Lately I see a lot of calls do have specific instances defederated for a particular subset of reasons:

  • Don’t like their content
  • Dont like their political leaning
  • Dont like their free speech approach
  • General feeling of being offended
  • I want a safe space!
  • This instance if hurting vulnerable people

I personally find each and every one of these arguments invalid. Everybody has the right to live in an echo chamber, but mandating it for everyone else is something that goes a bit too far.

Has humanity really developed into a situation where words and thoughts are more hurtful than sticks and stones?

Edit: Original context https://slrpnk.net/post/554148

Controversial topic, feel free to discuss!

  • HasturOPMEnglish
    52·
    1 year ago

    Thanks, very interesting contribution. I have a fair share of Usenet experience myself and before that FidoNet and other Mailboxes so I’ve seen my fair share of flame wars.

    I just want to point out one thing: I’m not at all against moderation or the ability to filter, block, ban or mute individual participants or communities, I was referring to a trend I’ve seen growing more and more: The call for a (central) authority to serve prefiltered, bland content, it should not offend anyone.

    And here’s my problem: Offense is more often taken than given.