Monday, November 22, 2010

Twitter has become one of the most popular social networks on the Internet. It is a wonderful display of the freedom of speech. For the most part. Hate-filled posts seem to be rather widespread lately. In this case, a seemingly harmless release of anger turns into an arrest. Posts like this are becoming more and more common, because people feel that when things are done electronically, they hold less power, have less of an effect. Well, Joe, people have freedom of speech, they can say whatever they want! Wrong! Saying "Can someone please stone Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to death?" holds just as much weight on the internet as it does saying it right to their face. Adams is calling people to watch what they say before they say it. He sees that people don't see the consequences of what they do over the internet.
  • A man's "joke" about blowing up an airport did not seem too funny to the police that read the post. He was arrested and now faces fines.
  • sometimes rude or slanderous posts have their own consequences without the government getting involved. Compton is now despised and ridiculed by many of his followers for his threatening post.
Adams creates a vivid image of the kind of damage even one derogatory post can cause. People land in jail, get slammed with fines, get criticized by the media and their fans. The easiest thing to do is think before you post, and try to keep your anger on the inside. Maybe you won't drop a bombshell that ends up costing $4,800.

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