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You bring the interesting question into the mix: Would we rather have an environment which attempts to make everyone comfortable, safe, and - unoffended and un

You bring the interesting question into the mix: Would we rather have an environment which attempts to make everyone comfortable, safe, and - unoffended and untriggered? Or would we rather have an environment which attempts to give everyone the right to say what they wish, in the way they wish, without having to self-censor, and - quite possibly end up saying things that are hurtful or uncomfortable to others? This question is at the heart of many disagreements in online communities. To me, in the past HN started off as a place where censorship and tone-policing was more rare, but as time progresses it becomes more and more an environment that is about tone-policing and preventing discomfort or offense. I can't claim that either dynamic is preferable to the other.

Ixiaus 12y ago
I'm not supporting the idea that we should police what people are saying or limit their freedom, I don't condone that. However I do think there's a place for civil discussion and the idea that we're a social species attempting to all understand each-other, what each-other experience in life, and how we can all interact in a way that's collaborative is extremely important to our collective improvement, I think. So sure, say whatever you want to say, that's your own right but it will inevitably cut you off or out of the collaborative environment some people desire to be a part of and work hard to create, that is if what you say isn't shaped in such a way to honor and respect other people's own individual experiences and preferences. My words were intended to be a reminder and not to be taken as policing (even if I wanted to, I can't!) I firmly believe personal desires and preferences can be freely expressed in a manner that honors the person holding them and also honors the possibly different preferences and desires of other people.

Ixiaus 12y ago

I'm not supporting the idea that we should police what people are saying or limit their freedom, I don't condone that. However I do think there's a place for civil discussion and the idea that we're a social species attempting to all understand each-other, what each-other experience in life, and how we can all interact in a way that's collaborative is extremely important to our collective improvement, I think. So sure, say whatever you want to say, that's your own right but it will inevitably cut you off or out of the collaborative environment some people desire to be a part of and work hard to create, that is if what you say isn't shaped in such a way to honor and respect other people's own individual experiences and preferences. My words were intended to be a reminder and not to be taken as policing (even if I wanted to, I can't!) I firmly believe personal desires and preferences can be freely expressed in a manner that honors the person holding them and also honors the possibly different preferences and desires of other people.