The Internet vs. the Real World (was "Online Freedom of Speech ...")

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
Date: November 6, 2005 11:57:17 AM EST
To: dave () farber net
Cc: lauren () vortex com
Subject: The Internet vs. the Real World (was "Online Freedom of  
Speech ...")


Dave,

Without delving into details either pro or con on specific issues,
it's worth pointing out the underlying factor that seems to be key
to so many of these very emotional debates regarding the Internet.
Many persons would prefer to see the Internet exist in a sort of
virtual space apart from conventional laws and governments in many
cases, while other parties feel very much the opposite.  A given
entity's positions on this may also vary on a case by case basis.

We see such concerns come into play with:

   - Copyright
   - Internet Governance
   - Campaign Finance Laws
   - Libel, Slander, and Fraud
   - Free Speech and Anonymity
   - Wiretapping, Tracking, and Other Surveillance
   - Privacy

  ... etc.

Depending on the specific topic, various groups ranging from
hardcore free-speech advocates to law enforcement agencies feel
either that physical world laws and rules shouldn't or can't apply in
the same way when dealing with the Internet -- or conversely, that
they must be applied in as similar a manner as possible.  Even
trying to agree on the baselines and definitions for such
comparisons has proven to be problematic.

I don't offer a panacea for this situation, merely the observation
that this sort of "clash between worlds" is in large part responsible
for the sorts of emotional "pushbacks" we see related to so many of
these topics -- reactions that otherwise might seem overwrought,
confusing, or even incomprehensible to many casual observers.

And it's going to get a lot more complex and contentious.
This is only the beginning.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren () pfir org or lauren () vortex com or lauren () eepi org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
  - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, EEPI
  - Electronic Entertainment Policy Initiative - http://www.eepi.org
Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
DayThink: http://daythink.vortex.com

  - - -

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Cliff Bamford <bamford () oz net>
> Date: November 5, 2005 9:24:50 PM EST
> To: 'David Farber' <dave () farber net>
> Subject: RE: Democrats HELP defeat Online Freedom of Speech Act in
> House [fs]
> Reply-To: bamford () oz net

...

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