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Freedom of Expression in Virtual Worlds
PDHoss writes "NYTimes.com has a story on freedom of expression as it applies to virtual communities, specifically 'The Sims Online.' How should issues of free speech, community standards, and censorship be addressed in the virtual world (given that we can barely agree on those issues in meatspace)?" There's also a story in the Independent, and we've mentioned this guy before.
I'm a big fan of meatspace and the rights provided me by my government (or at least the government I attempted to vote for in the last election). However, when I check into a online game, regardless if it is a first person shooter or cooperative environment, I make no illusions that the rules that govern my life will be (or should be) transferred to a place I'm taking a "time out" in.
Maybe I'm a pimp in The Sims Online because that's how I relax. I'm looking forward to the bloodbath if Grand Theft Auto goes massively multiplayer. (Imagine: I was kicked out because I was auctioning off GTA armor piercing bullets on E-Bay! No fair! Restraint of trade!)
particularly once you consider that not only is slashdot privately owned, but it has paying customers to consider as well.
Believe it or not, I was actually hoping to get modded funny for posting a goatse link. Oh well.
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