>>The difference before the Internet is that if I found your idea odious I could punch you in the nose you even if you were "anonymous". And, in return, you were not likely to be attacked by a mob unless you actively did something really horrible.
That is false, you do understand that many seminal works like the Federalist Papers where penned anonymously with attribution only coming by way of historians looking at other known works, the entire purpose of Publius was to ensure people were debating the IDEA's not the people.
You seem to be operating under the false idea that before the internet the only communication was in person verbally.
>I have no way to directly punish you
that is not a problem and you should not be empowered to "punish" anyone for their speech, it is very sad you do not respect the concept of free expression but people like you are the exact reason Anonymous Speech is required. You reject the premise of "I may disagree with you but I will defend your right to say it"
Respecting speech you approve of is easy, respecting speech you find offensive is what requires protection. We have lost that in principle in modern times
>You are unlikely to say something really nasty to my face if I could slap you for it.
if you did, you would and should be jailed for battery. Physical violence is NEVER an acceptable response to speech. This modern "punch a nazi" narratives prevent in the authoritarian left is an affront to the principal of free expression
That is false, you do understand that many seminal works like the Federalist Papers where penned anonymously with attribution only coming by way of historians looking at other known works, the entire purpose of Publius was to ensure people were debating the IDEA's not the people.
You seem to be operating under the false idea that before the internet the only communication was in person verbally.
>I have no way to directly punish you
that is not a problem and you should not be empowered to "punish" anyone for their speech, it is very sad you do not respect the concept of free expression but people like you are the exact reason Anonymous Speech is required. You reject the premise of "I may disagree with you but I will defend your right to say it"
Respecting speech you approve of is easy, respecting speech you find offensive is what requires protection. We have lost that in principle in modern times
>You are unlikely to say something really nasty to my face if I could slap you for it.
if you did, you would and should be jailed for battery. Physical violence is NEVER an acceptable response to speech. This modern "punch a nazi" narratives prevent in the authoritarian left is an affront to the principal of free expression