Submitted by Sorin61 t3_z7qa8l in technology
TimidPanther t1_iy7ttee wrote
Reply to comment by anonymousviewer112 in UK waters down internet rules plan after free speech outcry by Sorin61
It’s not small, it seems most of Reddit is against it now.
anonymousviewer112 t1_iy7u4pb wrote
Reddit is a small % of the western world and is an extreme echo chamber. Even among Reddit users, it's again a very vocal group constantly on about this topic.
When you are a hammer (extreme liberal) everything is a nail (perceived racism or hate).
It's also been shown, like in the UK how detrimental it is to society and democracy to censor speech. It's sad really.
Erebeon t1_iy8e74z wrote
I was of a similar opinion late 90s but hasn't the internet proved this view to be rather naive? Free speech is currently destroying democracies the world over and worse, it's eroding social bonds and cohesion and could in fact lead to civil war. I am not just talking about the US here, the same is true for a lot of western countries.
Not to mention that "post truth free speech" is also eroding science and objective truth as well. Everyone can have their own "truth" and no matter how crazy, you ll manage to organise groups around said "truth" who are willing to go to extreme lengths to defend it.
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The internet is indirectly responsible and has contributed to the deaths of thousands of people. From genocides to small scale suicide pushers. We've seen it all this past decade.
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I remember in the late 90s how I thought the internet would bring the world together, erase borders and divisions between people, make everyone smarter and lift us up to new heights. It makes me sad to now see how the world is going in the exact opposite direction.
anonymousviewer112 t1_iy8li3s wrote
There are problems with allowing free speech to be sure. Democracy is a messy system but it's the best we have.
History has taught us over and over that free speech is a cornerstone of a legitimate democracy.
Free speech has issues but censoring speech has much worse issues.
Basically you are using the wrong tool (censoring people and removing freedom of speech) to stop hate speech.
Sniffy4 t1_iy9gx7p wrote
>History has taught us over and over that free speech is a cornerstone of a legitimate democracy.
History has also taught us that hate speech gets lots of people killed and can turn elections and put itself into power.
anonymousviewer112 t1_iy9hcgh wrote
You miss the point clearly.
There are pros & cons easy way here. However it's clear that free speech is the better of the 2 (vs censoring speech)
Sniffy4 t1_iy9hw3q wrote
> You miss the point clearly
No I completely got your point, it just happens to be wrong.
There have *always* been boundaries on public discourse for good reason (people die) and pretending like there never have been is not helpful.
anonymousviewer112 t1_iy9yfrr wrote
Never said there weren't boundaries in the past, not sure where you got that from...
What I am saying is that outside of basic boundaries which generally involve the matter being settled in the courts, there hasn't been been effective more wholesale censorship implemented in a way that doesn't severely undermine democracy.
You are just throwing your opinion out there "more censorship will equal less hate speech" without any specific details on how such a complicated and vast system would operate.
Try this...explain in detail what would and would not constitute hate speech as well as inaccurate information.
Cyathem t1_iy8e9x0 wrote
Reddit also praised China's handling of the pandemic, defend the Russian invasion, and regularly promote nonsense. This is completely on-brand for reddit.
TimidPanther t1_iy9gote wrote
Funnily enough they now seem to be supporting the anti Covid protests in China. But they were against the same protests in Canada.
It’s a weird world.
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