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I don't have anything in particular in mind, but dislike the idea of moderation in principle. It's just another word for censorship. My definition of free speech is just that. An individual should be able to say anything, period. This includes threats. I mean, they're just words, right? Nothing happens. You can't have any repercussions from just a thought (yet), and speaking the thought effects no real harm. Yes, I know that hate speech is not OK, but it's really the listener that has the problem, not the speaker. Someone may be greatly offended, someone else may laugh it off, yet it's the same words, so obviously the problem isn't with the words themselves, it's how they're being related to by the listener.
But this is just my perspective. Anyway, do these exist? Just curious (which is the start of all problems probably). I just can't imagine starting out each day thinking I'd better not say this, I'd better not say that. Not that I would, but knowing you could is freedom. It's like constant surveillance. We know that this creates real problems for people when they know their every move is being watched. It changes their thinking and their behavior even when they're not engaged in anything uncivil, illegal, etc.
I am sure if you search, you will find them. There is everything on the Internet.
However you should be aware of the pros and cons. More cons actually - like lots of spam, porn, verbal abuse, hate speech, harassment, trolling and general stupidity, no rules = no guidelines for civilized behavior. Unmoderated forums have the potential to violate US laws. As a result, none last for long.
Free speech, yup! But I am afraid those forums are difficult places to have a meaningful conversation, or find intellectually stimulating content.
Perhaps some totally private forums, or forums for a fee are better.
But, hey - unmoderated forums, they no doubt serve a purpose - even if that purpose is merely to keep the undisciplined rabble out of ours!
I don't have anything in particular in mind, but dislike the idea of moderation in principle. It's just another word for censorship. My definition of free speech is just that. An individual should be able to say anything, period. This includes threats. I mean, they're just words, right? Nothing happens. You can't have any repercussions from just a thought (yet), and speaking the thought effects no real harm. Yes, I know that hate speech is not OK, but it's really the listener that has the problem, not the speaker. Someone may be greatly offended, someone else may laugh it off, yet it's the same words, so obviously the problem isn't with the words themselves, it's how they're being related to by the listener.
Even though the Constitution guarantees the right of free speech, that right is not an absolute one. The law has long recognized specific limitations when it comes to speech, such as prohibitions against slander and libel. Threatening someone else with physical harm is consider criminal. That include verbal and written threats through email, text/voice message, and any use of the internet to threaten "the person of another" and creating fear. ( http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/875.html)
So, no - some words are not just words, and you cannot rant, bully, and threaten others without facing possible consequences.
That site is using forum software called phpBB which is free, hosting it is not. All that site is doing is offering you "free" hosting. They make money by placing ads on your forum, with enough interest you can make money yourself with ads on it.
If you ever have any intention of being serious about owning a forum avoid the free hosting like the plague. In most cases they will either not want to give you the database or charge you an arm and a leg if you ever want to move it to your own host.
Last edited by thecoalman; 01-14-2016 at 05:56 AM..
Newsgroups had unmoderated forums, but they got so full of spam that they were useless. The moderated ones were better.
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