0 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Let's talk content. AMA.
Steve left Reddit in 2009, meaning his first "term" concluded *six years ago*. Reddit has changed a lot in those six years -- Reddit Gold *didn't even exist yet*. The events of 2012 were under Yishan Wong, at a time of internal turmoil that eventually resulted in Ellen Pao taking the reins. But that's not hugely important...
Here's the fundamental thing: Things change. Especially on the Internet. Once a group gets to a certain size, allowing freedom of expression involves more than simply abstaining from censorship. In fact, you will have to censor those that through their belligerent expression silence others. *That's exactly what Steve is trying to say here.*
Of course, this is always a judgement call. But people acting like *any* censorship is degenerate and hypocritical is dangerous extremism. Gay rights wouldn't have gotten anywhere if the world thought that way.
Comment by almightybob1 at 16/07/2015 at 21:10 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I quoted Steve directly twice in the above post. Both comments were made during his tenure. Here[1] is another in which Steve reiterates that he wants people to be able to make their own subs about anything and run them however they want - "there's room on reddit for everyone".
But that's not hugely important...
Actually it is. The words of the then-CEOs and managers give us an insight into the corporate culture of reddit. And it is very apparent that even during the events of 2012 it was widely believed amongst the reddit body corporate that the site was a place for free speech and free of censorship.
Once a group gets to a certain size, allowing freedom of expression involves more than simply abstaining from censorship. In fact, you will have to censor those that through their belligerent expression silence others.
This sounds like a fantastic excuse to remove criticism - "stop silencing me with your belligerence!".