What, Why & How do we Know ?
Amidst the flurry of social media debate around the Charlie Hebdo massacre, I created this set of three more carefully considered posts: #1 There Is No “Right To Offend” http://dlvr.it/835pwf Freedoms of expression are protected in law, but the nature of expressed content is not objectively defined as “rights” in law. #2 The Court Jester http://dlvr.it/84rSXv Defence … Continue reading “Pulling Charlie Together”
This is the third of three related posts. The first #1 There Is No Right To Offend looked at self-restraint on freedom of offensive expression, and the second #2 The Court Jester concerned the specific cases where expression of offensive humour has satirical intent. These were argued most generally, but were obviously prompted by the Charlie Hebdo massacre and … Continue reading “Islam, We Have A Problem”
Humanist declarations, and UN Human Rights declarations include the double-negative form of words: “No-one has the right not to be offended.” And often in debate, or other free one-way expression of opinion, people express the sentiment “offense is taken not given”, “why should I care if you’re offended” – usually in less polite “fuck you” … Continue reading “There Is No “Right To Offend””
I Wasn’t There – Earlier this year I attended the IAI’s How the Light Gets In festival and The Rationalist Association’s AGM to mention a couple of events, but I didn’t make plans to attend the WHC2014 organised in Oxford this weekend by the BHA. You see, I’ve had a bit of a mixed relationship with the … Continue reading “Reflections on World Humanist Congress #whc2014 @BHAhumanists @NewHumanist @_CFIUK”
Interesting piece tweeted by Medium Picks. Not fully digested. But my view of unmoderated comment threads on every news story or campaigning web page going is that these are always skewed by the cynical who believe that taking the hard line on any topic is the way to get noticed and failing that sarcastic ridicule … Continue reading “About Time for Comments @Medium #CommentCrisis”
Why would I give a flying ferret what an anonymous vegan thinks of Badger culling aimed at cattle husbandry or animal welfare of any kind?!? Limited context to even protest let alone interfere. Less anonymous and disinterested on the other hand, but more partially informed propaganda being spread via @RickGervais, though his opener was a … Continue reading “Interest Matters @BBCR4Today @RickyGervais”
Hi, thanks for responding. First I must assume since you replied to my tweet that you at least saw this post linked in that tweet? https://www.psybertron.org/?p=5492 You will find linked in that post links to other specific relevant posts. (And of course if you were to browse, there are many more on the relevant topics on that blog … Continue reading “Open Letter to BHA”
Hat tip to David Gurteen for the link. [Post Note Update April 2015 see Charlie Hebdo, see Hebdo Twist, see Freedom Regained.] Been thinking about people like Ricky Gervais and Frankie Boyle, and “rights” concerning insult and offence generally. If you are the court jester and your audience recognizes you as such, then being offensive … Continue reading “Well Said”