Re: abandoning the rules of discourse
srivasta@datasync.com (Manoj Srivastava) wrote on 24.10.97 in <87k9f2fojd.fsf@tiamat.datasync.com>:
> >>"Kai" == Kai Henningsen <kaih@khms.westfalen.de> writes:
Kai>> So then here's a proposal for a policy:
Kai>> If a list participant (who is otherwise eligible for the list,
Kai>> like being a project member if the list is debian-private)
Kai>> undertakes an action that seriously endangers the existence or
Kai>> use of the list, then as an emergency measure, that individual
Kai>> can be blocked from the list until the matter is resolved.
> With you so far.
Kai>> Such an action might be posting X11 to the list, but not being
Kai>> rude.
> You lost me on the last clause.
Posting X11 obviously is a real problem.
Being rude (all IMHO, of course) obviously isn't a real problem.
Kai>> Yet we still want freedom of the press, don't we?
> Even the freedom of press has limitations put on it. One
> specific limitation is libel (or slander -- I can't keep them
> apart).
And the perceived problems with the press are usually not in that class.
Similar for the mailing lists.
Kai>> I think I accidentally stumbled upon the right word here. You
Kai>> can't have freedom without the freedom to insult.
Kai>> There's always a price you pay for freedom. This is part of the
Kai>> price for free speech.
> Sorry, no. I do not have the freedom to kill. I do not have
> the freedom to punch people on the nose. I do not have freedom for
> assault and battery. I merely wish to extend this to verbal assault
> and battery on the Debian list.
I've never seen stuff on the Debian lists that I would put in that
category.
> By your argument freedom is defined as freedom frm all
> laws. Thus spake Nietze.
Nope. That is not what I said, nor what I meant. What I said is quoted
above: there's always a price to pay.
(Part of) the price for free speech is that you get insults.
(Part of) the price for avoiding insults is that you seriously hurt free
speech.
I've had that happen to me. I've been in situations where I couldn't think
of terms for a reply that weren't either insulting, or else didn't convey
what I wanted to say.
> In everything, price moderation, my friend. Even for
> freedom. Your rights ends where my nose starts.
Your nose isn't hurt by insults.
MfG Kai
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