" think that modern requirements of self-censorship have at least one really valuable outcome. They force people (with jobs, reputations, etc) to think carefully before posting online. "
There's nothing wrong with being wrong.
Especially in hindsight.
We all regret things we've once said - that's the point of being human.
This has nothing to do with 'getting people to think before they act' - in oppressive regimes with all of the power, it's about control. In open societies with competing ideologies it's a 'nation-sized knife-fight where certain groups are cutting down even their own in the name of antagonizing glory.
There's nothing wrong with being wrong.
Especially in hindsight.
We all regret things we've once said - that's the point of being human.
This has nothing to do with 'getting people to think before they act' - in oppressive regimes with all of the power, it's about control. In open societies with competing ideologies it's a 'nation-sized knife-fight where certain groups are cutting down even their own in the name of antagonizing glory.