There's always been a suspicion, occasionally backed up by anecdotal evidence, that the social media giants Twitter and Facebook have been skewing the balance of power in public discourse toward the Left, by "shadowbanning", censoring right-leaning posts, and occasionally even banning conservative users for seemingly minor infractions, while taking no action against similar or worse offences from people on the Left.
Lately, it seems they've thrown away all pretence of even-handedness: Twitter, in particular, has been taking down account after account of conservative commentators, even placing a "call to violence" warning on President Trump's pledge to enforce the law on mobs of anarchists and arsonists.
And, on the Facebook side, Project Veritas recently released an exposé of systemic anti-Right bias in Facebook.
On the other side, woke activists are doxxing anyone they can, shaming, boycotting, and getting people fired wherever they can - with no consequences, even for completely fabricated accusations. Forgiveness for past offences is extended only to public figures who now identify with the Left (e.g. Jimmy Kimmel), and the slightest apostasy is a cardinal sin (e.g. JK Rowling).
This has led to many calls from people on the Right to regulate social media, to ensure that their narrative is not censored by unaccountable activists from the Left.
Let me state unequivocally: I am opposed to regulating social media. And I think it is rank hypocrisy from the supposed believers in the free market, suddenly to recant their principles and call for government to get involved in this issue.
Last I checked, Facebook and Twitter were independent corporations, beholden only to the law of the land. They are not public property, and their owners are free to do with them as they see fit. Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg are brilliant people, who built up hugely successful corporations by harnessing the power of the masses. And, so it appears now, they have chosen to weaponize their corporations in this election year, in the cause of unseating Donald Trump.
And it is 100% their right to do so. Try to understand this: a very large percentage of the Left views Trump as Hitler. If you were a German in the 1930's, and you ran a corporation with the power of Twitter or Facebook, wouldn't you see it as your civic and moral duty to turn the full force of your organization to removing Hitler from power?
Now, of course, the people on the Right who disagree with this view of Trump are deeply offended by it, and feel utterly betrayed and used by these corporations. But the fact remains: when you signed up on their platforms, you agreed to operate on their terms. (That was in the small print you didn't bother to read when you checked "I Agree".) And if their terms turn out to include discrimination against conservative views, well, sorry, but that's part of the deal.
And I say to Twitter and Facebook: Well played. You have been beating us conservatives, fair and square, and I salute you as worthy adversaries.
So what is the conservative world to do?
Firstly, dry your tears. Stop being snowflakes complaining about systemic bias, and accept it as fact. Now, adjust your strategies accordingly. If you want a platform to express yourself without fear of cancellation, try Locals or Parler. But these platforms lack the reach (for now) that Twitter and Facebook have. So, if you want to take advantage of these platforms' massive audiences, then play by their rules. Yes, you will be fighting uphill - but that's the lie of the land right now. The enemy has the high ground, and you now have to come up with new tactics to deal with this situation.
It's not my place to offer any specific suggestions of tactics; I'm not a social media strategist; I'm not even American. But your battle is important to me, because America is the greatest bastion of freedom in the world, and I am deeply troubled by the way it appears to be crumbling under an anarchist/Marxist/Alinskyite assault, tacitly supported by a major political party.
God bless you for fighting the good fight, on behalf of the rest of the free world.
Lately, it seems they've thrown away all pretence of even-handedness: Twitter, in particular, has been taking down account after account of conservative commentators, even placing a "call to violence" warning on President Trump's pledge to enforce the law on mobs of anarchists and arsonists.
There will never be an “Autonomous Zone” in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
And, on the Facebook side, Project Veritas recently released an exposé of systemic anti-Right bias in Facebook.
On the other side, woke activists are doxxing anyone they can, shaming, boycotting, and getting people fired wherever they can - with no consequences, even for completely fabricated accusations. Forgiveness for past offences is extended only to public figures who now identify with the Left (e.g. Jimmy Kimmel), and the slightest apostasy is a cardinal sin (e.g. JK Rowling).
This has led to many calls from people on the Right to regulate social media, to ensure that their narrative is not censored by unaccountable activists from the Left.
Let me state unequivocally: I am opposed to regulating social media. And I think it is rank hypocrisy from the supposed believers in the free market, suddenly to recant their principles and call for government to get involved in this issue.
Last I checked, Facebook and Twitter were independent corporations, beholden only to the law of the land. They are not public property, and their owners are free to do with them as they see fit. Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg are brilliant people, who built up hugely successful corporations by harnessing the power of the masses. And, so it appears now, they have chosen to weaponize their corporations in this election year, in the cause of unseating Donald Trump.
And it is 100% their right to do so. Try to understand this: a very large percentage of the Left views Trump as Hitler. If you were a German in the 1930's, and you ran a corporation with the power of Twitter or Facebook, wouldn't you see it as your civic and moral duty to turn the full force of your organization to removing Hitler from power?
Now, of course, the people on the Right who disagree with this view of Trump are deeply offended by it, and feel utterly betrayed and used by these corporations. But the fact remains: when you signed up on their platforms, you agreed to operate on their terms. (That was in the small print you didn't bother to read when you checked "I Agree".) And if their terms turn out to include discrimination against conservative views, well, sorry, but that's part of the deal.
And I say to Twitter and Facebook: Well played. You have been beating us conservatives, fair and square, and I salute you as worthy adversaries.
So what is the conservative world to do?
Firstly, dry your tears. Stop being snowflakes complaining about systemic bias, and accept it as fact. Now, adjust your strategies accordingly. If you want a platform to express yourself without fear of cancellation, try Locals or Parler. But these platforms lack the reach (for now) that Twitter and Facebook have. So, if you want to take advantage of these platforms' massive audiences, then play by their rules. Yes, you will be fighting uphill - but that's the lie of the land right now. The enemy has the high ground, and you now have to come up with new tactics to deal with this situation.
It's not my place to offer any specific suggestions of tactics; I'm not a social media strategist; I'm not even American. But your battle is important to me, because America is the greatest bastion of freedom in the world, and I am deeply troubled by the way it appears to be crumbling under an anarchist/Marxist/Alinskyite assault, tacitly supported by a major political party.
God bless you for fighting the good fight, on behalf of the rest of the free world.
