I wanted to share this Verge article from a different angle than its main theme of standing against racism, which I totally agree with.
I often fall prey to my own 'bad timing' in pointing things out in front of 'comment mobs' - I fail to 'read the room' - and I get eaten alive. But HN seems to be more open-minded, analytical, and caring of many issues at all times, no matter the moment, compared to other comment communities. So here I am.
The alarming words I want to bring to HN readers' attention is what appears to be now deleted text from the Coca-Cola media statement page, but the Verge still quotes it as the original words:
> “We will take this time to reassess our advertising standards and policies to determine whether revisions are needed internally, and what more we should expect of our social media partners to rid the platforms of hate, violence and inappropriate content. We will let them know we expect greater accountability, action and transparency from them.”
What alarms me, as an advocate for free speech in the age of digital tribalism and censorship, is their original words, "rid the platforms of ... inappropriate content", strong-arming Facebook from a money point of view.
To use such sweeping, broad words from the house of the world's largest brand is a gross attempt to abuse capitalism to stifle free speech and diversity of expression, which IMO needs to be spoken out against.
It may have just been badly worded (far too broad), but it was irresponsible to say such words and it's no wonder that version is not on the website now. Too late - the words are out.
Moments like this of reacting against genuine bad things can result in throwing babies out with the bathwater. Privacy, free speech, freedom of diversity.
I often fall prey to my own 'bad timing' in pointing things out in front of 'comment mobs' - I fail to 'read the room' - and I get eaten alive. But HN seems to be more open-minded, analytical, and caring of many issues at all times, no matter the moment, compared to other comment communities. So here I am.
The alarming words I want to bring to HN readers' attention is what appears to be now deleted text from the Coca-Cola media statement page, but the Verge still quotes it as the original words:
> “We will take this time to reassess our advertising standards and policies to determine whether revisions are needed internally, and what more we should expect of our social media partners to rid the platforms of hate, violence and inappropriate content. We will let them know we expect greater accountability, action and transparency from them.”
What alarms me, as an advocate for free speech in the age of digital tribalism and censorship, is their original words, "rid the platforms of ... inappropriate content", strong-arming Facebook from a money point of view.
To use such sweeping, broad words from the house of the world's largest brand is a gross attempt to abuse capitalism to stifle free speech and diversity of expression, which IMO needs to be spoken out against.
It may have just been badly worded (far too broad), but it was irresponsible to say such words and it's no wonder that version is not on the website now. Too late - the words are out.
Moments like this of reacting against genuine bad things can result in throwing babies out with the bathwater. Privacy, free speech, freedom of diversity.
We must always be watching.