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Twitter seems to ban all Threads links to reaffirm its position as a “free speech absolutist” platform (www.theverge.com)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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A search for Threads content on Twitter currently brings up zero results, despite plenty of links to Meta’s microblogging rival being posted on the platform.

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[–] 33 points 3 years ago (18 children)

Anyone that cries "free speech" when government isn't involved at all is a dolt

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  • [–] 24 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    Musk fans then: finally! We have absolute free speech

    Musk fans now: it's a private company. He can do whatever he wants

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  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (2 children)

    Isn't Twitter's free speech kinda the same as Fediverse or Reddit's free speech? Pretty sure if someone says something homophobic or transphobic in here, they'll get kicked out (which, for me, is good. Keep reading). It's free speech for the people that align with the admin ideals. I see nothing wrong with it besides the echo chamber effect, but at least people can create spaces where they feel safe.

    Someone could argue "but Lemmy also has right wing instances". Then just imagine Twitter is a right wing instance of Mastodon that has been defederated. And that's what the free market is about. The free market is a fediverse and a company is an instance, you can create an instance and put whatever rules you want in it. It's up to everyone else if they want to use it or federate with it. Twitter just "defederated" Threads. How is that different from a Lemmy instance defederating other instances?

    Is it against free speech when Lemmy admins kick right-wing people or defederated right-wing instances? I think it is against free speech, but I don't think everyone needs to allow free speech in their home. Go ahead and kick out the people you consider offensive. I believe Lemmy and private companies should have the right to do this.

    I do agree, it's his company. He can create his own rules. I don't agree with his rules, so I don't use the service.

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  • [–] 10 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Twitter's "free speech" rule after the musk takeover was utter hypocrisy and pure bullshit. It was never about "free speech" or, in his own words, "free speech absolutism". The latter would mean "zero moderation platform". Wouldn't take long for it to be nothing but bot posts of scams, hateful shit, pedophilia and snuff. Nobody in their right mind would favor zero moderation. Even fucking chans (4chan, 8chan) have moderation, not even they want to be swamped with even worse shit than they produce.

    In short, musk uses "free speech" as a dog whistle and smoke screen.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    He's an asshole and his platform is definetely not 100% free speech. I'm just saying even assholes should have the right to moderate their platforms however they want, obviously in the framework of the law.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago (13 children)

    If they think there are legal requirements then yes they are. But wanting platforms to be more open in general is not necessarily a doltish thing. Yes twitter has the legal right to ban anyone they want, but that doesn't mean that's a good thing or we shouldn't seek out platforms that aren't so arbitrarily censorious.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago* (12 children)

    When people cry free speech they are invoking the US constitution. They fail to recognize it only pertains to the government.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago (6 children)

    You cannot claim this on behalf of other people. I myself sometimes refer to lax moderation rules as "free speech focused" moderation. It has nothing to do with the government.

    That isn't to say that some, or even many, people don't use the phrase assuming that it is their constitutionally protected right to spread vitriol on the internet. But to imply that this is the only common meaning is disingenuous.

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  • [–] -3 points 3 years ago (5 children)

    Free speech is the freedom to speak about the government. That's all it is. That's it. If a company practices free speech all they're doing is exercising thier freedom to criticize the government. Same with an individual.

    There is no other form of free speech. It exists solely to counter the government.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (4 children)

    You don't police the English language. I don't know what else to tell you.

    One phrase can refer to multiple things; "free speech" often refers to the ability to say whatever you like* without repurcussions from an authoritative figure, be that the government, Elon Musk's cronies, or Lemmy moderators. Obviously it is not a constitutionally protected right in the latter contexts, but then again the phrase wasn't "right to free speech."

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  • [–] -5 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    Ok dude sure thing.
    Excuse me, I have swim my car to work.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    are you saying that free speech as a concept was invented by the US Government? and that the right to free speech can only be enforced by it?

    free speech can mean, and has meant, many things to many different people. the concept has been around for over 1000 years. there's plenty more to say about "free speech" than just the rights specifically provided to american citizens.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (4 children)

    Freedom of speech is an ideal before it is a law. Even if we lived in a utopian classless society without a government we could still have the concept that everyone deserves the right to say what they wish.

    If it can exist without the government then logically it cannot strictly refer to the government.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (3 children)

    Freedom of speech from what?

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (2 children)

    From your peers. For example if I say I am an atheist in a group of religious people and they kill me because of it - I don't have freedom of speech.

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  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    That's not what freedom of speech is.
    You obviously have no desire to learn anything so I'll just say have a good day. Enjoy.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    Go to Google and search "define freedom of speech"

    the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

    It doesn't say government anywhere there. I think I know where you are coming from - lots of people complain about private businesses or organizations not honoring freedom of speech and they may not be aware that legally only the government gives you the right to speech.

    Ie a business can tell you to leave if you say something offensive or a university doesn't have to accept a fascist lecturer.

    I think you learned something about that and want to tell everyone but don't worry - everyone knows. I'd imagine most people here are college educated.

    Freedom of speech is an ideal borne out of the enlightenment. Just like the pursuit of happiness or liberty. These ideas are not inextricably tied to governments.

    For example a slave owner giving their slave freedom. Nothing to do with government but it is an expansion of liberty. Of course modern liberal governments also guarantee liberty but it didn't originate the idea nor has exclusive use of the concept.

    It's a general, abstract thing.

    Also you're right, I have no desire at all to learn from you because I have determined you're out of your element. Really this message is for other people reading

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