Patrick
Posts: 666 Joined: July 2011
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[quote=clamboy,Dec. 01 2016,14:41][/quote] Quote | I notice you used the word "claims" in talking about what WJM posted. To me, a claim is a statement which the speaker believes reflects reality. WJM did not make claims, he posted dangerous lies. There is no reason to have a skeptical discussion about blatant falsehoods.
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On the contrary, the only way to demonstrate that a statement is false is to apply the tools of skepticism. I don't trust anyone to decide a priori what is acceptable speech and what is not, including myself.
Quote | WJM posted patently and obviously false material, with the intent of inciting anger and hatred against a group of people. That is why I used the term "blood libel." Only this could well be worse, in that many people who spread the blood libel may well have believed it. I'm not sure that WJM even cares if what he posted was true or false.
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He posted links to a conspiracy theory. While only he can speak to his purpose in doing so, it is still simply speech, however offensive some may find it. The solution to bad speech is good speech, not censorship.
I suspect that some of the theists posting on The Skeptical Zone consider criticism of their beliefs to be "patently and obviously false". Just as I would not have them censor me, I would not censor them.
Quote | I think I am right, that WJM's post had no place on TSZ, and it is my opinion that your expressed philosophy of moderation is not in keeping with what TSZ is about. UD is of course rife with censorship, but that does not mean your "just about anything goes" perspective, if it means WJM can post that kind of material as he so chooses, is conducive to the kind of discussion Dr. F. had in mind.
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I'm a free speech absolutist, in the sense that I don't believe any expression should be pre-emptively blocked (although there may be consequences for some content such as slander and libel). No one should have the ability to prevent another from expressing himself or herself. I value fora that share this ethos.
That being said, I also respect the right of people to choose what they read. I'd like to see forum software that enables each participant to curate their own experience, without impacting others.
Lizzie is not as absolutist as I am, but she tends to support freedom of expression far more than some at The Skeptical Zone would like. As long as she continues to do so, I'll be happy to help out however I can there.
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