Backsliding on free expression around the world needs to end

Re:Backsliding on free expression around the world needs to end by mistermann on Thursday September 01, 2022 @01:41PM (#32680104)

> for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols

How this typically works out in the real world is a lot like the pot calling the kettle black though - ideologues and casuals on both sides (yes, I said it!) can be easily observed in massive quantities refusing to address valid points of disagreement, often via clever rhetorical techniques (memes, thought terminating cliches, etc) like JAQing Off, SeaLioning, "bad faith", "irrelevant/word salad/meaningless", etc - if you don't believe me, try searching HN for some of these terms and examine the surrounding context.

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Re:Backsliding on free expression around the world needs to end by amanaplanacanal on Thursday September 01, 2022 @02:42PM (#32681056)

> teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols

I would say that this is the important line to be drawn.

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Re:Backsliding on free expression around the world needs to end by mistermann on Thursday September 01, 2022 @04:39PM (#32682822)

Super important....but I prefer my optimization to be more fine-grained. Yes, this is much more complicated, and prone to conflict, but I think it's better for humanity to develop these skills before developing the means to damage things with extreme efficiency (industrial & IT technologies, etc). So we've screwed that up big time, but if you find yourself in a hole, best stop digging.

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