seriously. That's where their power comes from.