A petulant immaturity seems to beg the question of whether or not "free speech" should cover even the destruction of the medium that provides the persistence of information. I would like to submit the idea that there are certain expectations concerning the medium of the marketplace of ideas which similar to management of the commons. When you go to the park - which is something that everyone may use - if you find the trash of previous park users overrun with ants, flies and maggots - you might think that the previous users had ruined the infrastructure of the park, so that the pleasure of the experience is no longer available to those who come along afterwards.
The infrastructure of the commons is basically policed with modest rules like no littering, no consumption of alcohol, no selling, no naked sunbathing, limits on the loudness of music, and so forth. It is a long-standing tradition that there are limits which are set for the people who want to use the parks for their stated purposes - to gather for family activities, to grill a hot dog, to read, to listen to the leaves blowing in the wind - to play a game of chess with a neighbor - to enjoy the company of friends and relatives while children are free to play games that don't involve throwing food at strangers. The institution of the idea of "the peace" helped to identify and convey the idea that the space is supposed to be for everyone, not for any one individual. In the same way, the medium of the forum - the threads, the available space on the first page... and the "peace" which is preserved for all, so that the forum may be used for its stated purpose - for the free exchange of ideas relating to the topics in the forum, created by the members.. all designed to fit within the definition of "politics" or "religion" or "pets" or whatever... an expansive berth is provided for the discussion of ideas, but by no means does any adult person really believe that "no limits" would provide a better environment for the exchange of ideas, than one that is "moderated." No mature adult, anyway. -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
