Free Speech????

[ZeroJunk]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

I find it interesting that you are concerned about the power of capital to influence the narrative. It seems to me that the power of capital in the hands of amoral industrial titans has held sway for years and years. To the extent that economic power is wielded by individuals with some social conscience, that is a step in the right direction. It remains to be seen whether that social conscience also extends to the regular working stiff.

Makes my point. Who decides the social conscience ? What about stock holders who disagree ? There was a reason for the Anti-Trust Act . Facebook and Google are virtual monopolies and likely more far reaching than Standard Oil etc. ever were.

[donquixote99]

Stockholders who disagree can sue. Sometimes they win, if they can make a case that management is not putting the value of the stock first....

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by finnbow

With regard to conservatives bitching about restricting free speech on campuses, one has to unfortunately draw some sort of line for bigoted provocateurs (Coulter, Milo, Richard Spencer) who are there to simply to see if they can incite a negative reaction. All the better if it's violent or reflects poorly on the halls of academia (over 70% of Republicans believe that higher education is bad for the country).

If conservatives chose to send thoughtful people as opposed to these dangerous cretins, I'd be more receptive to their whining. As it is, I think absolutely nobody should show up other than the Alt-Right cretins and let them have their circle-jerk hate fest. The rest of us could laugh at then and pile upon them all the scorn and ridicule they so richly deserve.

It is arguable that the provocations of such folks are the equivalent of yelling "fire" in a crowded theater, but I am skeptical.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by ZeroJunk

Makes my point. Who decides the social conscience ? What about stock holders who disagree ? There was a reason for the Anti-Trust Act . Facebook and Google are virtual monopolies and likely more far reaching than Standard Oil etc. ever were.

What industries are you willing to see regulated by antitrust laws: The oil companies? The airline companies? The cable companies? Banks? The recording inudstry? The insurance industry? The medical industry, including Big Pharma? Agricultural conglomerates?

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by ZeroJunk

As to the OP's question. I have no opinion about college campuses and the historic directions they have taken.

But, when you have Google, Facebook, PayPal, overtly censoring and other publicly traded companies censoring through advertising boycotts you have changed gears.

If it supports your position now, what about when it inevitably doesn't down the road somewhere.

You left out Twitter and how do you get PayPal into the mix?
As I understand, Google and Facebook are people too.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by Rajoo

You left out Twitter and how do you get PayPal into the mix?
As I understand, Google and Facebook are people too.

PayPal has been kicking white supremacists and neo-Nazis to the curb in droves since Charlottesville. I hope other online funding facilitators follow suit.

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by bobabode

PayPal has been kicking white supremacists and neo-Nazis to the curb in droves since Charlottesville. I hope other online funding facilitators follow suit.

Thanks Bob and I read about it. And this makes sense since these hate groups use PayPal to raise money or dues.

[nailer]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Here is a thought provoking article from a Columbia University professor of journalism.

If free speech is only available for acceptable ideas do we have free speech at all? Interested in some diverse thoughts here.

No. However in the context of "as guaranteed by our Constitution" there are a myriad of qualifications many of which conflict. If any of these conflicts can't be resolved/mediated by our laws/courts violence may result.

In academia the answer is clearly no. One reason for professional standards is to keep the environment civil.

[nailer]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

As I have expressed before, the best response to offensive communication is better communication. Unfortunately, the capitalist pigs at the advertising agencies are sickeningly effective. That is why dark money, empowered by Citizens United is so worrisome.

The Capitalists are Big Brother. They own the Democratic and Republican Parties. They own the media. They own the Internet. They own ...

[nailer]

Originally Posted by bobabode

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of what the First Amendment means.
Google, Facebook, PayPal aren't governmental entities and as such are not required to serve as a platform inimical to their business. Ask a lawyer if you don't believe me.

You are indeed correct and in a way these actions can be seen as corporations exercising their right to free speech. As such, their actions can also be seen as restricting others free speech.