YR1411 Lady Bunny

Regarding deplatforming, free speech, etc…..the argument from the guy who said facists are recruiting, not tring to have a reasoned debate, has given me pause also. Another thing that is making me question my default position on free speech is some articles I have come across recently about the history of the ACLU being an advocate for labor and social justice in it’s early history. They also defended some white supremacists early on … but supposedly it was all in the spirit of what would be best for social justice in the long run as opposed to some absolutist view of free speech.

I am not ready to change my tune on free speech, but I am starting to consider it as a little more complex. It occurs to me sometimes that the absolutist free speech argument is possibly not so different than the absolutist pro gun second amendment argument. I think a closer look at what intentions of the first amendment were and a consideration of changing technology is called for. Just as we would ask 2nd amendment advocates to think about weapons technology now vs when the 2nd amendment was conceived.

Lastly; twitter, facebook and you tube removing accounts is not really an honest taking responsibility. It is well known that their algorithms and business model relies significantly on inflamatory and polarizing speech. How they can adress that and stay in business I don’t know. But considering how valuable people seem to feel Facebook is I would think they would pay a subscription. If they have money left over after donating to Yeast Radio that is.