Freedom of Speech

[Catlover614]

There is nothing wrong with speaking your mind, regardless of how others feel. We don't all have to agree with everything posted on AC, but we should all respect one another's constitutional rights. For example, I believe in God, but I am not going to argue or spread hate to unbelievers because I am not out to trample on other people's views and opinions. AC is a community of people sharing thoughts with others without the fear of judgement. I believe everyone is entitled to be who they really are...no pretenses here which means speaking bluntly without staff condemning you and stopping threads of people just sharing their thoughts. No harm in diversity...that's what's so cool about the autism spectrum. Sometimes, staff members make snap judgements and that's not fair. As long as no one is cussing at folks and saying hurtful things...let them exercise their right to speech. If I get banned for this, so be it. At least I'll retain my dignity.

 

[Judge]

From time to time this question pops up here, usually from newer members. And I'm always ready to provide this standard response which remains purely my own opinion. There's a difference why this is a more placid community than the world wide web at large. Because it's deliberately intended to be as such. I've accessed online forums since even before the Internet- or even Microsoft Windows. Most of them are tantamount to placing your hand in a blender and flipping the switch. Or entering a gladiatorial event. You want that? You give me the impression you aren't really aware of the hostility and schadenfreude that's out there just a few clicks away.

1. The servers and host reside in the United States, but not all the members. There are any number of members that are not legally subject to American civil rights and civil liberties simply because they don't physically reside here.

2. This is an online social community. In the eyes of domestic legal considerations and precedents, it's essentially a "club". So in the strictest legal sense the host is free to establish their own rules, whether or not they run contrary to American civil rights and civil liberties laws. In terms of American Constitutional law, that IS the law.

3. Conversely in terms of criminal law, both domestically and internationally both the server and host do have certain legal obligations to follow relative to the conduct of members and the staff. Other perceived civil legal obligations are more complex to outline in comparison. But controlling what is posted is in fact within our host's care, custody and control.

Keeping a lid on more controversial subjects and enforcing a code of conduct is what keeps the peace here compared to the rest of the world wide web at large. Take it away and this would become just another "online slaughterhouse". Where the meekest of members would be driven away in a heartbeat. In a nutshell, that's not what this place is about. Sure we're going to have lively discussions at times, but that is not intended to supersede trying to help and support autistic people and maintain a sense of community in the process.

To understand that this place is not only a community, but also a haven of sorts. An online refuge from an often hostile world that doesn't understand us. Surely you don't want to subtract from that equation, or simply make it all go away. Right?

 

[Catlover614]

From time to time this question pops up here, usually from newer members. And I'm always ready to provide this standard response which remains purely my own opinion. There's a difference why this is a more placid community than the world wide web at large. Because it's deliberately intended to be as such. I've accessed online forums since even before the Internet- or even Microsoft Windows. Most of them are tantamount to placing your hand in a blender and flipping the switch. Or entering a gladiatorial event. You want that? You give me the impression you aren't really aware of the hostility and schadenfreude that's out there just a few clicks away.

1. The servers and host reside in the United States, but not all the members. There are any number of members that are not legally subject to American civil rights and civil liberties simply because they don't physically reside here.

2. This is an online social community. In the eyes of domestic legal considerations and precedents, it's essentially a "club". So in the strictest legal sense the host is free to establish their own rules, whether or not they run contrary to American civil rights and civil liberties laws. In terms of American Constitutional law, that IS the law.

3. Conversely in terms of criminal law, both domestically and internationally both the server and host do have certain legal obligations to follow relative to the conduct of members and the staff. Other perceived civil legal obligations are more complex to outline in comparison. But controlling what is posted is in fact within our host's care, custody and control.

Keeping a lid on more controversial subjects and enforcing a code of conduct is what keeps the peace here compared to the rest of the world wide web at large. Take it away and this would become just another "online slaughterhouse". Where the meekest of members would be driven away in a heartbeat. In a nutshell, that's not what this place is about. Sure we're going to have lively discussions at times, but that is not intended to supersede trying to help and support autistic people and maintain a sense of community in the process.

To understand that this place is not only a community, but also a haven of sorts. An online refuge from an often hostile world that doesn't understand us. Surely you don't want to subtract from that equation, or simply make it all go away. Right?

I understand what you are saying. However, discrimination is just plain hurtful, regardless of what country you are from. At the end of the day, we're still human beings with voices worthy of being heard.

 

[Judge]

I understand what you are saying. However, discrimination is just plain hurtful, regardless of what country you are from. At the end of the day, we're still human beings with voices worthy of being heard.

I honestly don't think you realize just how brutal any completely open forum can actually be. Where the odds are someone kind and sensitive would be driven from such a place in a matter of minutes, hours or days. Not necessarily because of any particular point of view, but simply because they can.

If you're concerned about discrimination, read the terms and conditions of this site. For the most part, I'm apt to believe that the moderators do try to limit discrimination along the most basic and controversial lines. As for unrestricted free speech, it almost always comes with consequences. On or offline.

 

[Catlover614]

I honestly don't think you realize just how brutal any completely open forum can actually be. Where the odds are someone kind and sensitive would be driven from such a place in a matter of minutes, hours or days. Not necessarily because of any particular point of view, but simply because they can.

If you're concerned about discrimination, read the terms and conditions of this site. For the most part, I'm apt to believe that the moderators do try to limit discrimination along the most basic and controversial lines. As for unrestricted free speech, it almost always comes with consequences. On or offline.

I understand brutality firsthand. Imagine having your mouth duck taped and being shoved in a corner where you can't speak up for yourself and having others trample all over you even though you're the one in the right. When a gang of brutes and hostile personalities are against you when all you're trying to do is maintain peace and voice your thoughts on any particular subject, it's totally unfair of any social community to stop that thread. Sometimes honesty isn't pleasant, but still needs to be in place. I'm tired of having to refrain from venting simply because it goes against the rules. It's okay to write sexually explicit details in a community with minors, but it's not okay to express discontent with another member???

 

[Judge]

It's okay to write sexually explicit details in a community with minors, but it's not okay to express discontent with another member???

As far as I've seen, both such scenarios are likely to be censored to some degree in accordance with the terms and conditions.

 

[tree]

Catlover614

"It's okay to write sexually explicit details in a community with minors..."

No, that's not OK.
It is against the forum rules.

That generally gets stopped.
Sometimes deleted.