The Agora

I guess I'll be one of the first.

Nay, for now.

Defederation should be the last option. After we have exhausted all other options. Because it's the exchange of ideas, and exposure to other viewpoints, that helps reduce bigotry and hatred.

I'm well aware that a fascist is gonna fascist, no matter what someone tells them. There is no reasoning with them or trying to have a discourse with them because they only want to frustrate you. Those users should be blocked, or better, banned from our instance if possible. But there will be other users of that instance who are regular folk who simply like the idea of free speech. They should not be cut off and left to be turned by the fascists.

Nay. Just block the instance for your own account if you feel offended. I wholeheartedly agree with you on the examples you've shown us. However, this does not warrant censorship for one. And on the other side, if no one is able to convince them due to deplatforming, things won't ever get better. Thus: Nay.

Nay

I think Contextual Idiot said it best - 'Defederation should be the last option. After we have exhausted all other options. Because it’s the exchange of ideas, and exposure to other viewpoints, that helps reduce bigotry and hatred.'

Aye.

After reviewing the instance myself, their federation creates risks for this server falling afoul of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

I understand defederation is a nuclear option, and wait anxiously for improved tools for users to block posts from entire instances if so desired, but I see no benefit in our being federated with this specific instance.

Aye. Don't platform dog whistling.

Edit: Actually I had an experience as a result of exploding-heads because I was looking for an Oregon community and came across their oregon one (archive link), which included demonizing homeless and trans people. I ended up blocking it. This isn't just a bandwagon. I don't want others on this instance to be lured into those hateful rabbit holes. I ended up joining the PNW community on lemmy.world

Aye.

I had given my reasons previously, but I prefer not to platform bigotry.

If there was a way to reason against this kind of thing, reason could be used.

It can't.

Nay. I don't like what they're doing over there, but I don't think defederating is the right thing to do.

Other people have already said what I was thinking: "Defederation should be the last option", "You have a block list, curate your own filter bubble", "we ourselves have felt what it is like", etc.

Aye, after seeing the pictures this instance could very easily get into trouble for hosting that kind of content. Keep in mind that the site is not hosted in the US, but Canada.

Aye

Going forward, will be necessary to articulate standards and processes for defederation, to avoid having to relitigate the concepts of free speech, hate speech, etc. every time.

No, if the users are spamming this server then block them. I don’t like the idea of blocking jerks just cause they’re jerks on their own server

Nay.

Having shitty opinions is not an adequate basis to defederate them. I believe defederation should be a last resort.

There is a very clear way to justify defederation. Namely, if another instance is preventing our instance from flourishing. But unless the server is actively causing harm to our users and communities, why is it necessary? Simply block them if you want.

When people ask me why we defederated them, I would like to have a good answer.

No.

You are not 'deplatforming' them by de-federating. They still have a platform, they still have communities and they still can post there. You can't deplatform people in a federated social media, they own their own instance. What you're asking is for the site admins to add every EH user and community to the block list of everyone on this instance. I'm an adult, I don't need a Big Brother deciding what I can and cannot see.

Save de-federation for last resort issues that cannot possibly be resolved in any other way. If an instance is spamming, if an instance is being used for planning violence, if an instance is allowing the sharing of abusive images or illegal material, if an instance is coordinating harassment (doxing, SWATing, etc) then de-federate them.

De-federation should not be used to create filter bubbles. You have a block list, curate your own filter bubble. Don't try to enforce your block list on everyone else.

It's also worth noting that, outside of the the 4th and 5th images, none of the posts in those images would even be considered breaking a rule if posted on this instance. You're, for the most part, just posting right-wing posts which makes this appear like you're trying to push a political position.

I'm going to agree with contextual idiot

Nay

Mainly because we ourselves have felt what it is like to be defederation because of others on our instance. There could very well be normal upstairs people hosted on that instance that never interacts with their instances community itself.

If we defederate we risk them getting stuck in an eco chamber and potentially become exactly like the rest of them. And then that also brings up the same issue. The ones that are already bigots, if put into an echo chamber are going to think they are correct and are going to become bigger bigots. We won't ever see it but the people in their day to day life will.

Nay. Let's keep censorship to a minimum. No bubbles.

Aye, nothing lost from defederating them

Aye

The sooner the better because it's inevitable with our instance's rules

No. I've never seen an Exploding-Heads user on any other instance except for one guy who made an account purely to dissent on their instance.

Aye

I think I'm a nay - I'm torn. Basically I don't want to play the only ace card we have... Seems like an escalation, but I'm also qualified n00b and struggling to see how they're leaking across - other than with inflammatory replies

Aye

Aye.

Aye

As another user said, hate speech is not free speech. And associating with an instance such as that one could even have legal implications for @TheDude in the future.

Edit: Typo

Nay (for now)

My mind could be changed very easily on this in the future, especially if they get bigger. But in my opinion defederation should be treated as the "nuclear option" for an instance of our size, and a handful of bigots aren't enough for me to want to push the Big Red Button unless they start trouble for us.

Aye.

At best it's clickbait trash. At worst it's the garbage OP highlighted.

Aye

Nay. You're gonna encounter these people IRL. It's better to prepare yourself in a low stake environment like an internet forum.

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye.

Cut off the diseased branch to save the rest of the tree.

Nay. Bc even though it is bad, it doesn't seem necessary. As long as their users don't break the rules over here anyway

Nay

Block them yourself. Defederation is against the principles of the fediverde. If you are looking for an instance that is more isolated, look into Beehaw.org.

Aye for both the primary content and for the obvious dog whistling going on to defend it.