,
11 tweets,
2 min read
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There is a nonsensical straw man of an argument going on right now vis a vis social media. Let me explain.
There is no question, none at all, that most of the left will get a pass for things which will get those NOT on the left deplatformed. As you might imagine, many not on the left find this asymmetry to be untenable.
OMG SO YOU WANT GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU ARE A POOR LIBERTARIAN/CONSERVATIVE HAHAHA. - say the transparently dishonest people
There is an important different between a platform and a publisher. Okay, more than one, but I'm going for simple here. Platforms are not liable for any libelous claims on their site because it's pretty much a free for all.
Publishers regulate the content on their sites by making editorial decisions on what to allow or not allow. If someone posts something libelous, hey, there is potentially liability.
Social media was carved out an exception in the law. This allows them to act as a publisher re: content while farting in the face of any legal ramifications. Again, this is simplistic because Twitter.
What I and most want - I think- is for that special carve out to be eliminated. If Twitter/Google/FB/ et al wish to prevent material with which they disagree from being allowed on their sites, fine. They are now publishers and should be treated as such.
OMG THE GUYS BEING BANNED/DEPLATFORMED ARE TERRIBLE. WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING THEM?!
I support them as much as I support your nonsense, which is to say not at all. But I'm not in favor of banning you either. I think bad speech is defeated by more speech, not less of it.
I support them as much as I support your nonsense, which is to say not at all. But I'm not in favor of banning you either. I think bad speech is defeated by more speech, not less of it.
In any event, that's the idea. If removing special legal protections re: platform vs publisher looks like GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF SOCIAL MEDIA to you, then you have much bugger problems and should seek immediate medical attention.
Oh, and those of you who keep dishonestly presenting this false choice will receive nothing but the electronic equivalent of wet farts from now on. Do better.
This is worth reading as well.
