What to do about the incredible rise in internet censorship.

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Off Topic > Topic Details

Kodyd194 29 Jul @ 1:37am

I feel like we are witnessing a meteoric rise in internet censorship, both in the sophistication and effectiveness of the methods used, as well as in the breadth of content being restricted. Everything from simple ad blocking to adult videos and images, and now more and more games are being targeted or just caught in an ever expanding net of censorship.

I don’t have any specific problems to call out in this post, I’m just worried for the future of the digital landscape. every day it seems like more of the internet is becoming inaccessible to more and more of people worldwide. Given how quickly these restrictions are being rolled out, what do you think the average person can realistically do to make a meaningful impact in a reasonable amount of time?

< >

Showing 1-15 of 74 comments

Jackie Daytona 29 Jul @ 1:41am

Originally posted by Kodyd194:
I feel like we are witnessing a meteoric rise in internet censorship,

Welcome to 2014?

That was the starting point. That's when things went from "discretion" to "silence everyone that doesn't agree with me".

temps 29 Jul @ 1:43am

Originally posted by Jackie Daytona:
Originally posted by Kodyd194:
I feel like we are witnessing a meteoric rise in internet censorship,
Welcome to 2014?

That was the starting point. That's when things went from "discretion" to "silence everyone that doesn't agree with me".

I think 2016 was when it really started. Primarily because the left, which used to support free speech, noticed that free speech might mean the public decides to elect someone the left considers racist (Trump).

And the left decided censorship was needed to stop people from hearing ideas that might lead them to vote the "wrong" way.

In other words, the left's censorship campaign is motivated by anti-democratic impulses.

Last edited by temps; 29 Jul @ 1:44am

Netaris 29 Jul @ 1:44am

You need to decentralise everything as much as possible, make it impossible to control, even by states. We now have the tools to do exactly that. As companies can be pressured to abide to our control freaks wishes, we have to build things that aren't linked to any company or organisation.

Kodyd194 29 Jul @ 1:49am

This post was mostly inspired by the recent game takedowns from Itchio and Steam, coupled with the new child safety bill in the UK requiring all the identity verification for so many digital services.

Electric Cupcake 29 Jul @ 1:50am

Trump and the fascists (aka. the Gross Old Perverts party) emboldened the christofascists.

Literally all they have is censorship, deflection and accusing everyone else of everything they are.

Last edited by Electric Cupcake; 29 Jul @ 2:09am

King of Games 29 Jul @ 1:53am

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:
Trump and the fascists (aka. the Gross Old Perverts party) emboldened the christofascists.

cant forget the dems like Slick Willy and other child diddlers 😆

Uncle Sam 29 Jul @ 2:01am

Originally posted by Kodyd194:
I feel like we are witnessing a meteoric rise in internet censorship, both in the sophistication and effectiveness of the methods used, as well as in the breadth of content being restricted. Everything from simple ad blocking to adult videos and images, and now more and more games are being targeted or just caught in an ever expanding net of censorship.

I don’t have any specific problems to call out in this post, I’m just worried for the future of the digital landscape. every day it seems like more of the internet is becoming inaccessible to more and more of people worldwide. Given how quickly these restrictions are being rolled out, what do you think the average person can realistically do to make a meaningful impact in a reasonable amount of time?

Well either protest and call your elected officials, or go full "old school" / analog / offline or learn the songs your local gpvt or corporation version of Kim Jong Un 2.0 will make you sing. Good luck y'all

Jackie Daytona 29 Jul @ 2:02am

Originally posted by temps:
Originally posted by Jackie Daytona:
Welcome to 2014?

That was the starting point. That's when things went from "discretion" to "silence everyone that doesn't agree with me".

I think 2016 was when it really started. Primarily because the left, which used to support free speech, noticed that free speech might mean the public decides to elect someone the left considers racist (Trump).

And the left decided censorship was needed to stop people from hearing ideas that might lead them to vote the "wrong" way.

In other words, the left's censorship campaign is motivated by anti-democratic impulses.

It's definitely "anti-democratic impulses", but... 2014 was a notable turning point.

Why? Gamergate.

Leftist went to WAR with everyone even remotely associated. Doxxing, trying to get them fired, putting them on secret "block lists", and endlessly harassing them. (And urging anyone they talked to block them.)

Someone else got involved in this. Guess who? Trump.

THAT is where the censorship went into overdrive.

Dom 29 Jul @ 2:03am

Originally posted by temps:
Originally posted by Jackie Daytona:
Welcome to 2014?

That was the starting point. That's when things went from "discretion" to "silence everyone that doesn't agree with me".

I think 2016 was when it really started. Primarily because the left, which used to support free speech, noticed that free speech might mean the public decides to elect someone the left considers racist (Trump).

And the left decided censorship was needed to stop people from hearing ideas that might lead them to vote the "wrong" way.

In other words, the left's censorship campaign is motivated by anti-democratic impulses.

This could be a convincing talking point if someone ignores content restriction laws (age verification laws to access content) enacted in various red states and the fact that Collective Shout is founded by a religious conservative anti-abortion fundamentalist.

Other than that, yeah sure... go on.

Last edited by Dom; 29 Jul @ 2:03am

Moogal 29 Jul @ 2:04am

Censoring trolls and idiots isnt really censorship

#10

Jackie Daytona 29 Jul @ 2:12am

Originally posted by Dom:
This could be a convincing talking point if someone ignores content restriction laws (age verification laws to access content) enacted in various red states and the fact that Collective Shout is founded by a religious conservative anti-abortion fundamentalist.

Other than that, yeah sure... go on.

Thinking that the left isn't pro-censorship? That's beyond the pale.

It's like Rush said for decades, "These people do these things because they don't want to compete in the marketplace of ideas."

I didn't believe it. For many years. Eventually? I realized he was right.

The goal of leftists isn't to "get along with everybody". It's to shut down anyone that opposes them.

#11

Apollo702 29 Jul @ 2:15am

Nonsense.

In every case when people whine about this THEY are the problem and deserved to get sent packing.

Improve your dreadful attitude and performance and the problem will go away.

#12

Dom 29 Jul @ 2:16am

Originally posted by Jackie Daytona:
Originally posted by Dom:
This could be a convincing talking point if someone ignores content restriction laws (age verification laws to access content) enacted in various red states and the fact that Collective Shout is founded by a religious conservative anti-abortion fundamentalist.

Other than that, yeah sure... go on.
Thinking that the left isn't pro-censorship? That's beyond the pale.

It's like Rush said for decades, "These people do these things because they don't want to compete in the marketplace of ideas."

I didn't believe it. For many years. Eventually? I realized he was right.

The goal of leftists isn't to "get along with everybody". It's to shut down anyone that opposes them.

Based on everything going on as of today it's not any more pro-censorship than the other side. And you'd have to put hands in front of your eyes to not see yourself.

Most of these recent pushes for restricting the internet access (ID laws to access adult content, Collective Shout) spark from puritan views that are inherently tied more to the conservative set of values. Not progressive.

If you acknowledge that much, making this a 'right vs left' issue is counter-productive.

Last edited by Dom; 29 Jul @ 2:16am

#13

Kodyd194 29 Jul @ 2:16am

Theres a circle jerk brewing when the focus was really supposed to be about ideas and suggestions for a collective solution for the rapid loss and restriction of games and media we are seeing

Originally posted by Kodyd194:
Given how quickly these restrictions are being rolled out, what do you think the average person can realistically do to make a meaningful impact in a reasonable amount of time?

#14

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆Prinny☆ 29 Jul @ 2:16am

It's kinda hard to sit there and rail on one side's censorship when you're in another thread talking about how all the anime games on Steam gotta go because they give you the ickies.

#15

< >

Showing 1-15 of 74 comments

Per page: 1530 50

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Off Topic > Topic Details

Date Posted: 29 Jul @ 1:37am

Posts: 74

Start a New Discussion