Irenes (many)Apr 16

okay, look, apparently we need to say this

yes, mandatory identity verification to use a computer is bad. it infringes on fundamental civil liberties.

yes, this current bill would do that. it smartly leaves the details up to the FTC to decide later, which confuses the public conversation because people don't want to believe bad things that they don't read in extremely plain language.

Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 16
this has been our highest professional priority for several years. we apologize to everyone that we couldn't find a way to stop it.
Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 16

there's more to be said but we don't really have the patience to say it, we're just really irritated right now at people who minimize it without having, like, ever thought about it before this month.

we need to work hard on letting go of those feelings and directing our anger at the appropriate targets - legislators, lobbyists, and the forces of hate - before we say more.

Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 16
(also we need to take down our server for planned maintenance, which is bad timing and we hope it doesn't interfere with message propagation :/ it'll be back in a few hours)
Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 17
(okay, it's back up. yay!)
Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 17

it's not going to protect children, for a long list of reasons

it's not going to be easy to subvert

it's the direct equivalent of needing a permit to own a typewriter

Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 17
oh uh, if you're in the US it is helpful to write to your representatives about it btw. it hasn't passed yet. our personal recommendation would be that if they're Democrats you talk about civil liberties and if they're Republicans you talk about free speech.
Show threadJoe Vinegar
@ireneista ... because even if they trusted the whole chain of intelligence of the government, if they'll be in a democracy the government could change in a way they don't like (and be reciprocated), if they turned in a tyranny, even a beloved tyrant's (if ever one exists) chain of intelligence is ever more quick to weaponize information to get rid of internal perceived menaces, in an increasingly paranoid spiral.
Apr 17 at 4:59amWeb
Show threadIrenes (many)Apr 17
@joe_vinegar yes. we must seek to dismantle systems of oppresssion, not to place ourselves at the top of them. or, better yet, avoid creating them to begin with........ sigh. if only