Twitter.

[V8Ian]

The platform has been acquired by Musk, who claims he will promote free speech and more effectively authenticate users.
I wonder if "free speech" means allowing misinformation and or lies, for political or other nefarious purposes.
Donald Trump has stated he not interested in returning to Twitter.

Remember this is General Chat, not Current Affairs, don't bring politics to the thread.

[loanrangie]

Like its name, twitter is for well - twits.

[grey_ghost]

The platform has been acquired by Musk, who claims he will promote free speech and more effectively authentic users.
I wonder if "free speech" means allowing misinformation and or lies, for political or other nefarious purposes.
Donald Trump has stated he not interested in returning to Twitter.

Remember this is General Chat, not Current Affairs, don't bring politics to the thread.

I have to ask (politely) - why bring it up in General when it is most likely going to cause political responses?

I myself don’t use twitter - don’t have enough hours in the day to use another platform!

[V8Ian]

I have to ask (politely) - why bring it up in General when it is most likely going to cause political responses?

I myself don’t use twitter - don’t have enough hours in the day to use another platform!
It doesn't have to be political. The question is, will it allow misinformation, lies and nefarious posts.
If it's going to be totally uncensored, that will leave open the possibility of personal attack, threats or worse.

[trout1105]

Isn't the very meaning of "Free speech" is the ability to say whatever you want without censorship or retribution?
If people don't like what is being said on twitter nobody has a gun at their head to make them tune into twitter.

We have more that enough "nanny state" restrictions already So if twitter wants to open up to allow free speech then so be it and if some people don't like that idea then don't use the platform, It's as simple as that.

[Saitch]

It doesn't have to be political. The question is, will it allow misinformation, lies and nefarious posts.
If it's going to be totally uncensored, that will leave open the possibility of personal attack, threats or worse.
Well, I hope that a bit of name calling is allowed so as to inure people to some facts of real life. If one doesn't like it, then one should resort to the old 'Sticks and Stones' adage. [smilebigeye]

In my opinion, the perception of personal attack, bullying, threats and in some cases, assault, is very blurred and becoming blurrier.
If today's laws were ever retrospectively introduced, there would be a lot of people in the 50+ age group guilty as charged.
I'm not condoning violence, slander or racist remarks, but people do have to harden up a bit, or the arts of wit, humour, innuendo and the likes, will die out.

Kiddies of today would be terrified of Aunty Jack 'Ripping their bloody arms off', whereas we found it funny. (Not that I was a kiddy at the time)
My sister has a fake cow's hide rug on her floor and a friend of hers visited with their 8 year old.
When the child saw the rug, it started crying, screaming and dry retching.
Now, is that normal behaviour for an 8 year old, or a Pavlov's Dog scenario?

By the way, it's raining and I'm bored!

[trout1105]

I wonder what the reaction of that kid would be if it visited me while I was slaughtering a beast or sheep[bigwhistle]

[Saitch]

I wonder what the reaction of that kid would be if it visited me while I was slaughtering a beast or sheep[bigwhistle]

Hahaha! I forgot to mention that the 8 year old is a vegan. I'm sure she made a mature, informed, rational decision by herself.[bigwhistle]

[loanrangie]

Hahaha! I forgot to mention that the 8 year old is a vegan. I'm sure she made a mature, informed, rational decision by herself.[bigwhistle]

Brain washed by the dead beat parents no doubt.

[trout1105]

Hahaha! I forgot to mention that the 8 year old is a vegan. I'm sure she made a mature, informed, rational decision by herself.[bigwhistle]

Good grief, that is borderline child abuse.

[Saitch]

Good grief, that is borderline child abuse.

My thoughts, exactly!

[trout1105]

Anyway back to twitter.
I have never used this platform myself and I am not that interested in using it in the future But if people want a platform that promotes free speech then let them have I say[thumbsupbig]

[ramblingboy42]

and so free speech.....

I have in the last few days joined facebook aulro which is supposedly moderated , but already very quickly met a couple of keyboard warriors who would not be allowed to post here.....thats free speech and I think I will be leaving the facebook version very soon as a result of their free speech.

this brilliantly moderated forum actually supports free speech more than most would realise.....

[trout1105]

and so free speech.....

I have in the last few days joined facebook aulro which is supposedly moderated , but already very quickly met a couple of keyboard warriors who would not be allowed to post here.....thats free speech and I think I will be leaving the facebook version very soon as a result of their free speech.

this brilliantly moderated forum actually supports free speech more than most would realise.....

Personally I don't use facelick, I can't be bothered with it.
If you are not happy using the Facebook version of this forum then simply walk away [thumbsupbig]

[NavyDiver]

WSJ answer to how twter makes money "Ads account for nearly 90% of Twitter's revenue now, while data licensing provides most of the rest. The company launched Twitter Blue —its first consumer subscription offering—last year, rolling it out to the U.S. market in November."

Not a user myself either. I have too many bad habits already. Pod cast on running, hydrogen and nuclear power and news fills me while hands free and running or driving mostly [thumbsupbig]

I do find money interesting. The Price paid by the musk money people is ( it was not his money) is well under the average price it has been for the last year! 52-wk high 73.34 low was 31.30(USD)

The free speech bit is funny. Mr Musk as been rather quiet on many topics and a lot to loud on others. On another little mater "The firm initially rebuffed Mr Musk's bid, but it will now ask shareholders to vote to approve the deal" That last bit means a majority required.


Musk may find the issues like more not less control is required despite his bravado

"Twitter faces growing pressure from politicians and regulators over the content that appears on its platform. It has drawn critics from left and right over its efforts to mediate misinformation on the platform." from bbc

Not really fussed or interested. Its a bit like so called "influencers" not at all sure they influence me or many of us.

Do you like my new skirt? Its a bit more than $ 1200 and someone said my legs will be amazing in it[biggrin][biggrin][biggrin] and it is a "Raf Simons creation who must be on twiter ? Not a pic of me. My legs are much hairier


https://d3hed5rtv63hp1.cloudfront.net/products-new/653943/large/2000008698603_3.jpg

[trout1105]

I think that I will stick to my shorts and jeans/trackies, Not fussed on donning a frock myself.

[Saitch]

WSJ answer to how twter makes money "Ads account for nearly 90% of Twitter's revenue now, while data licensing provides most of the rest. The company launched Twitter Blue —its first consumer subscription offering—last year, rolling it out to the U.S. market in November."

Not a user myself either. I have too many bad habits already. Pod cast on running, hydrogen and nuclear power and news fills me while hands free and running or driving mostly [thumbsupbig]

I do find money interesting. The Price paid by the musk money people is ( it was not his money) is well under the average price it has been for the last year! 52-wk high 73.34 low was 31.30(USD)

The free speech bit is funny. Mr Musk as been rather quiet on many topics and a lot to loud on others. On another little mater "The firm initially rebuffed Mr Musk's bid, but it will now ask shareholders to vote to approve the deal" That last bit means a majority required.


Musk may find the issues like more not less control is required despite his bravado

"Twitter faces growing pressure from politicians and regulators over the content that appears on its platform. It has drawn critics from left and right over its efforts to mediate misinformation on the platform." from bbc

Not really fussed or interested. Its a bit like so called "influencers" not at all sure they influence me or many of us.

Do you like my new skirt? Its a bit more than $ 1200 and someone said my legs will be amazing in it[biggrin][biggrin][biggrin] and it is a "Raf Simons creation who must be on twiter ? Not a pic of me. My legs are much hairier


https://d3hed5rtv63hp1.cloudfront.net/products-new/653943/large/2000008698603_3.jpg

Luckily, John Holmes isn't with us anymore!

[trout1105]

Luckily, John Holmes isn't with us anymore!

He would need a Much longer frock than that one[bigwhistle]

[Tote]

It would/will be interesting to see the collision between "free speech" and Australian defamation laws.
Twitter is about as interesting as reading the user comments on your chosen online version of Australian Newspaper. Usually uninformed rabble having an argument that neither side will concede an inch on.

Regards,
Tote

[V8Ian]

Isn't the very meaning of "Free speech" is the ability to say whatever you want without censorship or retribution?
If people don't like what is being said on twitter nobody has a gun at their head to make them tune into twitter.

We have more that enough "nanny state" restrictions already So if twitter wants to open up to allow free speech then so be it and if some people don't like that idea then don't use the platform, It's as simple as that.
So if someone decides to mount a campaign, accusing you of being a pedophile, you'd OK with that as it's free speach?
The adage "throw enough mud and some of it will stick" is true and at minimum sows seeds of doubt. Consider the number of people who believe Land Rovers have a propensity for breaking axles. That issue was resolved before many of this forum's members were old enough to drive.
On the surface, freedom of speech seems to be a basic right, but the reality is that can also be a deadly weapon.

[trout1105]

So if someone decides to mount a campaign, accusing you of being a pedophile, you'd OK with that as it's free speach?
The adage "throw enough mud and some of it will stick" is true and at minimum sows seeds of doubt. Consider the number of people who believe Land Rovers have a propensity for breaking axles. That issue was resolved before many of this forum's members were old enough to drive.
On the surface, freedom of speech seems to be a basic right, but the reality is that can also be a deadly weapon.

People can call or accuse me of anything on line it doesn't faze me But if someone called me a pedophile to my face I would most likely have to call them an ambulance [biggrin]

Most people use their common sense and don't make wild accusations in a conversation or a debate, Those that don't do this are usually fringe dwellers and they can be ignored with ease.

Why are you so terrified of free speech?

[V8Ian]

Having concerns about free speech does not lead to being terrified.
Consider; there are two businesses in your community, in direct competition with each other. One business is not prepared to complete on price and service, but wants to be the sole supplier, in order that it may gouge customers. That business starts a campaign of lies to make the other businesses unpopular and unviable.

On this forum name and shame is not allowed, not because freedom of speech is stifled, because of the legal ramifications and costs. The owner of the platform is deemed to be the publisher of any comment on that platform and legally liable for those comments, even if the owner does not agree with said comment. It will be interesting to see how that plays out with the proposed changes coming to Twitter.

[trout1105]

Having concerns about free speech does not lead to being terrified.
Consider; there are two businesses in your community, in direct competition with each other. One business is not prepared to complete on price and service, but wants to be the sole supplier, in order that it may gouge customers. That business starts a campaign of lies to make the other businesses unpopular and unviable.

On this forum name and shame is not allowed, not because freedom of speech is stifled, because of the legal ramifications and costs. The owner of the platform is deemed to be the publisher of any comment on that platform and legally liable for those comments, even if the owner does not agree with said comment. It will be interesting to see how that plays out with the proposed changes coming to Twitter.

Whatever happens on twitter there are still legal ramifications under Australian law that will offer redress for false acusations and statements for those affected by them.[thumbsupbig]

[350RRC]

Like its name, twitter is for well - twits.

And android phones are for androids.

[ChookD2]

I'm not on twitter and have no intention of either. However, I can't help but agree somewhat with Ian. It is mostly the young that have their faces buried in one device or another for a large part of the day. These are the demographic that believe too much of what is presented to them in this manner. They are also the perpetually offended. They will also tell you that they are the future, well, I don't hold a great deal of hope for the future if that's the case.

Which brings us to a subject that raises it's ugly head too often lately, that of teen suicide from social media bullying. How will twitter combat this scourge and still allow "free speech"?

As someone recently said.........and I think it may have been on here...........choosing to be offended by something on social media is like choosing to step in dog ****.

[V8Ian]

Whatever happens on twitter there are still legal ramifications under Australian law that will offer redress for false acusations and statements for those affected by them.[thumbsupbig]
Redress if you can afford justice. If you tried suing any large company, they would bankrupt you, tying you up with legal fees, long before you got into court.

[TimNZ]

If Musk does what he says he wants to, removing bots, verifying people, and making the code opensource (or not secret etc), I might even consider having another look at the app. As for "disinformation" etc, I wouldn't mind the chance to take my own conclusions on issues, rather than have a piece of code do it for me.

Cheers,

[trout1105]

Redress if you can afford justice. If you tried suing any large company, they would bankrupt you, tying you up with legal fees, long before you got into court.

I am pretty certain that somebody like BHP is Not going to target me [biggrin]

[superquag]

Luckily, John Holmes isn't with us anymore!

..... Showing your age... - Again.[bigsad]

[incisor]

It is mostly the young that have their faces buried in one device or another for a large part of the day.

twitter isn't all that popular with the young, they are more likely to be on tictoc, discord and instagram et al

twitter is a funny beast in my experience and yes it can be very frivolous and somewhat dangerous

i use it for news and for leads into info and stories that interest me including history, hobbies and paleontology etc etc while i wait for real world tasks to finish on my daya to day work load

like anything in life, you need to sort the real from the imaginary and i find it easier to pick the trolls and bots from real people on twitter

i used to do some work for a person who was in on a royal commission and they pointed me to some independent news sources that could be relied upon to report based on fact without opinion etc both here and abroad

most are still active thankfully

you get to see many stories build over time, long before the mainstream media have their say on it or not

[Saitch]

Having concerns about free speech does not lead to being terrified.
Consider; there are two businesses in your community, in direct competition with each other. One business is not prepared to complete on price and service, but wants to be the sole supplier, in order that it may gouge customers. That business starts a campaign of lies to make the other businesses unpopular and unviable.

On this forum name and shame is not allowed, not because freedom of speech is stifled, because of the legal ramifications and costs. The owner of the platform is deemed to be the publisher of any comment on that platform and legally liable for those comments, even if the owner does not agree with said comment. It will be interesting to see how that plays out with the proposed changes coming to Twitter.

With all due respect, Ian, I'm having trouble finding an alternative to 'Stifling', here.
'Threatening', perhaps? Are you allowed to threaten someone, even legally, in this day and age?

[AK83]

Just like all announcements by Musk, since about day dot! .. it's a matter of 'waiting ... waiting .. waiting ... waiting .....' [bighmmm]

I just watched Thunderfoots last video ....

Since Musk announced his Twitter intention, Tesla stock has taken a bit of a pounding.

All this nonsense about his intention to allow more freedom, more free speech, less draconian stewardship of the platform ... relative to what baseline.
If he's in charge, and he controls it .. then what's his level of tolerance for misinformation/disinformation/facts!

as an example(one of my fave channels) is Thunderfoot, and is analysis of Musks projects ... if Thunderfoot were to continue to provide content on Musks past present and future projects via Twitter .. you really think they won't be 'moderated' .. and that Musk would simply brush off any negative content directed at himself and his projects.

[trout1105]

Maybe the reasoning behind Musks moves on twitter is aimed at the heavily censored Russian market to allow the people there to have some sort of free speech platform[bigwhistle]

[NavyDiver]

Whatever happens on twitter there are still legal ramifications under Australian law that will offer redress for false acusations and statements for those affected by them.[thumbsupbig]

Yes but only those with huge resource can take the action needed to hold some to account with very deep pockets. The Paparazi drivel and making up crap is funny or offensive? The defamation action by one over clearly fake FB advertising scams is a good example?

The tens of thousands in legal fees and risk your up for 100s of thousands in legal fees mean Free speech is very very expesive and untenable for the vast majority of us if Defamed.

Re Trouts thought of an ambulance required option. (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/290928-twitter-post3146026.html#post3146026)

After almost dying I do hate people trying to kill me again. If I call the police re a tosser clearly breaking law and road rulz on a pedestrian crossing or foot path I waste my time. If I did as I would like to ensure they understood driving very selfishly ingnoring rulz and normal ethics like shaking the **** out of them the Police would respond very quickly for the later and not at all for the former?

Mr Musk now possibly mr free speech Peado guy for a Thai diving hero is a very good example. "Elon Musk wins defamation case over 'pedo guy' tweet about caver (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50695593)"
His view of free speech and mine are in Differing universes[thumbsupbig] Cool bit is right back on topic and defamation example par excellence. ubber Rich and powerful win while normal people lose even if a hero like Mr Vernon Unsworth who is Diver and not a pedo guy I understand!

[trout1105]

I have copped a few flogging in my time and haven't run off snivelling to the coppers about it.
I just put it down too bad I lost the round, Have to do better next time.

I have little regard for people that start trouble and when they come up short and get a fist in the angry button they run off crying to the police, Very un Australian.

[NavyDiver]

People can call or accuse me of anything on line it doesn't faze me But if someone called me a pedophile to my face I would most likely have to call them an ambulance [biggrin]

Most people use their common sense and don't make wild accusations in a conversation or a debate, Those that don't do this are usually fringe dwellers and they can be ignored with ease.

Why are you so terrified of free speech?


I have copped a few flogging in my time and haven't run off snivelling to the coppers about it.
I just put it down too bad I lost the round, Have to do better next time.

I have little regard for people that start trouble and when they come up short and get a fist in the angry button they run off crying to the police, Very un Australian.

Not suggesting you would - If you go to the local police station and listen for an hour or two or know a nice copper who has done some shifts on 000 you would know that "We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are" I always get surprised when some one cuts across three or more lanes from the right lane to turn left as I am sure most of us are :) One this morning and one more 30 minutes ago for me

[jonesfam]

Just an observation,
It would seem that many of those exposing "Free Speech" only do so on the proviso that your "Free Speech" agrees with their "Free Speech".
If not you are a loony fringe dweller.

BTW I don't think we have free speech simply because we are basically polite, try not to harm or upset people.
Hence we are constantly telling little lies & not saying what we really think.
Those that do lack self control, maybe?
Jonesfam

[superquag]

" ...like anything in life, you need to sort the real from the imaginary and i find it easier to pick the trolls and bots from real people on twitter

i used to do some work for a person who was in on a royal commission and they pointed me to some independent news sources that could be relied upon to report based on fact without opinion etc both here and abroad

most are still active thankfully. "

Back in the day, for a few years I was privy to one such 'interesting' news source, "Intelligence Digest".... Today, it would not only be censored but to possess such information would 'encourage' a late night visit from ASIO et al.
...

[NavyDiver]

Just an observation,
It would seem that many of those exposing "Free Speech" only do so on the proviso that your "Free Speech" agrees with their "Free Speech".
If not you are a loony fringe dweller.

BTW I don't think we have free speech simply because we are basically polite, try not to harm or upset people.
Hence we are constantly telling little lies & not saying what we really think.
Those that do lack self control, maybe?
Jonesfam

Nothing wrong with manners and being polite sir.
Saying what I think is fine unless its grossly offensive and nasty perhaps [thumbsupbig]

Good night all[thumbsupbig]

[NavyDiver]

Mr Musk not allowed to teeter[thumbsupbig] "Elon Musk has lost a bid to get out of an agreement made with regulators requiring oversight of his tweets about his car firm Tesla.


The settlement was made after he tweeted he had "funding secured" to potentially take Tesla private despite a deal not being close.


The ruling comes just days after the world's richest person struck a deal to buy Twitter for $44bn (£35bn).


Mr Musk says he wants to make Twitter a bastion of free speech.


The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Mr Musk of misleading investors with the 2018 tweet, which caused Tesla's share price to fluctuate.


Mr Musk's lawyers argued that the SEC's pursuit of him "crossed the line into harassment" and interfered with his right to free speech.



US District Judge Lewis Liman rejected those arguments as well as Mr Musk's request to stop a separate SEC investigation into tweets he posted last year regarding the sale of some of his Tesla stock."

Almost forgot about his twitter ban. His idea of a joke or free speech costing investors million or more where hysterical unless you lost a lot of money perhaps?