175 Comments
User's avatar
тна Return to thread
Igor Chudov's avatar

Waiting for the same!!! But realizing that the forces arrayed against free speech are enormous -- do not underestimate the resistance!!!

I also hope that Elon does not have a totally unexpected car accident or his bedside table gun suddenly firing on its own

Expand full comment
Katherine's avatar

Elon is a Player. I think they are beta-testing our consciousness level right now and what drips of information will pass as "Free Speech!?"

Inquiring AI minds would like to know!

Expand full comment
John's avatar

The new EU regulations on free speech are obnoxious and seem to take the continent further away from anything like the 1st. Amendment.

I thought the UK was bad, as we have notoriously oligarch-friendly libel laws, making it easy to shut down criticism. But in some other European countries, libel is still a *crime*. At least here it's only a civil matter.

I think that Norway (not in the EU), Sweden and Denmark will have decent free speech laws. I doubt that many others do.

Expand full comment
Satan's Doorknob's avatar

Your comments match what I've read. Speaking in practical terms, Musk faces many dilemmas. He wants an international product. But as you've noted, there are vastly different standards on what speech is allowable in different nations. To remain acceptable, a social media co. must either censor (pardon me, "moderate content") to suit each individual jurisdiction. More cost-effective to apply a one-size-fits-all muzzle. If I were Musk, I would take a "fuck you" attitude and let other nations try and ban my product or censor communication, forcing them to reveal themselves as the neo-fascist regimes that they really are.

For those not familiar with the issues, consider this example. In the USA it's protected speech to for example, deny that the Jewish Holocaust happened or to make racially offensive comments and such. You will likely get banned, fired from your job and not receive any more invitations to cocktail parties in DC, but it's protected speech by the First Amendment. But if you say those things in many countries you risk fines or even prison terms. Yes really, no kidding.

Expand full comment
John's avatar

I didn't know until recently that many other European countries take a dimmer view of free speech than the UK does. In many of them, libel is a *criminal* offence.

Their legal systems are different ... and inferior, based on what I now know.

Yes, best to use the First Amendment, then leave it to countries to censor further if they dare (Most will).

Expand full comment