The Press vs. Facebook

Just an observation, but it seems that there have been a number of stories in the media about Facebook lately, specifically groups that are said to be promoting everything from anorexia to drunk driving. First, I think we need to think about what were saying when we use that word 'promote', because discuss and promote are not synonyms. It is not wrong to simply talk about something, in fact its very healthy.

Also, in most countries it is legal to express an opinion contrary to what the court of popular opinion (and assorted lobby groups) would have you believe. But since we are in the habit of sacrificing free speech for political correctness, I am expecting that Facebook will soon be told, possibly by court order, to take down the offending groups. I certainly wouldn't put it past the raging grannies of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Which, really, shows that people take Facebook far to seriously. I for one find the idea that I can start a group just to see if anyone out there feels the same as I do on an issue is liberating and the best that free speech has to offer. These media stories also don't give the readers much credit to be able to see an opinion out there and decide on it for themselves. No, we need a lobby group, the government, and the courts to tell us what to think. No thanks.


Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net