Internet speech harms democracy.

[Writer]

If we cannot learn how to debate effectively online and in person, then we can't govern ourselves.

Democracy can't improve unless we learn how to talk to one another again.

~Writer~

[Zornhau]

1. shut up!

:evilgrin:

you're right though...

[DarkTirade]

2. What if it's effective debate via the internet? :P

[Writer]

3. I've seen little example of it, but if so, then my personal opinion is that there's little harm.

[rug]

4. I've always imagined the Federalist Papers to be akin to eighteenth century message boards.

Complete with pseuodonyms.

"You suck, Publius!"

"Move out of your mother's basement, Cato!"

[Fleshdancer]

5. LINK?

:rofl:

On a more serious note...I honestly believe many people don't know how to debate. I don't think it's as noticeable in the real world because most people are non-confrontational, but in the virtual world, people are more empowered to speak up. It's a double-edged sword because I truly believe having the discussion is most important, but it is easy for your message to get lost if you don't know how to do it effectively. Resorting to straw-man arguments is an obvious example.

on edit: proper grammar is my friend. I think.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. the art of communication, intelligent discourse, proper procedure,

(parlimentary? -- mayhaps?) manners, tact, allowing for a time to process information, patience, tolerance. It all comes into play.

[bridgit]

7. Fair enough I suppose, even if 'internet speech' may be a new oxymoron...

An enlightened society is said to be best for a vibrant Democracy. Though if DU is the microcosm some hope & feel it to be, then the internet has come to destroy by way of it's aloof, cyber compartmentalization i.e. et tu, Internet Speech?

Many, many here come to pooh-pooh the landscape, to berate, belittle in their attempts to dominate, casting others as "certifiable" "psychotic" founded upon none but their predisposition to violent assault & cyber combat, to tout themselves, their personal agendas & their mates they get along with the very-very best (all else can go to hell and they'll allude to as much if only you wait for a time), to ignore (wantonly), to publish what is elsewhere their blog spots & writings they clamor for acceptance via rec's and obfuscation, no, sadly perhaps perhaps not...

We may never need to debate again in a world so filled with go-teed nee-ner nee-ner man/boys, and dread-locked old women/children waiting only long enough for others to pause their inane babel so they will be able to sail off into ample variations of ego & ignorance. Or worse, caring only for their handful out of some 300,000,000 others standing in line

Who needs Naomi Klein when you can search her out on you-tube http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=385

edited fer spell'n :dunce:

[bridgit]

11. internet speech kick

:kick:

[Deja Q]

8. We never did. We always elected representatives to do it for us.

:shrug:

[Joe Fields]

9. The art of conversation has been lost, not just on the internet,

but people don't really talk to each other. Instead, they talk past each other.

[Robeson]

10. So does absolutism.

[SPKrazy]

12. Being able to debate ineffectively online and in person

is not necessarily proof of internet speech harming democracy.

we might just be a nation of poor debaters and whether there was an internet or not we wouldn't be debating issues well at all.

The internet simply shines a light on this fact, and in some instances creates a caricature of life off of the internet where we aren't able to debate effectively anyway.

That's my .02. That the internet is not the cause of poor debate and I'll add communication skills, it has just highlighted that fact, and it may have added to it in some way.

However one would need to show evidence to me of such a statement in your subject line as to tie it to the first line of your post.

As for the second line, agree 100%.

:shrug:

[chknltl]

13. Opening salvo of the war on the internet?

With all it's bumps and bruises and page upon page of delicious porn, the internet is one of the greatest boons for Democracy. Democracy REQUIRES an enlightened electorate. If not here, where else, (besides prog radio), can the electorate turn for enlightenment? We all know that if it were possible, the cons would restrict or even shut down places like the DU. I am fairly confident that our Founding Fathers would approve of the internet. They would encourage online debate regardless of how literate the debaters may be.

[bridgit]

14. don't forget the buffering, buffering is the little recognized respite we all need so much...

:thumbsup:

[benEzra]

15. Real life vs. the Internet...

courtesy of Red vs. Blue...

http://www.gofish.com/player.gfp?gfid=30-1047043

:rofl: