Thread by @DrCOmole

ON TWITTER BAN OF TRUMP
I disagree with Twitter’s ban on Trump. While I am not in support of many of his politics & diatribes but a ban is unwise & dangerous.
Voltaire once said; “I might disagree with your opinion, but I am willing to give my life for your right to express it”

The caveats and warnings put under some of his tweets by Twitter was sufficient to highlight the non-mainstream nature of many of his views. But banning Trump is dangerous is a democracy. Crazy, unconventional and marginal views are part of democracy.

The first scientists to declare the world was not Flat (as believed by most at the time) were ridiculed by the mainstream. But later; they were found to be right. What if that view was banned. Incitement can be criminally prosecuted in most countries; so that is easy to deal with

People have to be given some credit to be able to identify crazy views and those that buy into those views will always get their news from other sources outside of Twitter. Such views could be driven Underground where they are more difficult to monitor & challenged.

Public debate is the lifeline of a thriving democracy. For every Trump views on Twitter there are dozens that counter & disagree with him. This mainstream discuss and disagreement is healthy and strengthen public understanding of all sides of an issue.

This can become a ‘Thin end of the wedge’. What other opinion will Twitter Ban? Part of their new policy also states they will ban views that are inconsistent with mainstream scientific consensus. This is vey dangerous. Today’s marginal view can become tomorrow’s consensus.

You don’t agree with or celebrate a wrong decision in Principle simply because you hate or disagree with the Person concerned. As he leaves office in a few days; Trump can be legally challenged for any incitement or libel. No need to ban him or his views.

Those celebrating ban on Trump should remember their position when in future Twitter ban other unconventional & marginal views that they support. Keeping Trump mainstream also means rebuttals will be visible to his supporters. Driving such underground makes mind-change difficult

Debates, abuses, insults & name calling are all part of free debates in public square. I don’t approve of these negative approach to discuss but I accept folks have free rights to be stupid and idiotic. But I will not Ban such. Especially ban by invisible panels in Silicon Valley

Ability to defeat falsehood is enhanced when it can be successfully challenged in the mainstream platforms with superior arguments. Driving such views underground simply create a brewing minefield of brainwashed compatriots that will be even more dangerous to society.

The ban on Trump should be reversed by Twitter as a matter of urgency. Let them allow his naked masquerade to dance in the marketsquare. There are enough counterviews to balance him out. And criminal justice system will take care of any incitement; esp now he is a private citizen

I am in no way supporting Trumps crazy and outlandish claims. But I am saying he has a right to be heard and brought down by superior arguments instead of banning him. Once banning is accepted for Trump; it’s a matter of time before other views are also banned & there is no end.