My current view is that while I want to promote openness and free speech that can really only work in a context where the person exercising their speech feels some necessity to use it responsibly and in an honest way.

On the internet that takes a lot of self control because the social norms of every day life don’t always apply because:

  • no one knows who you are
  • there is not a human being right in front of you that you might feel empathy for
  • there are no consequences to anything you say
  • not all posts are even by humans.

With all these taken together there is a compelling argument that speech may need to be more highly regulated on the internet than in face to face interactions. However there are people with legitimate ( beliefs and ideas honestly held that they wish to discuss ) views that I worry are going to be silenced and further marginalized.

This is bad for society because if people get dismissed or pushed aside it just breeds resentment, distrust, and more misunderstanding. I think as we start defederating and making decisions we are setting up a dangerous situation where it becomes potentially easy to defederate for the wrong reasons.

For instance “we think they are being racist” or “they are spreading misinformation” could have unintended consequences. Some religions and communities might have beliefs that appear to be pseudoscience or even discrimination. However if these are honestly held beliefs that they are willing to engage in civil discourse around I don’t think it’s right to actually block them.

This is likely just the beginning of a much larger discussion so what are your thoughts?—

  • @[email protected]English
    1•1 year ago

    I never said it was made illegal though l, I said measures were taken against them… Just like defederating or banning users from one instance doesn’t put them in an “internet prison” and doesn’t impose a rule at the “federal level”, they can still share their opinions elsewhere and we let them do so, we just tell them they’re not welcome in our town if that’s the kind of message they want to share.

    • @[email protected]English
      1•1 year ago

      You implied that their decline was due to one incident in 1958 and the prowess of the FBI, at least, and I disagree. I, like the historians, attribute it to the KKK’s failings and the Civil Rights movement’s winnings.

      You were replying to (and “correcting me” on) a post claiming that “the kkk isn’t ilegal, but commiting crimes dressed as one or otherwise is illegal” so I figured you disagreed since you argued against it, my mistake, I guess your “correction” was misplaced.