On 15 September 2012, Google denied the White House’s request
that the internet service remove the provocative anti-Islam YouTube video that has
caused wild discord in the Arab world.
Ever deferential to the laws of the nations it serves,
Google maintained that the video did not flout any regulations specific to Arab
countries “because it was against the Muslim religion but not the Muslim
people.”
Moving for a moment to the general procedures of Google, the
corporation does not police the videos that are uploaded to YouTube because
such a task is decidedly undoable. Seventy
two hours of video are uploaded to the site each minute, causing Google to
investigate only those videos that are flagged by users as inappropriate or that
receive a valid court order/ government request for removal.
What to think? It
seems as though Google found a slight loophole in the wording of the laws of
Arab nations. Good for Google. Though I promise
that I recognize the tremendous repercussions and stupidities of the coming
statement, I must tout my belief that unrestricted speech is always the way to
go.
As readers of my blog have learned, I am hardly a technology
enthusiast. However, one accomplishment
I do reluctantly assign to the cyber realm is that it has generously gifted each
forcibly hushed living being with the potential for worldwide, vociferous
impact. This is an unspeakable triumph.
Though Google’s decision is cheeky and provocative, I laud
the corporation for its uncaring resolve.
Indeed, Google respects its users enough to show them everything it can,
including its objectionable content.
Did you catch my use of the word “respect?” I said it and I meant it. Despite the corporation’s absurd wealth, it defers
to the judgments of its users. We decide
what is appropriate. We decide what is
crass. We decide what is lovely. We decide what is worthwhile. Yes, this means we will encounter startlingly
offensive videos and posts that demean our values, religions, lifestyles,
origins, colors, upbringings, etc.
But given the resilience of mankind, isn’t it worth it?
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