It does seem like we need to figure that out. We have lost the distinction that you have free speech, but you’re not free of the consequences of your speech.
We have a fundamental change with the internet, where people’s words can have a much larger impact on the world, while at the same time you’re getting more distance from those impacts, more insulation from the consequences.
In the olden days you could say “the sky is falling” all you want but people will think you’re weird and you’ll be ostracized. You face consequences for your words. Similarly you could scream. “FIRE” in a crowded theater subject to arrest for the panic you cause, for endangering people’s lives. You face the consequences of your words.
Now whatever you say on the internet has a broad enough reach that there will always be susceptible listeners, those who believe or who can be easily convinced. Now with sensationalistic and outrage culture, media, and politics, there will always be someone to “ride the wave” for their own benefit. But when there are consequences, it’s much easier to step away saying “wasn’t my fault”.
We as a society desperately need to reconnect those consequences back to those whose words caused them and those who “rode the wave” to profit their own needs
Also, enemies like Russia can find and fund these motherfuckers and there is no way to punish all these little traitors for selling out their country while they cash in.
Benny Johnson, for example. That little fucker should be rotting in prison.
It does seem like we need to figure that out. We have lost the distinction that you have free speech, but you’re not free of the consequences of your speech.
We have a fundamental change with the internet, where people’s words can have a much larger impact on the world, while at the same time you’re getting more distance from those impacts, more insulation from the consequences.
In the olden days you could say “the sky is falling” all you want but people will think you’re weird and you’ll be ostracized. You face consequences for your words. Similarly you could scream. “FIRE” in a crowded theater subject to arrest for the panic you cause, for endangering people’s lives. You face the consequences of your words.
Now whatever you say on the internet has a broad enough reach that there will always be susceptible listeners, those who believe or who can be easily convinced. Now with sensationalistic and outrage culture, media, and politics, there will always be someone to “ride the wave” for their own benefit. But when there are consequences, it’s much easier to step away saying “wasn’t my fault”.
We as a society desperately need to reconnect those consequences back to those whose words caused them and those who “rode the wave” to profit their own needs
Also, enemies like Russia can find and fund these motherfuckers and there is no way to punish all these little traitors for selling out their country while they cash in.
Benny Johnson, for example. That little fucker should be rotting in prison.