The Internet is a tool which allows one to circumvent various barriers to "freedom", it is not a source of freedom in and of itself. People used to having various liberties on the net are now waking up to the fact that the society at large is much less democratic. Thit is good. But seeking a technological solution to this problem is futile: it will simply become a technological arms race among government, business, NGOs, and Joe Public. The fundamental problem is a societal one, and has little to do with technology per se. It is much more important to be able to express your opinion freely and openly in front of a crowd on the street than having the ability to anonymously post your views on some web site. "Real" freedom of speech is best, technological tricks to get around limits on freedoms are second-best.
Slashdot Mirror
The Internet is a tool which allows one to circumvent various barriers to "freedom", it is not a source of freedom in and of itself. People used to having various liberties on the net are now waking up to the fact that the society at large is much less democratic. Thit is good. But seeking a technological solution to this problem is futile: it will simply become a technological arms race among government, business, NGOs, and Joe Public. The fundamental problem is a societal one, and has little to do with technology per se. It is much more important to be able to express your opinion freely and openly in front of a crowd on the street than having the ability to anonymously post your views on some web site. "Real" freedom of speech is best, technological tricks to get around limits on freedoms are second-best.