Re:Richard M. Stallman resigns
by balaksakrionon on Wednesday September 18, 2019 @11:13AM
(#21006233)
I agree our understanding of the social nuances of the internet is in infancy; though the human tendency to enact mob "justice" is relatively better understood. The internet has enabled that ugly tendency of humanity to a scary degree. Especially coupled with the strong profit motive of sites like Vice and other so called media outlets, which stand to benefit greatly from whipping up such smear campaigns.
You call your solution self-censorship, but I just kinda think it's general common sense: why do you feel the need to broadcast your views to a large, unknown audience on controversial subjects where misunderstandings cause a lot of trouble for you? There are plenty of other real-world places to discuss things that don't carry that risk, and likely some more-private places on the internet where you can join an actual community of people who will get to know you over time and understand what you say in context.
Put another way: most people wouldn't randomly walk up to a group of 10 strangers on the street and immediately bring up a controversial topic. Why do we think that's a good move on the internet?
I think we're starting to see the social limits of instant around-the-world communication. It just doesn't work as well as we want it to. The internet is still ridiculously new to the world, and our understanding of its social nuances is still in its infancy.