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by cycomanic 449 days ago
I'm not asking what spam is, I'm well aware.

We are in a discussion about free speech absolutism. Somebody who says they are a free speech absolutist who supports spam filtering, needs to either justify why spam is not speech (which is my question, why would it not be speech), or acknowledge that they agree there are limits to free speech.

Or is your argument that if it is commerce it's not free speech? That would allow all commerce to be censored (and we just kick the can down the road, what is commerce).
1 comments
protocolture 449 days ago
No I am taking the view that spam is speech, and should be included in an absolutists agenda.
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acidmath 449 days ago
That's quite the take. My hat goes off to you, ya crazy bastard. <3
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protocolture 449 days ago
The problem with spam isnt the content, its the quantity.

Lots of spam emails are for genuine services. But its generally accepted that because the speech is unwanted and the quanity of it lowers the quality of the platform, that its fine to filter it off.

Free Speech absolutism should incorporate it, but doesnt. (Which sort of indicates its mostly about broadcasting their opinions rather than being in favour of all speech)

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acidmath 449 days ago
> people I do not align with and have fundamental disagreements with with should adopt this absurd viewpoint I am presenting as their own.

*honk honk*

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protocolture 448 days ago
They are welcome to change their moniker to "Free Speech Marginalist" otherwise, if they continue to advertise as absolutist I will continue to insist they live up to it.
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acidmath 448 days ago
Spam is far too obviously not speech is the thing. They will continue to use the moniker "Free Speech absolutist", and ignore you. But keep campaigning as the one lone voice with that, I'll still continue cheering you on while the rest of the world ignores your funny viewpoint that isn't believable for you to actually even have.

I'm a 3/4 black partially Jewish gay man, so you can imagine where I stand on "Free Speech absolutism". While I am for the most part on your "side", I want to stick to arguments that are persuasive.

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