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> Software is speech. You might be able to argue source code is “speech”, but running software definitely isn’t. It’s so different it’s difficult to know where
by dwb 12d ago
> Software is speech.
You might be able to argue source code is “speech”, but running software definitely isn’t. It’s so different it’s difficult to know where to start.
- samlinnfer 12d agoCode is speech, and if you aren't allowed to run the code, what good is it being being available or free? Any "regulations" would start by restricting code, it's no different from saying writers need a lot of regulations because of dangerous or badly written text/books/publications has caused a lot of damage.
- dwb 12d agoIt’s very different. It’s doesn’t matter that source code (as “speech”) is useless without running it (though I don’t think that’s quite true) - the definition doesn’t care about how inconvenienced you are. The point of having free speech is to be able to freely express views. Running code isn’t expressing a view, it’s a machine that’s having an independent effect in the world. You may as well say that running industrial equipment is “speech”. It generalises so much it loses meaning.
- VCFundedGenYer 12d agoCode does not operate under the rights of a country, and your definition of "speech" and "Free speech" is misguided and wrong.