Usenet sta perdendo in pezzi una coincidenza o peggio

[Roberto Deboni DMIsr]

Recent headlines should have anyone that uses the Internet a little
concerned. Not just those who are currently being targeting by
activists, and Tech companies for hate speech, but anyone who has a
belief, a position, or even a stance on an issue someone could find
offensive. The social winds in the U.S. have gone through a number of
dramatic changes throughout the centuries, but the one thing that has
been constant is the protected public discourse for those with opposing
opinions. Sadly, that unfettered belief and support of Free Speech
appears to be a waning trend in the U.S.

In no way are we advocating for the hate speech being spewed, nor would
we ever. However illogical ideas and arguments can only be defeated with
logic, and understanding – not censorship or some mob version of public
banishment. That kind of solution only happens in authoritarian regimes
that do not respect free speech.

For decades the Technology industry has pushed against any legislation
that would make them unquestioning censors on behalf of the government.
We’ve argued with them – side by side – that we are innovators who
create creative space. It is up to law enforcement to determine who has
committed a crime. That was true until Charlottesville, when dozens of
large Technology companies decided to do their part in censoring the
hate spewing perpetrators, along with their sympathizers. Big Tech
showed the world that they are more than capable of conducting their own
anti-thought, censorship campaign. They proved to every halfwit elected
official that we are more than capable of going after anyone they deemed
unruly, or disruptive to one’s harmony, or electorate.

The Internet has thrived since its introduction because it has been a
place where individuals could connect with one another. They've shared
ideas, problems, and solutions, allowing innovation to take its course.
We see now, still a bonanza of ideas coming to fruition because of the
unchecked space that is the Internet. However, that looks like it may be
coming to an end. The origins for using the Internet as a forum for
ideas and to connect like-minded individuals started well over a decade
before in Usenet Newsgroups.

Usenet started in 1980, and is the precursor to the web browsing
Internet we are all familiar with today. It is simply put, a public
space where people can communicate through threads. The most notable
differences between Usenet groups and the modern Internet is there is no
central server, or dedicated administrator. Essentially it has been an
all but forgotten free space of thought that has existed for almost 50
years.

Unfortunately people are clamoring for the end of free space to use as a
place to discuss, diverge, or support ideas in an attempt to silence
their opposition. What they are not considering how this will impact
them when the winds of change flow in another direction. They have made
it difficult, if not dangerous to have an opinion, but a simple and
reliable place to communicate ideas does exist in the form of Usenet
newsgroups. So before you go off hiding from self-deputized activists,
corporate entities, or even government censors, remember that there is
still a place to learn without an invisible hand trying to guide the way.