Isn't the point that MikePlacid is making that if a platform does not engage in censorship then it will:

a) have some users who've been censored elsewhere

b) be accused of catering to them, as you have done

c) meanwhile, the majority continues to use censored platforms

Whereas if you and the majority used an uncensored-yet-legal platform:

1) White supremacists would be a tiny minority

2) Everyone could speak freely

3) That would not be catering to white supremacists

Or would it? Based on what you've written above it seems you might claim it would be catering to them by not censoring them.

You've created a circular argument and a vicious cycle on top of it. That does support censorship and it shows that the majority does prefer censorship. Freedom of speech will necessarily entail having speech the majority don't like being around. That's the price of it but it's better than the alternatives.

Did you not see where I said they censored me? I disagreed with a prominent Gab user and posted something that was, by their criteria, “left wing” and I was banned. That is 100% censorship by the criteria he established. How are they not catering to white supremacists etc. if they are banning people for disagreeing? Weren’t they started in order to cater to that demographic as well?

I was also banned from Twitter, and I’m not out crying about it as nothing of value was really lost there either.

Assuming what you say is true (no slight intended, it only means I can't confirm it and haven't seen the exchange), being censored for making a left wing comment does not necessarily imply white supremacists doing it. Left wing comments occasionally get censored on Twitter, too, as you point out.

I've no idea if Gab censors or not as I don't use it but that's different to your argument holding water. I also wonder that if you're banned from Twitter and Gab then you're the one with the problem, and this thread might be a clue as to why.

If you want to call me an asshole, call me an asshole directly instead of “this thread might be a clue why.”

I never said white supremacists were censoring me. I said Gab is full of them and that as a platform, they too censor views that dissent from their majority. So it’s not some free speech wonderland like OP implied. He suggested it as an alternative. I said it’s not really an alternative. The content of what I said to get banned from Twitter or from Gab is irrelevant to my point.

> If you want to call me an asshole, call me an asshole directly instead of “this thread might be a clue why.”

I wasn't suggesting anything of the sort, but your belligerence and unwillingness to accept any other point of view is what I was suggesting, along with the bannings you've brought up.

> I never said white supremacists were censoring me.

Really?

> Did you not see where I said they censored me? > How are they not catering to white supremacists

If you didn't write it then you suggested it to the point where to now claim anything else undermines your argument, as does the goalpost moving.

So, which is it? They're catering to white supremacists or Gab isn't really a free speech paradise. Once you've picked one then perhaps you can form a cogent argument for it. Let me know.

It’s both. I don’t think actual white supremacists are “censoring” me. I think people who saw a way to make money by catering to that demographic are not practicing the “free speech paradise” that they preach. What’s so hard to understand about that?

Also, if I’m belligerent for disagreeing with you, then clearly you are also belligerent for disagreeing with me. You can accuse me of moving goalposts or whatever makes you feel better about it, but i am not meaning to. English is not my first language and it sometimes my point does not shine through the way I would like.

> if I’m belligerent for disagreeing with you, then clearly you are also belligerent for disagreeing with me

Let's get this out of the way, I wasn't suggesting you're belligerent for disagreeing with me, there's plenty of belligerence from you in this thread long before I commented.

> English is not my first language and it sometimes my point does not shine through the way I would like.

As an immigrant who struggles with the local language where I am, I sympathise, I genuinely do. Still, I'd be amazed if I could reach the level you have. Shall we resume disagreeing now?

> I think people who saw a way to make money by catering to that demographic are not practicing the “free speech paradise” that they preach

I'm not sure who censored you now, I've heard talk of community moderators on Gab, was it them? It was not white supremacists that censored you but they're catering to white supremacists? Wouldn't that just cater to conservatives? It's strange because research (from Pew) shows that those on the American left, at least, are less likely to tolerate opposing viewpoints on social media[1].

You also seem to conflate banning with censoring, which it can, but to go straight to a ban seems strange to me - does Gab ban people straight away for left wing comments? I'm almost tempted to post one there and see what happens.

This Forbes article[2] mentions Parler (which is also being accused of catering to white supremacists elsewhere on this page):

> One reason that conservatives may feel at home is because the service has been quick to ban those who joined just to "troll" or otherwise harass those with right-leaning views.

At the moment, regardless of language skill, that would appear to explain your anecdote very well.

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2014/10/21/political-...

[2] One reason that conservatives may feel at home is because the service has been quick to ban those who joined just to "troll" or otherwise harass those with right-leaning views.

Edit: typo