Re: [Bug-gne]Ideologies vs. Practicality in GNE

[Mike Warren]

Bob Dodd <address@hidden> writes:

> I certainly think there's a place for classifiers. They handle
> ideologies, philosophies, and theologies very well. I don't think
> they handle truly objectionable material e.g. material that exploits
> others and/or which is obtained by an abuse of
> power/position/trust. Child porn is in that category, as is how to
> get date rape drugs, and "good" locations for sex tourism.

True child pornography (i.e. that obtained by abusing children) is the
only thing above which fits your list. A story about sex with children
exploits nobody, nor does instructions on how to get ``date rape''
drugs (alcohol?) nor do instructions on ``good'' places for
prostitution.

> I think Tom is well on the way there by saying we hold only
> informative material. I would add that how the material was
> obtained, and its possible use must also be taken into
> consideration.

``Obtainment'': yes. Possible use: absolutely not.

> For the mirror solution to work, we would need to be very sure of
> the laws in the mirror countries in respect of what the mirror may
> know of illegal material in other locations.

It is possible to have the mirrors know nothing about what is on
them...

> > > I think that there are some subjects which shouldn't be
> > > published at all.

> > I disagree.

> I'm sorry Mike, I know you hold very strong views on censorship, and
> it is a fair intellectual position to hold.

As disgusting as child pornography is, it is not a ``subject area''
which shouldn't be hosted: there is much such pornography which in no
way exploits children. Obviously, any people who actually exploit
children should be punished -- and any material which is shown to be
obtained in such a manner should not be hosted by anyone, including
GNE.

How far should this argument go, though? Do accounts of murder
encourage murdering? Do accounts of rape encourage rape? Do stories of
taking drugs encourage drinking? Do pictures of suicides encourage
suicide?

> It's not one that I hold: I have too many reservations regarding how
> material was aquired, [..]

I agree that improperly-obtained material is bad.

> There really is some content (not subjects: content) we should never
> hold.

I agree.

> In fact I would go as far as to forward some submissions directly to
> the police both in the state where the GNE server is located, and to
> the host state where the material originated.

I also agree.

-- 
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