Wouldn’t it be hilarious if less censorship from sites like these actually caused more harmony

submitted by PencilPusher55 from (self.whatever)

This is not a Placation. I really don’t care what most people think of my opinions, but This was something I had on my mind.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if less censorship actually contributed toward better relations all over. Most of the views here are controversial. Some of them are downright retarded, others are plain nasty. With that being said, I actually see less contention in the comments than I do on a website like reddit that is replete with censoring “bigoted viewpoints“.

With the constant attempts to push narratives, convince voters to go for their candidate, and put forth other tactics used - it’s almost as though we don’t even remember what it feels like to have real discussions. Real uncensored debates and conversations. The things we read are mostly inorganic or swayed heavily in one direction or another.

I suppose I’m just optimistic that the rawness of platforms like these could lead to way better relations and understandings for people who previously wouldn’t have even thought of talking to one another.

Anyway, what do you think?

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[–][deleted] 14 insightful - 2 fun14 insightful - 1 fun15 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Over the years online I have come to believe a large percentage of the population are emotionally stunted children trapped in adult bodies. These sorts of people are incapable of having civil disagreements, or expending any sort of effort or thought to defend their own beliefs. This is because they don't actually have any of their own beliefs. Everything within them was spoon fed to them by external sources. The right has taken to calling them NPC's, but right leaning NPC's exist as well.

This site by design frowns upon someone that just says, "I can't even! Thought-criminal, ban them!"... So, it will only ever be niche, but the niche will enjoy it.

[–]PencilPusher55[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It’s unfortunate you think that way, but you’re probably right. In today’s day and age it’s perfectly acceptable to plug your ears while screaming at the top of your lungs to drown out any opinion that you don’t like.

[–]quipu 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Humanity has always been that way, but most of them only recently discovered internet fora. It's sad.

[–]apoliticalinactivist 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

100% sure it will.

By not censoring, people are forced to actually think about what they say and think a bit more. We would be left with people who are actually believe in something and know why they do, instead of the all the mindless screeching we are all too accustomed to.

I'm an egalitarian and end up in the middle on most issues, so I like hearing informed liberals and conservatives have a debate instead of the slew of "orange man bad" and "damn communists!" blindly thrown back and forth. Liberals and libertarians fundamentally have the same beliefs, just a simple difference in conclusions, so compromise is definitely possible; it's what society is built on.

[–]Wrang1er 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Downvoting can be our own sort of moderation.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I personally believe that openness to differing opinions and consistently arguing in good faith is essential for growth of individuals and groups. It provides the most solid chance of cooperation or mutual understanding within groups which might otherwise have severe differences to the point of conflict. Censorship and bad faith arguments polarize people into holding more radical ideas than they otherwise would. No one can argue against the success of censorship and propaganda though, the only reason we have so much of it is because it works a little too well at containing thought crimes.

[–]Captzapheart 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

All depends how mature and accepting we all want to be.

[–]Wrang1er 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Voat would like to speak with you.

[–]horatioherbert 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Sadly the era of Enlightenment has come and gone

[–]Trajan 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Although people will still self-segregate, being exposed to dissent will help. Censorship definitely hastens polarisation through denying access to dissenting viewpoints thus giving a person the impression that their view is the norm. That's a dangerous path given how we already tend to believe the opinions we hold are more popular than they actually are. We need to see dissenting viewpoints.