Censorship

Different cultures and countries have different considerations to freedom of speech. America have their first amendment, in the UK we have the bill of rights, globally there is the declaration of human rights. All of these express the right to freedom of opinion and expression, however, some countries exercise censorship - such as the internet censorship by Thailand, who have very strict rules against pornography and sites that are offensive to their king.

Traditionally censorship is not seen as a positive thing, oppression of knowledge via censorship goes back millennia, it is often considered that the great library of Alexander was burned to prevent the knowledge passing on, as were all pagan texts as they did not fit with the new christian religion, or in fact, any opposing religions - The stories of censorship, whilst different are usually all of a similar theme. In more recent times censorship was extensively carried out in the eastern bloc countries, as a tool of control by Stalin, and used for repressive means in suppressing nationalist activities.

The home of Boonex. Kyrgyzstan, is one such a place that fell under the control of Stalin and experienced this first hand.

It surprised me to find that given the oppressive nature of censorship, posts that I have made, have been edited and censored here on Unity, and particularly in a blog - a place where discourse is the main idea. What is the point of having a conversation if you are simply going to delete all of the answers that you do not like?

I am especially surprised as this has also been done by someone who promotes Unity / freedom / community / etc and is someone who has likely experienced first hand the oppressive nature of censorship and repression in Kyrgyzstan.

Andrew. Clearly my view upsets you to the extent that you feel that the only option is to delete my posts. But consider - that this actually says a lot more about you than it does about me. It also defines that there is a truth in what I say, or you would simply refute it with discourse.

Censorship is for cowards (or communist dictators). You would do well to remember Glasnost and Perestroika?.

My posts were neither rude, not offensive, nor were they particularly sharp in tone. The only thing that they did, was to disagree with you, and impart my opinion, an opinion it seems that many share. Whilst I know and appreciate that it is your right as site owner to do as you please, I find it cowardly and shallow that you should delete the post rather than stand up to it.

Be a man - accept criticism as it comes to you. Your critics are the ones that you should be taking notice of - those who critique your work and software have taken the time to get to know it intimately enough to be able to discern the values associated with it - whether good or bad. Those who simply agree and pat you on the back and say 'good job', are of little value to you whatsoever, except for bolstering the ego.

It is the critics who really set what things are of value - food critics, movie critics, book critics, art, music, drama science and software critics. It is the critics you should start to listen to - and not just the noisy ones like me - go take a look at the points for the posts relating to your latest round of 'ideas'. Still think they are a good idea? If you do, then I think that you have been blinded by your own brilliance.

As I said to Alex in my Blog post - When there is nothing left to criticise - your job is done.

/DM