IPs will be logged and anonymous commenting has been turned off. This is my face, get used to it.

[amireal]

There is a difference between disagreement and slander. There is a difference between anger and hate. There is a difference between dissent and abject ridicule

Comments

[shearebliss]

:hugs: I hope this is still fallout from last week and not something new because, dude, I know it's the silly season before hiatus ends, but really, really, really, I deal with enough whackiness at work these days.

[amireal]

My collective thoughts that have been brewing and specifically in response to the defense of anon memes. Work = ick.

[wetdryvac]

I'm split on this one, mostly from a free speech perspective - I think that anonymity and the ability to say anything that’s not slander should be permitted, but I’m perfectly aware that any useful and good thing like free speech can be used to harm. Likewise anonymity - particularly in cases where slander is taking place and cannot be tracked

[amireal]

But even free speach has societal imposed limits. And while I'm not saying they can't and don't have every right to say whatever they want within those laws. I'm saying that on a moral/ethical level you should be aware of what you're saying. Aware of what you're doing. Aware that you mean to hurt someone.

I'm more upset at the people who feel that anonymous hate things don't do damange or even that they do good. And you're right, they could, if people understood lines and limits. And while they might be hard to define, you and I can both agree that you shouldn't post personal, private information about someone. You and I can both agree that unreasoned attacks are just-- what's the point?

And frankly I find that the anonymity is just a cover to be mean. If you want to hold an honest discussion where you exchange unpleasant ideas but want to be anonymous for that? Sure. The other stuff? Grow a spine.

[wetdryvac]

*nods*

I myself tend to stumble around lines and limits, and have to take extra care not to be a complete ass from time to time. I'd much rather have an open disagreement, even if it gets ugly, where I know who I'm disagreeing with - a face, or at least a profile to balance things against.

In the meantime - absolutely: Hate speech causes harm, even satire can harm - and hiding behind anonymity, when not for reasons of personal privacy and safety, tends to undermine one's position socially. I trust less what I cannot evaluate outside of presentation.

I'm actually not sure if all of that's cowardice, but I do tend to chalk much of it - particularly in the cases where the arguements you've pointed at are used - as self deluding or ignorant.

*looks around*

And crap, thinking about hate speech makes me hungry.

[iibnf]

I don't get, most of all, what they are so afraid of? I've been hate wanked a couple of times by anonymous weirdoes, (hence why I'm flocked myself), but I don't know why they are so afraid. What are they worried about? If I find out someone doesn't like me, am I going to reach through the computer screen and strangle them to death

[lyansidde]

There can be a legitimate time and place for anonymous speech, but using anonymity to spew forth hate and bile is the mark of a true coward, not to mention an unethical and likely immoral person.

Freedom of speech is not absolute, it has quite a few limitations, one of which is "fighting words," and a lot of what I have seen posted definitely constitute this type of speech.

However, even if speech were totally unfettered, good breeding, honor and dignity would require that a person confine their open or anonymous speech within the limits of decency (and by this I do not refer to obscenity), unless they are a totally intellectually and emotionally bankrupt individual.

[amireal]

metafandom. *eep*

Thank you.

I keep thinking of better ways to clarify myself. But how many ways can I say "You can't 'not care' until it's someone you know"?

*deep sigh*