Disapeering thread and things we can't talk about

Yep, just had an email from the mods telling me why my post had been removed and suggesting I go to other unspecified agencies and that it was removed in case it gave people "ideas".

I think the thing that really gets to people about those in my situation is that they feel helpless, so I have to shut up, they know there's nothing they can say or do to help. Worst of all I said I wish that the assisted dying bill would go further and why is it limited to physical health? Big NO No's there, bad Catwoman.

Should we also not talk about people stealing things or being attacked in case it gives people ideas? Good grief. I thought this was a safe space for discussion.

In some of the ND spaces I've been in before this one people were advised to add trigger warnings about sensitive topics at the top of their post and then be free to discuss what's on their mind. Would this be an option here?

I feel that again as autistics were being infantilised and shepherded away from certain topics because we don't know any better.

Unknown said:

I thought this was a safe space for discussion.

The trouble with that concept + where I have difficulty understanding it, is safe for whom?

Safe for those people who feel a need/want to discuss certain subjects + voice opinions or safe in the sense that topics/opinions are constrained to a great degree, so the risk of being upset/'triggered' is greatly reduced.

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

The ability to at least vent - while it remains - is one good thing.

If your opinions that you vent about are damaging for the site or are hurtful to others then it is within the sites rights to censor you.

It is all about the damage your statements cause that is key - you diss the charity / site then don't be surprised if they exercise their ability to do something about it.

If it was the USA then there would be much more of a chance of a lawsuit so count your blessings we are no there - yet.

Unknown said:

No freedom of speech in the UK?  What would you like to be able to say?

I'm saying there is no law that enshrines our freedom to say what we want.

There is the very vague and wooly Citizens Charter that is about as much use as a chocolate teapot though.

I'm a pragmatist and realise that the controls on our society have evolved to allow those in power to pretty much do as they please and we have little ability to speak freely if such topics could cause them a problem.

It sucks but that is the world we live in.

TheCatWoman said:

Iain are you a free speech absolutist like Elon Musk?

Good lord, please don't mention me in the same breath as that maniac!

I have no expectation of free speech and my experiences with law enforcement have only reinforced the fact they will happily shut you down if what you talk about could stir up any sort of civil unrest. We already live in a culture where our "freedoms" are an illusion.

TheCatWoman said:

Is the situation better or worse than in Brazil?

It is just the same but here the police are much more content to pick you up, beat you up (or in some cases just dissapear you) and dump you with a warning that repeating the transgression will make it a lot worse for you in future.

I had a similar experience in the UK in the smallish town I lived and it seems to be appearing more in social media thanks to smartphones where even where the law enforcers are caught then they are back in business after a weeks or twos paid leave.

We are simply not living in a world where we have freedom of expression any more.

Iain are you a free speech absolutist like Elon Musk? Apart from some of the ridiculous stuff we're not allowed to talk about on here, how do you feel your free speech is being impacted? Is the situation better or worse than in Brazil?

No freedom of speech in the UK?  What would you like to be able to say?

No freedom of speech in the UK?  What would you like to be able to say?

Unknown said:

No freedom of speech in the UK?  What would you like to be able to say?

I'm saying there is no law that enshrines our freedom to say what we want.

There is the very vague and wooly Citizens Charter that is about as much use as a chocolate teapot though.

I'm a pragmatist and realise that the controls on our society have evolved to allow those in power to pretty much do as they please and we have little ability to speak freely if such topics could cause them a problem.

It sucks but that is the world we live in.

TheCatWoman said:

Iain are you a free speech absolutist like Elon Musk?

Good lord, please don't mention me in the same breath as that maniac!

I have no expectation of free speech and my experiences with law enforcement have only reinforced the fact they will happily shut you down if what you talk about could stir up any sort of civil unrest. We already live in a culture where our "freedoms" are an illusion.

TheCatWoman said:

Is the situation better or worse than in Brazil?

It is just the same but here the police are much more content to pick you up, beat you up (or in some cases just dissapear you) and dump you with a warning that repeating the transgression will make it a lot worse for you in future.

I had a similar experience in the UK in the smallish town I lived and it seems to be appearing more in social media thanks to smartphones where even where the law enforcers are caught then they are back in business after a weeks or twos paid leave.

We are simply not living in a world where we have freedom of expression any more.

Iain are you a free speech absolutist like Elon Musk? Apart from some of the ridiculous stuff we're not allowed to talk about on here, how do you feel your free speech is being impacted? Is the situation better or worse than in Brazil?