Reply #396: Why I am disappointed -- some thoughts about filtering

[gandalf]

The obvious success of DU is also a consequence of its being a forum for open discussions where even far fetched ideas can be put forward. Thus, an incredible wealth of information is stored in the DU archives.

Due to the wealth of well-researched and thoughtful posts, DU is a strong forum and can tolerate some "kooky conspiracy crackpots".

DU is a private forum, and everybody can leave if he doesn’t agree with the rules. But that does not mean that the admins should act like dictators or have no responsibility for the users. They depend on the users for contributions – be it a post, be it a financial contribution. The success of DU is a result of the interplay of a well-designed and well-run forum – and the amount and diversity of its users.

Newspapers and scientific journals only publish articles that pass a review process. This filtering process guarantees a minimum level of quality on the one hand. On the other hand some topics will never appear because their publication would hurt certain interests – a scientific project of a reviewer, or the relationship to an important advertiser, or the reputation of the journal or newspaper. In comparison to these publications, a forum like DU has the inestimable value of having no restrictions on the topics that can be published (as long as minimum rules are adhered to, like the law). So, many important things which will never be published in a mainstream newspaper but which are nevertheless important and well-researched were posted on DU.

The recent move of the DU admins to ban threads which discuss other than natural reasons for the tsunami disaster seems arbitrary and tantamount to censorship. Moreover, they set a dangerous precedent. Will in the future other topics be banned? Will a general rule be enforced that forbid the discussion of conspiracy theories (like in Germany, where it is an indictable offense to say that Jews were not murdered in Auschwitz)? Such a rule would eventually kill all discussions related to governmental crimes, because these are always “kooky conspiracy” theories.

I’m only a German guy, and will never vote for your candidate. However (as you can see from my donor star) I valued DU as a place where many interesting open discussions took place. Personally I’m interested in government-related crimes – which is exactly the topic threatened by this recent move. If I may voice my personal opinion (and yes, I know I’m free to leave), I am disappointed by the decision of the admins. I am sad that DU seems to change its character and go mainstream.