This is a great idea and forum Tom. I popped into your FB space account a couple of times and it's a cesspool of deranged thought, conspiracy theorists and looney bins. Not sure how many are Russian and Chinese bots. Looking forward to what may come.
I entirely support this move Tom, I agree with your statement about the structure and intent of the big social media platforms and I too have moved on. Informed debate (including listening) is essential to a healthy democracy, it appears that those that have grown up on social media have difficulty appreciating it is not reality. I have a suspicion that this issue is spilling over into the personal lives of many whereby because they can present as they wish on social media, and they can choose only to interact with other voices very similar to their own, they struggle to operate in the matrix of complexity that interacting in the real world, in real time with other people with a variety of opinions creates, and thus try to force reality to be more like the online 'pseudo reality'.
Hearing the diversity of opinion from all sides in a debate or commentary is vital if the exchange of opinions is going to be meaningful. To listen only to those who agree with a particular viewpoint can objectively be viewed as a type of censorship. I would argue that it is much better to listen to comments regardless of the language that is used to express them, than to have your constituents suppressing their frustration, anxiety, and anger inwardly as they feel they do not have a platform to voice their feelings.
This does not mean that I condone virulent hatred, threats of violence, slurs against racial groups, etc. I am more than certain that you have the capability of dealing individually with those who exhibit them. Do not close yourself off from those who may ''vent'' inappropriately at times. It is much better to have them be open about their feelings than to have them simmer in silence and perhaps act upon those feelings.
This is a great idea and forum Tom. I popped into your FB space account a couple of times and it's a cesspool of deranged thought, conspiracy theorists and looney bins. Not sure how many are Russian and Chinese bots. Looking forward to what may come.
I entirely support this move Tom, I agree with your statement about the structure and intent of the big social media platforms and I too have moved on. Informed debate (including listening) is essential to a healthy democracy, it appears that those that have grown up on social media have difficulty appreciating it is not reality. I have a suspicion that this issue is spilling over into the personal lives of many whereby because they can present as they wish on social media, and they can choose only to interact with other voices very similar to their own, they struggle to operate in the matrix of complexity that interacting in the real world, in real time with other people with a variety of opinions creates, and thus try to force reality to be more like the online 'pseudo reality'.
Hearing the diversity of opinion from all sides in a debate or commentary is vital if the exchange of opinions is going to be meaningful. To listen only to those who agree with a particular viewpoint can objectively be viewed as a type of censorship. I would argue that it is much better to listen to comments regardless of the language that is used to express them, than to have your constituents suppressing their frustration, anxiety, and anger inwardly as they feel they do not have a platform to voice their feelings.
This does not mean that I condone virulent hatred, threats of violence, slurs against racial groups, etc. I am more than certain that you have the capability of dealing individually with those who exhibit them. Do not close yourself off from those who may ''vent'' inappropriately at times. It is much better to have them be open about their feelings than to have them simmer in silence and perhaps act upon those feelings.
Great Idea Tom. Looking forward to it!