It's interesting to see "more free speech" as a justification for continuing participation on Twitter despite its current trajectory. In fact, it seems to be heading in a direction of much less free speech. If racism, bullying, targeting and trolling are allowed to proliferate unchecked, and more users and institutions depart, the effect will in fact be a narrowing of views and speech. Even if what speech remains becomes more extreme, giving the apparent effect of "diversity of views," the range of content featured will in fact not be more diverse and civically robust. I can envision a sad future in which our museums and museum workers who are broadening the discourse by contributing information about instiutions, exhibits, publications, and digital humanities projects that deal with sensitive matters (inequities, histories of enslavement/ incarceration /disenfranchisment, indigenous activism, LGBTQ+ activism, and similar important historical and cultural issues) simply depart because there is no longer a possibility of sharing that content without exposing their users to harassment. The result does not broaden speech - it narrows it.
The chilling effect caused by the increased likelihood of bullying and targeting against museums and museum professionals makes an exchange of views less likely as well. When we talk about things that encourage or hamper free speech, prior restraint is only one of the factors to consider. Another is the originality and diversity of the speech: a Twitter which is mostly comprised of retweets and paraphrases of views originated by paid media figures who are already well heard adds nothing to the civic discourse, while the originality of new museum work on topics previously under-reported certainly does. Another factor, perhaps most important, is the environment of the platform in which speech is to take place. The more users depart the platform due to an environment inimical to a broad range of speech - including the advancement of views most marginal in our society that are now increasingly being exposed to direct personal attack and harassment - the less free speech and diversity of thought there will be overall.
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Michelle Moon
Principal, Satlworks Interpretive Services
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2022 08:22 AM
From: Ken Avallon
Subject: Twitter
Margaret: As a sports-focused organization the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame is 100% nonpartisan and nonpolitical and has such wording in corporate papers. The Hall celebrates athletic greatness in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. We have a Twitter account with a growing following. The organization has enjoyed the free aspect of Twitter. Twitter's new ownership seems to have a dedication and commitment to a vast reduction in censorship resulting in more free speech and open dialogue of opposing views. Given that, the PSHoF is inclined to continue on Twitter, possibly signing up for the paid subscription.
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Ken Avallon
Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
kavallon@phillyhall.net
Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2022 09:12 AM
From: Margaret Koch
Subject: Twitter
Good day, everyone,
Curious to know if any organizations are rethinking their Twitter accounts? Feel free to message me directly. Many thanks for your input.
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Margaret Koch
Director
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin TX
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