September 24, 2013

It’s not just what we say, but also what we mean

JanetLetters of Opinioncommunity ethics / copyright infringement / plagiarism40 Comments

I know; I know. You’re as burned out as I am on all the community drama of late. And here I promised a post on the marketplace of ideas, when instead I’m writing one on plagiarism. But because we are a community based so strongly in words and in the ... more >

September 10, 2013

Let’s Talk About Free Speech and the Internet (again)

JanetLetters of Opinionbook reviewing / community ethics / First-Amendment / Free Speech29 Comments

[T]he fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker’s opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it constitutional protection. [p56] For it is a central tenet of the First Amendment that the government ... more >