Some Brave Apollo

If Reason isn’t careful, it’s going to get done for false and misleading labeling.

New ‘Trust and Safety Council’ Is Twitter Version of 1984’s Ministry of Truth
Twitter says it wants to strike a balance between free speech and harassment. It didn’t.

And that, mesdames et messieurs is just headline. But at least the breathless spurt of words sort of prepares you for the lede.

In order for users to feel confident expressing themselves “freely and safely,” Twitter is debuting a new advisory group dubbed the “Trust & Safety Council.” But a quick glance at its membership roster suggests the council is almost as Orwellian as it sounds—and overwhelmingly biased in favor of speech suppression.

At this point I had a hunch that Mr. Soave was a whiny twerp and what sounds Orwellian to him is the idea of people being flicked on the ear if they use Twitter to harass, stalk and bully other human beings.

Then I read the nut graf and my theory was confirmed.

If you thought Milo Yiannopoulos losing his blue checkmark was the opening salvo in the next great culture war (I tended to agree with Popehat’s Ken White that the controversy was overblown), then this might be your virtual invasion of Poland.

Also, you are total fuckwit and should not be allowed to handle anything sharper than a baby crayon. But what exactly has Mr. Soave seeing Big Brother Nazi, or Big Nazi Brother, or DoubleHeaded Hitlers behind every bush?

In fact, despite the press release’s claim that the council includes a “diversity of voices,” virtually none of the council members are properly classified as free speech organizations. (Full list here).

VIRTUALLY NONE! That’s ZERO! With some numbers added!

And then … You’re smart people, I’m sure you can spot the tell in the next paragraph.

Some of the groups—such as Hollaback! and the Dangerous Speech Project—don’t think harassment should be criminalized outright. But the vast majority are certainly more concerned about allowing too much speech rather than too little. Notable members include Feminist Frequency—the blog and Youtube channel of anti-Gamer Gate activist Anita Sarkeesian—the Anti-Defamation League, and a host of suicide-and-domestic-violence prevention groups.

Schmuck.

Credit or opprobrium where due – Thus Blogged Anderson for this Tweet.

1, no one at Reason has read "1984"; 2, the Ministry of Truth wasn't "advisory"; 3, Twitter can't "criminalize" hate https://t.co/djs1PNsgbI

— ThusTweetedAnderson (@ThusBloggedA) February 9, 2016