Most Americans say the U.S. government and technology companies should each take steps to restrict false information and extremely violent content online.

65% of Americans support tech companies moderating false information online and 55% support the U.S. government taking these steps. These shares have increased since 2018. Americans are even more supportive of tech companies (71%) and the U.S. government (60%) restricting extremely violent content online.

    •  Hot Saucerman   ( @dingus@lemmy.ml ) 
      5•11 months ago

      That literally goes for anything. All systems are subject to risk of abuse. No system is perfect. It’s not as nihilistic as saying “why even have society at all if it’s not perfect?” but it’s approaching that.

      Here’s a film that might benefit you. This is an Encyclopedia Britannica film short from 1946 about despotism.

      Well, for one thing, avoid the comfortable idea that the mere form of government can of itself safeguard a nation against despotism. Germany under President Hindenburg was a republic. And yet in this republic, an aggressive despotism took root and flourished under Adolf Hitler.

      When a competent observer looks for signs of despotism in a community, he looks beyond fine words and noble phrases.

      The thrust of the film is, obviously, that despotism can happen anywhere, to any kind of government system or any kind of economic system. You’re no safer by saying “restrictions mean we can be restricted!”