The traditional solution worked for traditional problems.

I suspect most people don’t remember WHY free speech itself is valued. It’s often treated in a talismanic sense.

At least in America, a good part of the value of Free speech comes because it is a fundamental building block to having a vibrant market place of ideas.

Since no one has a monopoly on truth, our best model is to have a fair competitive market place that allows good ideas to thrive, even if they are uncomfortable.

The traditional risk to the free exchange of ideas was government control; the suppression of trade.

However, in the era we live in, we have evolved to find ways to shape the market through market capture. Through overwhelming the average user, instead of controlling speech. Bannon called this “flooding the zone”.

The traditional solution ensured a working and vibrant marketplace for its era. I don’t know what tools we will develop for the modern era.

Do note, we depend on content moderation to keep forums like HN running. The fundamental power of content moderation is censorship. Without the exercise of these censorial powers, we would not be able to have this discussion.