Maggie's Farm

In 1 day the discourse went from:

Companies should be allowed to censor content

to:

Companies MUST censor content.
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There is a phrase, usually attributed to Hemingway 'gradually, then suddenly'

There is some mathematics behind it. It describes changes in financial markets. It describes physical events, like a collapse of a building. For a while there is creaking and groaning, maybe the floor looks a little crooked, maybe there are a few more cracks in the plaster. This can go on for weeks, months. Then suddenly, in a couple of seconds, EVERYTHING goes to hell. It happens in social and moral orders. It happens in politics.

Consider the old Soviet Union. Going strong on pure power for decades and through the 80s There were signs of trouble here and there, cracks in the fabric, groaning in the beams, after all thre have always been troubles, but basically it was solid.

Until it wasn't.

The shift was fast and complete. As it fell, it pulled down East Germany and all of Eastern Europe into its own crater.

So, what's my point?

Our country runs on tradition and momentum. The standards, the expectations including politics. Administrations come and go, one side wins, the other grudgingly pushes through, but the central core, the system, the societal structure stays. What happens, however, if one side decides not to play by the rules. Decides that the written government and rules we've lived by for over 200 years are null and void. If the traditions that bind us: belief in freedom, independence, opportunity, rule of law, personal responsibility are 'obsolete' or are even something to be despised. Are we now seeing these very claims being repeated over and over by large numbers of people? Have they lost the grounding?

What happens?

What happens when the foundation is no longer held together by the forces of common belief in the system?

At some point, things happen very fast.

Does anyone else see the 'Tower of Babel' legend in this?

People communicating too much offends the gods.

They have a legal right to decide what voices to allow based on political position.

HOWEVER, if they choose to do so, the are PUBLISHERS, not platforms. And thus have the liability of publishers.

Every website needs to use software--and the licensing always comes with lots of fine print stipulations. For instance a lot (including stuff you're using at home) have a clause about not using it 'to promote illegal activities'. Probably pages of other caveats as well.

Potential for another kind of censorship.