Should The Internet Be Censored? | Ella Whelan, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Nigel Inkster

Summary

In this thought-provoking discussion, panelists debate the impact of internet anonymity on human behavior. They explore whether people inherently need oversight to act ethically, drawing parallels to Hobbes' view of human nature. The conversation delves into how the internet's global reach dilutes social control and common goals, potentially fostering online abuse. The panel also addresses the balance between freedom of speech and the need for regulation, cautioning against knee-jerk reactions that could erode democratic values.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Internet's anonymity has led to an increase in abuse, suggesting a need for oversight to ensure good behavior.
• 🧭 The concept of human nature being inherently wicked or good was discussed, with the idea that culture and environment play significant roles in shaping behavior.
• 🌍 The global nature of the Internet has disconnected people from local social controls, potentially leading to increased online abuse.
• 🌱 The idea that a strong internal moral compass can replace the need for external oversight was presented.
• 📈 The Internet has been a test for societal tolerance and the ability to handle freedom of speech over the last 30 years.
• 🚫 There is a concern about the overreaction to Internet abuse leading to increased censorship and loss of freedom.
• 🔑 Social media platforms' business models encourage outrage and fit, which can perpetuate negative behavior online.
• 🌟 The debate highlighted the importance of not letting authoritarian regimes dictate democratic values and freedoms.
• 📝 The necessity for sensible regulation in contrast to censorship was emphasized, drawing a comparison to the print sector's standards.
• 🔄 The discussion underscored the ongoing debate about balancing freedom of speech with the need to prevent harm and abuse online.

Q & A

What is the central debate in the discussion?

The central debate revolves around whether human beings require oversight to behave ethically online, and whether the anonymity of the internet has led to increased abuse and negative behavior.

What does Janos suggest about human nature and the internet?

Janos suggests that human beings are neither inherently good nor bad, but act based on survival and cultural influences. The internet has expanded our social group globally, which can lead to a lack of common purpose and increased online abuse due to the absence of immediate social feedback.

What does Ella Whelan believe the internet has revealed about society?

Ella Whelan believes the internet has revealed a darker side of human nature, but also a tendency to react with censorship and control in response to internet abuse, which she sees as a threat to freedom of speech.

How does Nigel Inkster view the role of social media in promoting negative behavior?

Nigel Inkster sees social media platforms as promoting negative behavior like outrage and fear due to their business model, which relies on keeping users online to collect data for targeted advertising.

What does Yasmin alibi Brown argue about the need for regulation on the internet?

Yasmin alibi Brown argues that censorship should not be confused with sensible regulation. She differentiates between the freedom of speech and the need for responsible publishing practices on the internet.

What is the main concern Nigel Inkster raises about authoritarian regimes?

Nigel Inkster is concerned that authoritarian regimes would like to see democracies clamp down on freedom of speech, and he warns against implementing wide-scale controls that would justify their own actions.

What is the role of social control in smaller communities according to the discussion?

In smaller communities, there is a certain amount of social control and common purpose which helps regulate behavior. However, this is lost in larger, more diverse communities and especially on the internet.

How does the internet's global reach affect human behavior according to Janos?

Janos suggests that the internet's global reach multiplies the diversity of people we interact with, making it easier to act in ways that may be detrimental to others without immediate social consequences.

What does Ella Whelan think about the reaction to internet abuse?

Ella Whelan is critical of the knee-jerk reaction to censor and control the internet in response to abuse, arguing that it reveals a lack of tolerance and an overreaction that threatens freedom.

What is the importance of having a 'human compass' according to the discussion?

Having a 'human compass' refers to an internal sense of right and wrong that can guide behavior even in the absence of external oversight. It is seen as crucial for ethical behavior online.

What is the potential danger of giving up freedom to speak and think freely according to Ella Whelan?

Ella Whelan warns that giving up freedom to speak and think freely to governments and social media giants could lead to a limitation of the content we access and a reduction in our tolerance for diverse opinions.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Impact of Anonymity on Internet Behavior

The panel discussion begins with a focus on the anonymity provided by the internet and its potential to enable abusive behavior. The question posed is whether human beings inherently require oversight to behave ethically, referencing philosopher Thomas Hobbes' view of human nature. The panelists include a diverse group of experts such as Ella Whelan, a political commentator and journalist, Janos, a former conflict adviser for the EU and UN, Nigel Inkster, the former director of operations and intelligence for MI6, and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a respected pundit. The conversation delves into the idea that humans act based on survival and cultural influences, suggesting that the internet's global reach may have disconnected individuals from a shared sense of community and purpose, leading to increased online abuse. The discussion also touches on the importance of having a personal moral compass and the challenges of developing one in a diverse, global online environment.

05:01

🗣️ Freedom of Speech vs. Internet Censorship

In the second paragraph, Ella Whelan argues that the internet has not revealed a dark side of humanity but rather a cavalier approach to freedom and liberty. She expresses concern over the tendency to react to internet abuse with censorship and policing, which she sees as a threat to freedom of speech. Whelan points out that social media regulations already restrict online content and debate, and she warns against surrendering freedom of speech to governments or social media giants. Nigel Inkster follows up by suggesting that the internet reveals the 'lizard brain' aspect of human nature, driven by emotions like outrage and fear, which are exploited by social media platforms for profit. He advises caution against authoritarian desires for control over speech and emphasizes the importance of not implementing measures that authoritarian regimes would applaud. The paragraph concludes with a call for careful consideration of language and regulation, distinguishing between censorship and sensible regulation, with an example of the abuse directed at public figures like Diane Abbott.

10:04

📢 Call to Action for Intellectual Engagement

The final paragraph is a call to action for viewers to subscribe to the Institute of Arts and Ideas' channel, presumably to engage with more content that stimulates intellectual debate and discussion on topics like the ones presented in the panel discussion. This paragraph serves as a prompt for viewers to continue their exploration of complex issues such as anonymity, freedom of speech, and the impact of the internet on human behavior.

Keywords

💡Anonymity

Anonymity refers to the state of being unidentified or concealed. In the context of the video, it is discussed as a feature of the internet that may enable abusive behavior because users can hide their identities. The script mentions the potential need for oversight to ensure good behavior online, implying that without the fear of being identified, people might act in ways they wouldn't in their everyday lives.

💡Oversight

Oversight in this context means the act of supervising or monitoring, often implying a form of regulation or control. The discussion in the video revolves around whether the internet requires oversight to curb abusive behavior, suggesting that without such control, people might not act responsibly.

💡Human Nature

Human nature refers to the fundamental characteristics and tendencies固有倾向 of human beings. The video explores whether human beings are inherently good or wicked, and if the internet reveals a darker side of human nature. The script suggests that human behavior is influenced by cultural context and the need for survival.

💡Internet Abuse

Internet abuse refers to any harmful or malicious activity conducted online, such as cyberbullying, harassment, or spreading hate speech. The video discusses internet abuse as a rampant issue, suggesting that it's not due to an inherent evil in people but rather the lack of immediate social consequences online.

💡Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is the right to express one's opinions without censorship or restraint. The video discusses concerns that in response to internet abuse, there might be a knee-jerk reaction to limit this freedom, which could lead to censorship and control by authorities or social media platforms.

💡Censorship

Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. The video participants debate the line between censorship and necessary regulation, with some arguing that censorship could be a slippery slope towards authoritarian control.

💡Regulation

Regulation refers to the rules or directives made and maintained by an authority. In the video, regulation is discussed as a potential solution to internet abuse, but there is a cautionary note about the balance between sensible regulation and over-regulation that could infringe on personal freedoms.

💡Social Control

Social control refers to the mechanisms by which society influences and directs individual behavior. The script mentions that in smaller communities, social control can keep behavior in check, but this is lost in larger, more anonymous settings like the internet.

💡Success Criteria

Success criteria are the standards or measures used to determine the success of something, like a project or an action. In the video, it's suggested that if the success criteria of a culture align with the better survival of the group, individuals are more likely to act in ways that benefit others, which is contrasted with the individualistic nature of online interactions.

💡Authoritarian Regime

An authoritarian regime is a form of government characterized by strong central power and minimal democracy. The video discusses the desire of such regimes to clamp down on freedoms, including freedom of speech, and how reactions to internet abuse could be exploited by them to justify their own restrictive practices.

💡Internal Compass

An internal compass in the context of the video refers to an individual's moral or ethical guide that helps them distinguish right from wrong. It is suggested that if people had a strong internal compass, they would not need external oversight to behave well online.

Highlights

The anonymity of the Internet has led to an epidemic of abuse.

Questioning whether human nature is inherently wicked and requires restraint.

Discussion on whether online anonymity should be abolished for a better world.

Ella Whelan suggests that human beings act to survive and are influenced by their cultural surroundings.

The Internet has made our social group global, complicating social control and common purpose.

Online abuse is rampant due to the lack of immediate feedback and consequences.

The need for a strong internal compass to distinguish right from wrong without external oversight.

Ella argues that the Internet reveals a dark side but also challenges censorship and calls for tolerance.

The Internet has been a test for our tolerance and ability to deal with difficult situations.

Nigel Inkster points out the business model of Internet giants promotes negative behavior for profit.

The importance of not implementing wide-scale controls on freedom of speech as authoritarian regimes desire.

Yasmin alibi Brown differentiates between censorship and sensible, decent regulation in the media.

The necessity of considering the damage caused by unregulated freedom of speech on the Internet.

The panelists agree on the need for careful consideration of how to regulate the Internet without compromising freedom.

The debate highlights the complexity of balancing freedom of speech with the need for social responsibility.

Transcripts

[Music]

the anonymity of the Internet's has

enabled an epidemic of abuse do we need

the oversight of others to behave well

was hobbes right after all and humankind

is just at core wicked and requiring

restraints should we abolish online

anonymity to create a better world or is

there a culture where our essential

goodness would flourish without us

needing to be watched see my left

we've got Ella Whelan she's a political

commentator at freelance journalist

after graduating in 2014 she joined

online politics magazines spiked and

quickly rose to assistant editor also to

my left we have Janos hello before she

got into writing she worked as a

conflict adviser for the EU and the UN -

my rights

Nigel Inkster is the former director of

operations and intelligence for the

British Secret Intelligence Service

otherwise known as mi6

last but definitely not least to my

right is Yasmin alibi Brown she's a

respected pundit who writes regularly

for the I International Business Times a

new European as you can tell we're not

going to be having a light chat tonight

so get ready buckle up your seat belts

brains on please do we need the

oversight of others to behave well yeah

no I'd love to start off with you human

beings are neither as I see good or bad

we act to survive and depending on the

culture around us

we'll do actual acts that are better to

others or not in that process it depends

on the success criteria of our culture

what we need to act in ways that is not

detrimental to other people is a purpose

that sets us on a path that means the

better survival not just for ourselves

but also for our surroundings it's it's

a kind of understanding of that and when

our success criteria therefore is the

better survival of the entire group we

tend to act in a better way the problem

then with the Internet is it has made

the group

to which we relate to totally global I

mean when you're in within a village

there's a certain amount of social

control a certain amount of common

purpose of people who live under the

same circumstances already in a big city

we lose that because there are too many

people two different people two

different social and economic

circumstances you have common conditions

that leads us in one direction but on

the internet you can multiply that with

a at least a few hundred maybe thousand

times that we all connect or can

influence people with whom we we don't

know anything about and we don't

necessarily have immediate goals in

common and therefore it becomes so easy

to say well to advance my success to the

denture ment of someone else who my

actually might influence but just

through this screen you don't have a

feedback where you feel it and you don't

see the consequences and I think that's

why abuse online is absolutely rampant

it's not because human beings are more

or less evil it's simply a mechanisms of

how we function and to come back this do

we need the oversight of others to be

here well yes unless we have a very

strong internal human compass if we

really can distinguish right and wrong

ourselves we don't need others to keep

an eye on but most of us who have lived

more or less mono culturally and without

I mean even within a country but in a

certain village type of community where

there are rights and wrongs we don't

even know we don't have a personal

compass that if we are on our own and

total different culture we wouldn't even

need know what is right or wrong but if

we have been challenged then we develop

that human compass you know if you're

put in another culture you actually may

be killing is allowed but you say no I

don't like to kill that shows that you

have your own personal human compass

regardless of your surroundings if we

have that there would not be a problem

with the internet the problem is that we

don't have around the world cultures

where we developed out and I also

don't think is realistic to have this

willing a reasonable timeframe therefore

we do need oversight excellent thank you

Ella has the internet revealed something

dark within us your thoughts please well

I mean it's interesting that we're

having this discussion remember that the

Internet is only 30 years old so I

actually think that it has revealed

something definitely it potentially

isn't very dark and I don't actually

think it's about us do the general

public of Internet users and I think

what the Internet what Internet abuse

has revealed is the opposite side of us

are very Cavalier approach to freedom

liberty and freedom of speech because

however bad Internet abuse might be from

time to time I think what's far more

worrying is the knee-jerk reaction to

censor to police to commission people to

be the those who have oversight to place

controls on us and really the Internet

has been a test for our over the last

thirty years for our tolerance and our

ability to deal with difficult

situations and we've been found wanting

I mean a cursory look at the kind of

regulations and policies that are used

within social media show us that

actually on your day to day use of the

internet you are quite restricted and

the consequences of that is that we are

having a debate online throughout

different channels and the content that

we access is much more limited than you

might actually perceive I mean there's

certainly an issue with social media in

particular that we might get into that

rather than this being a dark issue of

internet abuse they're really

problematic and quite frightening side

of it is that we are giving up our

freedom to speak and think freely to at

the government to social media giants to

those that are largely unaccountable so

I want to turn the question on its head

and actually say that rather than the

internet being the problem it actually

the Internet has revealed a

long-standing and now sort of an issue

that's becoming more and more pertinent

of how we value freedom how we value

engagement communication and freedom of

speech

great thank you very much Ella Nigel

yep has the has this shown us anything

about ourselves by implication that we

didn't already know I think the answer

is no it's revealed that we have two

parts to our brains you know the the

cortex and the lizard brain and what

we're seeing at the moment is the lizard

brain at work trial by Twitter is

nothing more than a modernization of our

earlier propensity to attend

gladiatorial contests or public

executions you know they'd say it's the

same drivers that are at work and the

problem is that the business model of

the Internet giants is actually so

configured as to have to promote and

encourage this kind of behavior it's all

about keeping us online as long as

possible so they can scrape our data so

they can sell it for targeted and

predictive ad advertising and what keeps

you online outrage and fit you know

these two emotions are the things that

keep you scrolling through you know

looking at the next YouTube you know

shocker beheading whatever it works you

know it works extremely well having said

that I mean I agree with the last

speaker with Ella that you know we need

to be very careful about knee-jerk

reactions that something must be done

mentality I spend a lot of my time

talking to people from countries like

China and Russia about things like

cybersecurity they would love us to

clamp down you know they would really

really like to see us implement

wide-scale controls our own freedom of

speech because that would of course

justify precisely what it is they want

to do and I would feel that when you've

got something that an authoritarian

regime wants you to do that's probably a

very good reason as to why you should

not do it and I'll end it there thank

you very much Kevin I think we should be

really really careful of how will you

use language and how we use concepts the

fact the China

the Arab nations or many African nations

and several others undemocratic nations

absolutely want to clamp down on freedom

cannot be used as the reason why in

proper democracies which this is just

until Boris comes into power then who

knows what's going to happen

anarchy so I just want to be clear

censorship is not the same as sensible

decent regulation I work for the print

sector I cannot write whatever I fancy

whenever I'm writing my columns quite

rightly the legal department looks at it

my bosses look at it we have restraint

on what we can do with what we write you

might not think that but actually even

the most outrageous papers in this

country are subject to some kind of

regulation so for me the Internet is a

publishing venture it's not beyond

publishing and therefore we have to

consider the damage that is being done

is it OK in the name of this spurious

freedom that Diane Abbott gets the kind

of abuse she gets hour after hour debate

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