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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the companies who own Internet forums...

73 replies

MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 11:40

should sift out the trolls and not leave offensive remarks on their site.
I have just been looking on You Tube and a lot of comments are vile.
Why aren't they deleted? Is it all in the name of 'free speech'? :(

OP posts:
Morloth · 28/04/2012 12:23

Which is exactly what you are saying right now.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:23

Kitty, you can't say that good free speech is okay and bad free speech isn't. You do know what free speech means?
:o Speech then, without the 'free'.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:24

Guess I disagree with 'free speech' then!

OP posts:
fedupofnamechanging · 28/04/2012 12:24

Also there is a difference between freedom of speech and freedom of action. I would defend to the death, someone's right to say what ever they want, no matter how rude or offensive. I would vehemently fight against their 'right' to act on those opinions.

Just because someone is not allowed to articulate their opinions, it doesn't mean those opinions cease to exist. I would always prefer to know what someone really thinks and censorship would remove that.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:25

morloth yes, therein lies the problem.

OP posts:
Morloth · 28/04/2012 12:26

What problem? You wanting everyone to behave in a way you deem appropriate?

bettybat · 28/04/2012 12:26

Without freedom of speech Kitty you have ABSOLUTELY no right to say what you've said in this thread or express any of the opinions you have, and I demand your comments are removed.

See?

It cuts both ways.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:27

Karma: I would defend to the death, someone's right to say what ever they want, no matter how rude or offensive.
I wouldn't defend anyone who threatened to kill my child in the name of free speech regardless of their intention to actually do it or not.

OP posts:
fedupofnamechanging · 28/04/2012 12:28

Then Kitty, I suggest you move to a country that doesn't have any and see if you continue to hold the same opinion.

The problem with controlling people's freedom of speech is that there is no universal consensus as to what opinions are right and wrong - you will find yourself living in a dictatorship, where the powerful oppress the weak.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:29

Betty yes, I know!

OP posts:
bettybat · 28/04/2012 12:30

Then what's your argument? You don't have to actually like what's being said, while accepting it can be said.

bettybat · 28/04/2012 12:31

Hahaha yes - Kitty - move to N. Korea. No one says anything nasty there...

fedupofnamechanging · 28/04/2012 12:31

Wouldn't you rather know that that is what they are thinking, so you could take steps to protect your child?

There is a huge difference between threatening an individual and intending to do them physical harm (which of course has to be stopped) and expressing a horrible opinion, verbally.

You can't separate it out - if you remove that individual's right to say what they want, then you remove your own right to object.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:32

Karma read my comments up thread
MrsKittyFane Sat 28-Apr-12 12:04:26Betty: How and who decides what is OK and what is not?that is the problem. Morally corrupt people being the ones who say yes or no.

OP posts:
Teeb · 28/04/2012 12:32

You can't cherry pick the morals and attitudes that suit your belief system, while saying that anything you disagree with should be moderated and censored. That route of thinking is madness really, when you stop to think about it. It's also a very entitled view point to have, that your Western/liberal/Christian/conservative (tick where appropriate) thoughts are more worthy/superior than that which you disagree with.

There are plenty of laws in place for very extreme cases, like incitement of racial hatred or harassment.

Morloth · 28/04/2012 12:34

But what makes you think you are not the morally corrupt one? What makes you so special that you get to decide what other people can and can't say?

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:36

Karma:Wouldn't you rather know that that is what they are thinking, so you could take steps to protect your child?
So they are heard, people don't like what they are saying and stop them from saying more or acting out their threats.
Yes I see what you are saying but their words are still censored. Just a bit further down the line. At least they are identified.

OP posts:
KeemaNaanAndCurryOn · 28/04/2012 12:38

The sad fact is that the world is full of arseholes. The internet gives them a voice that otherwise they would never have had. What before would have been an offensive comment in a pub is now public for the whole world to see.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:40

morloth Everybody thinks they are right. Those who slaughter whole communities think they are right. The 9/11 bombers thought they were right. Were they though? Who says, who decides?

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 28/04/2012 12:40

autumn I am glad to see most people agree with me. It's people who agree with MrsKitty who terrify me. Not the ones saying things that are vile.

IMHO MrsKitty's attitude is more dangerous than anything some stranger on the internet could say to me or about me.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:41

Keema :The sad fact is that the world is full of arseholes. The internet gives them a voice that otherwise they would never have had. What before would have been an offensive comment in a pub is now public for the whole world to see.
Yes! :) I don't defend their right that's all!

OP posts:
Teeb · 28/04/2012 12:42

No one has the ability to decide universal law. Government and law makers can create laws and regulations within their own lands. The trouble with this is that is the internet has become universal, and so doesn't fit in with neat little pigeon holes you would like.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 28/04/2012 12:42

Tee explain why you are terrified by my opinion?

OP posts:
Teeb · 28/04/2012 12:45

Sorry to butt in on the question aimed at Tee, but I can agree with the sentiments also. From my point of view, the entitled self inflated view of your own opinion and those that agree with you is a worrying trait. It's all very well and good while the opinion you hold is in favour, but what happens if the opposite side of the coin censors everything you were to say? You wouldn't like that, would you?

bettybat · 28/04/2012 12:46

Kitty - Because your way lies, controlled speech, controlled thinking, lack of freedom, lack of challenging things, repression and ultimately fascism. It's very scary but mostly it's immature. It's all my way and I don't care about the consequences. Think outside your own head and recognise what it is that you're actually saying.