Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Yeah, I’m pretty sure the founders would be cool with that

Ace discusses the government’s funding of a database to monitor “subversive” speech.

Take away quote: “I always know I'm engaging in ‘open debate’ when I feel the hot breath of a government censor on the back of my neck.”

It’s a much-used truism, but it’s still valid: if all of the things being done under the administration reign of Barack Obama were done under a Republican president, we’d be seeing hostile media coverage 24/7. In fact, a GOP president would probably be lucky to escape with mere impeachment ; he might well wind up with Harry Reid leading a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue with his head on a pike.

4 comments:

rinardman said...

The National Science Foundation is financing the creation of a web service that will monitor "suspicious memes" and what it considers "false and misleading ideas,"...

From their website: NSF is an independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting science and engineering through research programs and education projects.

Soon to become: RE-education projects!

bruce said...

I always thought Dawkin's greatest evil was invention of the idea of 'memes'.

For one, that's because it replaces the word ideology. At least with ideology there's the question of who believes it and now much, and why... complex issues. 'Memes' on the other hand are supposedly like viruses (genes?) or something - they presume humans have no free will to accept or reject an idea once it's 'implanted'.

bruce said...

Should say 'how much'.

RebeccaH said...

I imagine the lawyers are going to have a field day with this. Which may be the point.