What do you think should not be given a platform?

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 01:25PM #1

There's no such thing as free speech. This isn't my opinion - it's a fact. You can't publish or broadcast absolutely anything you want, and you never could. Even the oft cited U.S. First Amendment has a bunch of exceptions attached to it.

Freedom of speech is more of an accurate term than free speech, as it implies limits. It applies to the state though, not every organisation. In this country, you don't get sent to prison for expressing your views - and rightly so. Private companies can censor you if they want, without breaching the right to freedom of speech - although I don't agree with monopolies like Facebook, Twitter and Google doing so when it's just a view that's not liberal. Ditto the press. Might not be state run but has a duty to report the truth. And police intervention in the UK regarding tweets is just a whole load of crazy.

But not everything should be given a platform. In my opinion this applies to certain anti vaccination folks. I'm not talking about people asking questions, expressing concerns. But those folk who cite some guy/girl on Facebook as valid research, and because their position is so weak they get defensive and angry, and the absolute vileness of the things they say to and about parents of children who are ill and vaccinated (or not vaccinated). These people should be banned. Not just for being nasty ***** but for the dangerous misinformation they are spreading in relation to a life/death public health matter, and endangering their children. Babies of pre vaccine age shouldn't be at risk because of stupidity and pigheadedness.

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 01:26PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote:

But not everything should be given a platform. In my opinion this applies to certain anti vaccination folks. I'm not talking about people asking questions, expressing concerns. But those folk who cite some guy/girl on Facebook as valid research, and because their position is so weak they get defensive and angry, and the absolute vileness of the things they say to and about parents of children who are ill and vaccinated (or not vaccinated). These people should be banned. Not just for being nasty ***** but for the dangerous misinformation they are spreading in relation to a life/death public health matter, and endangering their children. Babies of pre vaccine age shouldn't be at risk because of stupidity and pigheadedness.

So basically you want the views of others banned if you believe they are wrong?

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 01:29PM

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

So basically you want the views of others banned if you believe they are wrong?

"So basically" you didn't read the post.

To add, people who say "So what you're saying is" in response to someone who didn't say that at all, should be banned.

p1akuw47h5r3it · 19-04-2019 01:30PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

There's no such thing as free speech. This isn't my opinion - it's a fact. You can't publish or broadcast absolutely anything you want, and you never could. Even the oft cited U.S. First Amendment has a bunch of exceptions attached to it.

Freedom of speech is more of an accurate term than free speech, as it implies limits. It applies to the state though, not every organisation. In this country, you don't get sent to prison for expressing your views - and rightly so. Private companies can censor you if they want, without breaching the right to freedom of speech - although I don't agree with monopolies like Facebook, Twitter and Google doing so when it's just a view that's not liberal. Ditto the press. Might not be state run but has a duty to report the truth. And police intervention in the UK regarding tweets is just a whole load of crazy.

But not everything should be given a platform. In my opinion this applies to certain anti vaccination folks. I'm not talking about people asking questions, expressing concerns. But those folk who cite some guy/girl on Facebook as valid research, and because their position is so weak they get defensive and angry, and the absolute vileness of the things they say to and about parents of children who are ill and vaccinated (or not vaccinated). These people should be banned. Not just for being nasty ***** but for the dangerous misinformation they are spreading in relation to a life/death public health matter, and endangering their children. Babies of pre vaccine age shouldn't be at risk because of stupidity and pigheadedness.

Banned from where?

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 01:31PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote:

"So basically" you didn't read the post.

I did read your post, your response confirms what I said.

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 01:33PM

Lance Screeching Battery wrote:

Banned from where?

I can only assume Earth.

greencap · 19-04-2019 01:33PM

So ... ban incitement of stupidity?

Probably doable, tricky though.

Signore Fancy Pants · 19-04-2019 01:40PM

Male feminists.

Traveller apologists.

Conspiracy theorists.

Politicans.

Duck face "influencers".

Non-duck face "influencers".

People who don't like Topic bars.

People who disagree with me.

Anyone born after 1999.

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 01:41PM

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I did read your post, your response confirms what I said.

And yet I said: I don't believe in monopolies banning people for different opinions to liberal ones, or the press not telling the truth, or the police getting involved regarding tweets, or people simply asking questions/expressing concerns about vaccines... just that not everything should be given a platform (obviously - I mean e.g. beheadings) and the one thing - I literally only said one thing - I believe should not be given a platform is misinformation regarding an important health issue affecting children, and the vile harassment that often accompanies it.

Soooooooo... I'm just not seeing where you have grounds to say to me "So basically you want the views of others banned if you believe they are wrong?"

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 01:45PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote:

Soooooooo... I'm just not seeing where you have grounds to say to me "So basically you want the views of others banned if you believe they are wrong?"

Of course you don't. ;-)

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 01:50PM

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Of course you don't. ;-)

Indeed I don't. And I outlined clearly above. A short sentence and winky face doesn't change that. Perhaps clarify further how you have evidence that I "want the views of others banned if I believe they are wrong", cozzzzz there are loads of views I believe are wrong yet I don't think those who hold them should be banned.

I suspect you are an anti vaccine person - don't take it personally if so. I just don't want pre vaccinated children to be at risk, or a rise in preventable illnesses.

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 01:53PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote:

I suspect you are an anti vaccine person - don't take it personally if so. I just don't want pre vaccinated children to be at risk, or a rise in preventable illnesses.

Suspect what you want although I understand the tactic.I just take issue with those who wish to silence the views or beliefs of others.

padd b1975 · 19-04-2019 01:54PM

Anyone who tells me how to live my life but earns less than me.

BattleCorp · 19-04-2019 01:56PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

But not everything should be given a platform. .

I agree that not everything should be given a platform.

But how do you decide what gets a platform and what doesn't? That's an impossible task to do fairly.

What normally happens is that those in power ban anything they don't like. That's a dangerous road to go down.

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 01:58PM

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I just take issue with those who wish to silence the views or beliefs of others.

I agree. It's not just views or beliefs though is it - it's putting children's health at risk. It goes way way beyond just expressing views/beliefs.

So yeah, I'm not guilty of what you accused me of without evidence.

Outlaw Pete · 19-04-2019 02:04PM

Nobody should be banned / silenced from saying anything they want as long as it isn't a call for violence.

If private companies want to ban certain views being expressed, fine, within reason.

Many are hiding behind that so they can push certain political viewpoints though.

19-04-2019 02:07PM

The thing about Google, twitter, Facebook, boards, reddit etc is people are free to go start up there own one if they want, unlike State suppression of speech. None of these really work though, they just become toxic pits.

Mickeroo · 19-04-2019 02:09PM

"Be excellent to each other"

If it contradicts the above mantra on which our society should be based then it shouldn't be given a platform.

Gimme A Pound · 19-04-2019 02:09PM

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

Nobody should be banned / silenced from saying anything they want as long as it isn't a call for violence.

What about verbal abuse though? What about misinformation?

I am not talking about views that are contrary to the over arching narrative. Personally I welcome those hugely.

BattleCorp · 19-04-2019 02:11PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

What about verbal abuse though? What about misinformation?

I am not talking about views that are contrary to the over arching narrative. Personally I welcome those hugely.

Who decides what constitutes verbal abuse? If I say to Donald Trump that he is doing a 'sh1te job', does that constitute verbal abuse?

p1akuw47h5r3it · 19-04-2019 02:14PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

What about verbal abuse though? What about misinformation?

I am not talking about views that are contrary to the over arching narrative. Personally I welcome those hugely.

If you ban misinformation you'll essentially be banning 90% of the media.

BattleCorp · 19-04-2019 02:15PM

DanDan6592 wrote: »

If you ban misinformation you'll essentially be banning 90% of the media.

And 100% of political parties.

Fr_Dougal · 19-04-2019 02:16PM

Agree with the point about the Topic bars.

Plumbthedepths · 19-04-2019 02:21PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote:

I suspect you are an anti vaccine person

Can you explain the reasoning behind this accusation and it's purpose?

hatrickpatrick · 19-04-2019 02:35PM

Nothing at all, as far as I'm concerned. No-platforming is a cancer on democracy and on internet freedom.

Ten of Swords · 19-04-2019 02:41PM

Fair City should not be given a platform...

Any platform...

Ever

Spleerbun · 19-04-2019 02:48PM

DanDan6592 wrote: »

If you ban misinformation you'll essentially be banning 90% of the media.

Would that be so bad I wonder?

super_furry · 19-04-2019 02:52PM

Donkey Kong. He just smashes them all down as soon as the level starts anyway.

Ten of Swords · 19-04-2019 03:00PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

people who say "So what you're saying is" in response to someone who didn't say that at all, should be banned.

Ah, the Cathy Newman Lobster defence. Good call!

Robsweezie · 19-04-2019 05:09PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

"So basically" you didn't read the post.

To add, people who say "So what you're saying is" in response to someone who didn't say that at all, should be banned.

cathy newman is that poster's spirit animal.

Outlaw Pete · 19-04-2019 05:50PM

Ariadne Eager Patio wrote: »

What about verbal abuse though?

Like I said, it's fine to action for certain stuff like that, especially anywhere that wants healthy debate. Nightmare to moderate it on the likes of Twitter though I'd imagine. Smaller platforms like Boards though and I absolutely think it's a necessity to action it.

The issue on Boards though is that you have certain mods who will one minute two foot tackle the mildest of posts which they feel crosses the ad hominem line and then the next turn a blind eye to another post which is ten times worse. Seen some mods post comments which they themselves wouldn't allow and thank many of 'em too.

Inconsistency is a huge issue on this platform and larger afield too. Differing political and societal views more often than not are why it occurs. Boards likes to posture as if it wants healthy debate above all else, where all parties involved in discussions will be held to the same standard of posting, but the days of that being anywhere close to the truth are long since past.

Same goes for Twitter. Their actions betray their supposed ethos.

What about misinformation?

Trust me, it annoys the arse off me, but certainly don't think someone should be banned for it.

As far as I'm concerned, it should be up to the userbase to either challenge what's posted and debate whether or not it is correct or not. Mods are human and can be as wrongheaded as the rest of us.

What do you think should not be given a platform?

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