Free speech.

[Katman]

I watched, with interest, the article on TV last night regarding the widespread effort to shut down opinions that go against the populist viewpoint - and I thought of Kiwibiker.

For as long as I can remember this place has been a perfect example of how society is gradually being transformed into an environment where asking questions and thinking outside the box is becoming frowned upon and openly ridiculed.

Should anyone dare to voice an opinion outside the norm they're instantly deemed to be a conspiracy theorist, a peddler of hate speech or any other form of social pariah that is the current flavour of the month.

There's a particularly vocal band on here, who with the complete complicity of the moderators, will work their little socks off to get topics they don't want discussed moved from the view of the wider public.

[caspernz]

There's likely a better forum for personal soapbox speeches and discussions following on from them.

I can see where you're coming from though. Not sure how the saying goes, something along the lines of I may hate what you have to say, but will defend your right to have your say. This goes well with my open minded upbringing in The Netherlands, yet even I find myself shrinking my tolerance for stuff outside the norm. Maybe another saying which suggests fools are afraid of things they can't comprehend applies there?

[nzspokes]

Probably time for you to move on then.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[Katman]

And before anyone trots out the age-old "this place isn't a democracy" - I'm well aware of that.

It does, however, happen to be a convenient way of shutting down discussion.

[Jeff Sichoe]

But this is a private forum and 'they' don't have to host any view 'they' don't agree with.

Nothing stopping you saying what you really think in real life, or on face book, or on your own forum...

I'm not saying I think this is a cool and good thing, but that's the way she goes.

[Katman]

But this is a private forum and 'they' don't have to host any view 'they' don't agree with.

Nothing stopping you saying what you really think in real life, or on face book, or on your own forum...

I'm not saying I think this is a cool and good thing, but that's the way she goes.

Yes, I've already addressed that point in the post above yours.

And I assume you mean 'privately owned' forum - as I imagine the vast majority of internet forums are.

If it was actually a 'private' forum you would need to be a member in order to view any of the content.

[Akzle]

fucken jews .

[Katman]

To give a bit of context to the thread.....

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...z-universities

[oldrider]

Motorcyclists generally seek out new alternative roads/routes to explore and test their validity as best for bike options. (different? it's what we do!)

Compare that then to KB "normalcy brigade" - they run contrary to natural motorcyclist values/behaviours!

Their constant lambasting of those who express thinking outside "their square" as conspiracy theorists clearly demonstrates their own conditioning!

[YellowDog]

fucken jews .

Never mid the Yids, it's those Japs, Chinks, Spiks, Niggas, & Pakis that get on my nerves. And don't get me started on those white cunts, they're the worst - lol

Yip, become a transexual and vote Green, then we can all be dumb tossers and stop people debating real issues. You know it makes sense

I hear the River W(h)anganui will be standing for parliament at the next election. She has my vote

[Akzle]

Never mid the Yids, it's those Japs, Chinks, Spiks, Niggas, & Pakis that get on my nerves. And don't get me started on those white cunts, they're the worst - lol

Yip, become a transexual and vote Green, then we can all be dumb tossers and stop people debating real issues. You know it makes sense

I hear the River W(h)anganui will be standing for parliament at the next election. She has my vote

you left out the irish

vote akzle, fuckya.

[Woodman]

Is calling someone a "conspiracy theorist" not exercising free speech?

[Blackbird]

There's a particularly vocal band on here, who with the complete complicity of the moderators, will work their little socks off to get topics they don't want discussed moved from the view of the wider public.

I don't think that's the issue at all Steve. I'm totally for great, reasoned debate and totally agree with Caspernz. What gets my goat is the name-calling, threats and generally immature responses. That's not what constitutes a discussion and is why I can't be arsed on KB.

[Ocean1]

Should anyone dare to voice an opinion outside the norm they're instantly deemed to be a conspiracy theorist, a peddler of hate speech or any other form of social pariah that is the current flavour of the month.

Said the conspiracy theorist.

[pritch]

Should anyone dare to voice an opinion outside the norm they're instantly deemed to be a conspiracy theorist,

I haven't noticed. Having said that, I have used the phrase more than once. What follows seems to be a generally accepted list of characteristics common to conspiracy theorists. There are definitely people here who display these tendencies. If someone is called a conspiracy theorist it may be that in itself is a problem, or it may be that the person in question is exhibiting the behaviours of a conspiracy theorist?

http://www.urban75.org/info/conspiraloons.html