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"Free Speech" and the Internet
- Thread starter Mickey Richaud
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
It never was free.
It costs me $49 a month...
It never was free.
It costs me $49 a month...
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
With so many privately-owned websites that the public can view, it's becoming more difficult to figure out what's really "public".
Website owners (and/or those who finance websites) have the right to restrict what's on the site. Just like a newspaper owner can exercise control over what's printed in the paper; same applies to a TV station owner, etc.
The whole issue is certainly something to think about, but it's only in the last ten years or so that we've had the ability to write on a "page" that's viewed by gazillions of people - yet the page we write on is actually privately owned. A whole new mindset is evolving.
You can stand on a soapbox in London's Hyde Park and say just about anything you want. The "space" is public and not owned by anyone. But if you're standing on a soapbox <span style="font-style: italic">that's provided by someone who's ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal</span>, I'd bet he/she would certainly want to limit what you say on that box!
I remember over 20 years ago visiting in Italy. Happened to look at the TV screen while dinner was being prepared. Gorgeous woman walks into view (on the TV screen) - completely bare from the waist up. None of the Italians in the room paid any attention to it. It's not illegal in Italy - and the TV station owners obviously had no problem with it.
Times change - people don't.
Tom
With so many privately-owned websites that the public can view, it's becoming more difficult to figure out what's really "public".
Website owners (and/or those who finance websites) have the right to restrict what's on the site. Just like a newspaper owner can exercise control over what's printed in the paper; same applies to a TV station owner, etc.
The whole issue is certainly something to think about, but it's only in the last ten years or so that we've had the ability to write on a "page" that's viewed by gazillions of people - yet the page we write on is actually privately owned. A whole new mindset is evolving.
You can stand on a soapbox in London's Hyde Park and say just about anything you want. The "space" is public and not owned by anyone. But if you're standing on a soapbox <span style="font-style: italic">that's provided by someone who's ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal</span>, I'd bet he/she would certainly want to limit what you say on that box!
I remember over 20 years ago visiting in Italy. Happened to look at the TV screen while dinner was being prepared. Gorgeous woman walks into view (on the TV screen) - completely bare from the waist up. None of the Italians in the room paid any attention to it. It's not illegal in Italy - and the TV station owners obviously had no problem with it.
Times change - people don't.
Tom
A
aerog
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
Yup. I read that article earlier and pretty much said "well, DUH".
Basil said:NutmegCT said:
Bingo!
Yup. I read that article earlier and pretty much said "well, DUH".
T
Tinster
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
<span style="color: #990000">HA!! Me and H.L. both lived in Bal-a-mer, Mare-lan.
Quite a happy day for Tinster and the Mrs. Bottle of bubbly
cooling in the fridge.
A toast to celebrate life!!
</span>
NutmegCT said:
<span style="color: #990000">HA!! Me and H.L. both lived in Bal-a-mer, Mare-lan.
Quite a happy day for Tinster and the Mrs. Bottle of bubbly
cooling in the fridge.
A toast to celebrate life!!
</span>
OP
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
Oblio and Arrow, and the Land of Point!
Gotta find my copy of the album now...
NutmegCT said:I would *never* say someone's mind was pointless!
On the other hand ... the top of my head maybe?
Oblio and Arrow, and the Land of Point!
Gotta find my copy of the album now...
Stewart
Darth Vader
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
When I was in Japan a few years ago it was the same thing. One of the local Nagoya TV stations had a huge screen set up in a large courtyard infront of their studio and it was rather interesting to watch. The best part was watching how they used the English language. The best was a band wearing T shirts with big bold letters describing a act of a very adult nature in a very uncomfortable place.
NutmegCT said:
When I was in Japan a few years ago it was the same thing. One of the local Nagoya TV stations had a huge screen set up in a large courtyard infront of their studio and it was rather interesting to watch. The best part was watching how they used the English language. The best was a band wearing T shirts with big bold letters describing a act of a very adult nature in a very uncomfortable place.
AweMan
Jedi Knight
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
Sad but oh sooooooooooo true!
Sounds real famillar to most if not all of us. Especialy for the next 6 or so months!
Not only that but each trying to limit the impact of the others views. And they call it free speech!
NutmegCT said:But if you're standing on a soapbox <span style="font-style: italic">that's provided by someone who's ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal</span>, I'd bet he/she would certainly want to limit what you say on that box!
Tom
Sad but oh sooooooooooo true!
Sounds real famillar to most if not all of us. Especialy for the next 6 or so months!
Not only that but each trying to limit the impact of the others views. And they call it free speech!
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
I think one of the "little details" we often overlook is that the Constitution (the First Amendment) precludes the US Congress, and by extension the federal government, from making laws which restrict the freedom of speech. And the 14th amendment extends that restriction to state governments and even local governments.
But it says nothing about individuals and their right to restrict the speech of others in their "space".
I remember back in my college teaching days, when I'd drive the Interstate to work, I'd see a large billboard in a field right next to the highway. The sign contained simply an extremely racist statement. But because it was on private property - not on public land - there was no action legally possible to restrict that free speech. And also because it was on private property, the property owner had every right to control what was said, or not said, on that land.
Just for the record, whether I agree or not with what was said, I support the right of that property owner to say whatever he/she wanted.
T.
I think one of the "little details" we often overlook is that the Constitution (the First Amendment) precludes the US Congress, and by extension the federal government, from making laws which restrict the freedom of speech. And the 14th amendment extends that restriction to state governments and even local governments.
But it says nothing about individuals and their right to restrict the speech of others in their "space".
I remember back in my college teaching days, when I'd drive the Interstate to work, I'd see a large billboard in a field right next to the highway. The sign contained simply an extremely racist statement. But because it was on private property - not on public land - there was no action legally possible to restrict that free speech. And also because it was on private property, the property owner had every right to control what was said, or not said, on that land.
Just for the record, whether I agree or not with what was said, I support the right of that property owner to say whatever he/she wanted.
T.
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
Before I decided to start BCF I had participated on a number of other forums, mostly dealing with Corvettes. Most of those forums were either not moderated, or very loosely moderated. As a result, there was always a great deal of “flaming” and personal attacks that did nothing whatsoever to advance the purpose of the board.
So when I decided to start BCF I was determined to make it a place where <span style="font-weight: bold">everyone felt welcomed</span> and the personal comments and other nastiness were kept to a minimum. It is my belief that trying to keep things friendly and promoting camaraderie within the community is the best way that I can contribute to t<span style="text-decoration: underline">he cause of keeping these great little cars on the road</span>.
Thus, I established a set of rules for "my soapbox" (this forum) aimed at keeping things light and friendly here and <span style="text-decoration: underline">keeping the focus on what really matters</span> and that is the betterment of our hobby. Other forums have rules that members agree to when they register, but unlike most other such forums, I actually enforce mine – not to try to hinder people’s freedom of expression, but rather to keep the BCF a place where a majority of people will want to visit.
I have always been painfully aware that not everyone agrees with my philosophy, and a few folks have probably left because of it. However, rest assured that I have had far more emails and PMs from members thanking me for keeping this place an island of civility in an internet sea of <span style="text-decoration: underline">vulgarity and flame wars</span>, than there have been people who complained about it. But I knew when I started this place that my way of doing things would not please everyone, and I was willing to accept that as a fact of life.
If I lose a few members along the way who don’t agree with my philosophy, that just highlights the old adage that you can’t please all the people all the time. What is important to me is that, at least in this little corner of the internet, people can engage in friendly dialog about this hobby without letting politics, religion, race, sex, creed or ideological baggage get in the way.
Peace,
Basil
NutmegCT said:But if you're standing on a soapbox <span style="font-style: italic">that's provided by someone who's ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal</span>, I'd bet he/she would certainly want to limit what you say on that box!
Before I decided to start BCF I had participated on a number of other forums, mostly dealing with Corvettes. Most of those forums were either not moderated, or very loosely moderated. As a result, there was always a great deal of “flaming” and personal attacks that did nothing whatsoever to advance the purpose of the board.
So when I decided to start BCF I was determined to make it a place where <span style="font-weight: bold">everyone felt welcomed</span> and the personal comments and other nastiness were kept to a minimum. It is my belief that trying to keep things friendly and promoting camaraderie within the community is the best way that I can contribute to t<span style="text-decoration: underline">he cause of keeping these great little cars on the road</span>.
Thus, I established a set of rules for "my soapbox" (this forum) aimed at keeping things light and friendly here and <span style="text-decoration: underline">keeping the focus on what really matters</span> and that is the betterment of our hobby. Other forums have rules that members agree to when they register, but unlike most other such forums, I actually enforce mine – not to try to hinder people’s freedom of expression, but rather to keep the BCF a place where a majority of people will want to visit.
I have always been painfully aware that not everyone agrees with my philosophy, and a few folks have probably left because of it. However, rest assured that I have had far more emails and PMs from members thanking me for keeping this place an island of civility in an internet sea of <span style="text-decoration: underline">vulgarity and flame wars</span>, than there have been people who complained about it. But I knew when I started this place that my way of doing things would not please everyone, and I was willing to accept that as a fact of life.
If I lose a few members along the way who don’t agree with my philosophy, that just highlights the old adage that you can’t please all the people all the time. What is important to me is that, at least in this little corner of the internet, people can engage in friendly dialog about this hobby without letting politics, religion, race, sex, creed or ideological baggage get in the way.
Peace,
Basil
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Re: "Free Speech" and the Internet
Laws are always based on something...I much prefer the "outdated puritan ethics" of our Founding Fathers to some of the alternatives.
"<span style="font-weight: bold">Blogging about</span> subjects such as minority rights and <span style="font-weight: bold">freedom of speech</span> <span style="font-style: italic">(like we're happily doing now)</span> and religion has also been dangerous. In 2005 blogger Mojtaba Saminejad was tried before a local court in Teheran charged with insulting the prophets, which carries the death penalty."
angelfj said:
Laws are always based on something...I much prefer the "outdated puritan ethics" of our Founding Fathers to some of the alternatives.
"<span style="font-weight: bold">Blogging about</span> subjects such as minority rights and <span style="font-weight: bold">freedom of speech</span> <span style="font-style: italic">(like we're happily doing now)</span> and religion has also been dangerous. In 2005 blogger Mojtaba Saminejad was tried before a local court in Teheran charged with insulting the prophets, which carries the death penalty."