Freedom of thought is the most fundamental freedom of all that makes all other freedoms possible. Without it we are nothing more than slaves to those who control the information we are allowed to have. ~Ghost
(Opinion)
In today's digital age, fact-checking can limit our ability to think freely, despite being seen as a way to combat misinformation. While claiming to uphold credibility, fact-checking may manipulate by diverting attention from the truth and exposing individuals to unwanted content.
Trying to convince someone by forcing unsolicited information to sway them away from established facts is essentially deceiving them and manipulating their understanding, right? If we want specific information, we'll ask for it, won't we? Imposing information, usually with consequences, amounts to censorship and is unethical as it restricts our freedom of thought. Do you understand this?
Inquiries into verifying facts and managing the balance between truth and individual autonomy should prioritize allowing people to form their own opinions without influencing them towards different beliefs. Engaging in practices that sway opinions or perpetuate biases through fact-checking can lead to oppressive censorship and propaganda in the digital era.
It is crucial to always remember this key point: Individuals who speak the truth do not require a group of "fact-checking" enforcers to intimidate and coerce others into accepting their words. This behavior is characteristic of dishonest individuals, as the truth is self-evident, do you fully understand this?
The notion of free thought in Western Civilization is a cornerstone principle rooted in John Milton's insights. In his work Areopagitica (1644) linked below, Milton eloquently defended free thought and warned against censorship, influencing debates on freedom of speech and individual liberties.
A "fact-check" at its core is censorship. While aiming to verify information and combat misinformation, it results in controlling the narrative and limiting audience interpretation without consent.
While fact-checking may appear as a less overt form of censorship, it remains a form of censorship none the less by bringing unwanted external assessments and validations into the domain of sharing information. By determining what is considered accurate or inaccurate, fact-checking efforts will inevitably influence public perception and limit the variety of viewpoints that can be expressed. As history has shown, this can significantly impact individuals' independence to analyze information critically and make educated choices using a broad array of information outlets.
Their response is to suggest that we can look for information elsewhere, but this is just a way to divert attention from the fact that we are being imposed with this information, which is the real issue. This also highlights how fact-checking is indeed a form of censorship. History shows that censorship has never resulted in positive outcomes, a fact that can be confirmed through some basic research. Maybe one should try that, I mean what have you got to lose except living a lie?
Moreover, the involuntary nature of fact-checking interventions is a very clear challenge to the principles of free thought and expression. When individuals are subjected to additional information without their explicit consent, it raises questions about the boundaries between fact verification and the manipulation of discourse. In this context, the line between ensuring accuracy and imposing a particular narrative becomes blurred, highlighting the dangers inherent in the practice of fact-checking in today's information landscape.
The most important thing we must always remember is that the intent behind fact-checking or anything else for that matter is irrelevant as to its effect. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." ~ St Francis de Sales in Correspondence: Lettres d’Amitié Spirituelle (written in 1640 and printed in 1980)
No matter how good the intent may be, if the effect is evil then the intent matters nothing, wouldn't you agree? Unless of course evil is your goal.
Throughout history, censorship has been wielded as a potent tool by authoritarian regimes to control narratives and suppress dissent. From the burning of books in ancient civilizations to the modern-day internet censorship the trend is clear - censorship thrives in environments where authority seeks to dictate what individuals can know, think, or express. This suppression of free speech not only violates basic human rights but also perpetuates a narrative of control and manipulation.
Their other out is "Well, you agreed to this by using our product." Not allowing someone to use your product for the sole reason that they will not willingly agree to be censored, manipulated, and punished for believing the wrong thing is not an agreement, it is simply another form of tyranny disguised as an agreement buried within a 100 page word salad that no one reads anyway because they are incapable of understanding what it really says because of how it is written.
Come one people, please unpack that common sense wherever you hid it at and let it start doing its job again, PLEASE!
As George Orwell famously wrote in his dystopian novel 1984, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.” Orwell's cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing any form of censorship to infiltrate society, as it erodes the very fabric of freedom and individuality.
Without freedom of thought there can exist no freedoms at all. Fact-checks as with all forms of censorship take that fundamental freedom away from us by their very existence.
Finally, applying fact-checks without consent or request will inevitably manipulate content, guiding readers towards a predetermined viewpoint and stifling critical thinking and engagement. This covert form of censorship undermines democratic principles, promoting a homogenized narrative controlled by external entities.
In light of historical precedents and philosophical insights, it becomes imperative to safeguard the right to uncensored information and unrestricted thought. Upholding these principles not only preserves individual liberty but also fosters a society where diverse opinions and viewpoints can coexist harmoniously, free from the taint of authoritarian control.
For instance, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution does not aim to safeguard popular opinion, but rather to protect unpopular opinions. In order to prevent the rise of tyranny, where the majority dictates what is true and acceptable, this safeguarding is crucial. Communism, socialism, and fascism are all political ideologies that engage in this kind of control. The importance of critical thinking and reflecting on who might engage in this type of behavior cannot be overstated. Because it is pure common sense, this is a fundamental principle everyone should understand. Tyrants are the only ones who use tyrant tactics and methods, do you understand this?
In conclusion, the hide and seek dance between fact-checks and outright censorship reveals an obvious interplay of power dynamics and information control. By understanding the implications of unwanted information imposition on free thought, we can bring back a society where the pursuit of truth remains unencumbered by external influences.
So, remember, the next time you encounter a so-called fact-check, question not just the information presented but also the underlying motives and implications of such interventions. In a world thirsting for independent thought and unrestricted expression, the responsibility lies with each of us to defend the sanctity of free speech and reject the insidious shadows of censorship in all of its many forms. If we don't, no one else will. But first, you need to learn what they are so that you can recognize them for what they are. You do that by listening to people who know more than you do either by speech or reading their written word.
In the age of information ignorance is a choice people, this is a fact. Maybe it is time that you should start making a different one. The more you know the harder you become to manipulate and that is also a fact guys, it is all in your hands, your choice, your decision because the only thing that keeps us where we are is ourselves. Stay ignorant and stupid or learn and grow, we all must make that choice, nobody else can make it for us.
There is that pattern again.
Something to think about, until next time. ~Ghost
The Weeds- Areopagitica : Milton, John, 1608-1674 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
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