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What do you think should not be given a platform?

  • 19-04-2019 01:25PM
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭


    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.


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    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?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭Gimme A Pound


    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. ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    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?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


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


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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    Banned from where?


    I can only assume Earth.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭greencap


    So ... ban incitement of stupidity?

    Probably doable, tricky though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭Signore Fancy Pants


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭Gimme A Pound


    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?"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    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. ;-)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭Gimme A Pound


    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.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,859 ✭✭✭✭padd b1975


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,867 ✭✭✭✭BattleCorp


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭Gimme A Pound


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,423 ✭✭✭✭Outlaw Pete


    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.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,562 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    "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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭Gimme A Pound


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,867 ✭✭✭✭BattleCorp


    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?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    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.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,867 ✭✭✭✭BattleCorp


    DanDan6592 wrote: »
    If you ban misinformation you'll essentially be banning 90% of the media.

    And 100% of political parties.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,166 ✭✭✭Fr_Dougal


    Agree with the point about the Topic bars.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    I suspect you are an anti vaccine person


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


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


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,492 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ten of Swords


    Fair City should not be given a platform...

    Any platform...

    Ever


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭Spleerbun


    DanDan6592 wrote: »
    If you ban misinformation you'll essentially be banning 90% of the media.

    Would that be so bad I wonder?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,365 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


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


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,492 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ten of Swords


    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!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭Robsweezie


    "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.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,423 ✭✭✭✭Outlaw Pete


    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.


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