The internet?

[Guard Dog]

Question to OP - why is the knee-jerk reaction to ban and regulate freedom rather than trying to educate people on misinformation? I used to kneejerk that way, and I realized it's because I thought people were too dumb to educate - which is a highly cynical view for someone supposedly wanting the best for everyone and believing in the possibility of a Utopia where everyone works together.

Wow, a serious response in a thread that... well probably didn't deserve one. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with Ben. He's a smart guy. But I think we all know where he was going with this. Mes nailed it in less than 1o words.

 

Personally I think it's a beautiful thing. At it's best it is an absolutely unlimited exchange of knowledge and ideas (unless you live in Cuba, North Korea, or China or one of the other places that limit access). And if not all of it is true or worthwhile that is no big deal. Think about it. In the five minutes I spent typing this post I could have looked up and learned nearly any fact known to the human race. I could have bought nearly anything. Many of you were not around before the internet began looking anything like it does now. Coming from the perspective of someone who was it still staggers the imagination. I never once spoke to anyone from a country other than the US until I joined the military and actually visited a country other than the US. I never heard a language other than English except on distant radio stations late at night before then. I was 18 then. No eighteen year old in most of the world can say that now. 

Edited March 2, 2017 by Guard Dog

[Malcador]

Somewhat relevant

 

https://www.w3.org/blog/2017/02/on-eme-in-html5/

[Ben No.3]

Oh don't get me wrong.... I'm all in for a completely unregulated and free internet... In fact, i think companies like google and Facebook should even be made either public property or forced to split into smaller companies. Right now they hold FAR TOO MUCH power, especially for companies. And of course, NSA-style is also completely unacceptable. How that can be solved, I do not know. Regarding fake news, people simply need to be more educated. This only strengthens my demand for lifetime access to free college courses (of course, "actual" students get much better courses, but I think some level of constant public education at universities for everyone to walk in is necessary... I imagine it kinda like an almost "intellectual church" kinda deal... people go to university every Sunday, hear a philosophical or political or whatever topic, and have something to talk and think about)

 

The reason I included the proposal of censorship is to give somewhat of an antithesis to my own views. Dialectic and so on

Na, i just didn't want to make the first post too opinionated.

Edited March 2, 2017 by Ben No.3

[Ben No.3]

Also, thanks for the compliment.

[Ben No.3]

Question to OP - why is the knee-jerk reaction to ban and regulate freedom rather than trying to educate people on misinformation? I used to kneejerk that way, and I realized it's because I thought people were too dumb to educate - which is a highly cynical view for someone supposedly wanting the best for everyone and believing in the possibility of a Utopia where everyone works together.

Still advocating for Utopia. Don't worry

 

I meant this to be a discussion about how to handle fake news. I guess it backfired. But oh well

Edited March 2, 2017 by Ben No.3

[Gorth]

Oh don't get me wrong.... I'm all in for a completely unregulated and free internet... In fact, i think companies like google and Facebook should even be made either public property or forced to split into smaller companies.

 

:lol:

 

Does the word "Oxymoron" ring a bell???

 

As for anonymity, not really a fan of it as I think people should be held accountable for their actions. Just out of curiosity, when was the last major campaign for getting rid of license plates on motor vehicles? I would sure prefer to drive anonymously without some curious cop being able to look up my registration no. in a central database.

[Malcador]

Not quite sure that works as an analogy, though. Anonymity has its downsides but it beats the alternative, kind of like democracy that way, heh.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

 

Oh don't get me wrong.... I'm all in for a completely unregulated and free internet... In fact, i think companies like google and Facebook should even be made either public property or forced to split into smaller companies.

 

:lol:

 

Does the word "Oxymoron" ring a bell???

 

How so? Is regulation by private entities such as ISPs or media companies more palpable than if it comes from a state?

[Ben No.3]

 

 

Oh don't get me wrong.... I'm all in for a completely unregulated and free internet... In fact, i think companies like google and Facebook should even be made either public property or forced to split into smaller companies.

:lol:

 

Does the word "Oxymoron" ring a bell???

How so? Is regulation by private entities such as ISPs or media companies more palpable than if it comes from a state?

Well essentially the hope is that the state gives up the power the companies have right now. Freedom that enables people to control others doesn't deserve the name.

 

Of course, it would be horribly easy for states to abuse this. Thus, forcing the companies to split up seems more reasonable.