Derek Kerton 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Trump’s Latest Weapon Against Critics: Destroying Their Lawyers

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 12 Mar, 2025 @ 12:28pm

    Democracy

    I would argue that the problem isn't that they're willing to give up a valuable democracy to "own the libs.", but rather, the problem is that they don't think much of democracy in the first place. Some people in power now, Thiel for example, have overtly stated that they don't like democracy. A disdain for democracy is nothing new, as the merits have been hotly debated since the ancient greeks. Giving ever uninformed moron equal power to choose a government is easy to criticize. It's just that, like capitalism, it's imperfect but still better than all the alternatives. Anyhow, we saw the same problem in the Middle East where we "freed" countries, brought them the vote...then they promptly vote for the Muslim Brotherhood, or some other anti-democratic leadership. People simply don't naturally see the value of democracy. It has to be taught and learned. It's not odd that Egyptians or Afghans didn't have a love of democracy, but it is a bit weird that Americans lack it. But MAGA americans have been fed a steady diet of anti-democratic propaganda since Ronald Reagan. They don't like the messy way the sausage is made in a democracy. They don't like that it seems to mean that they don't always get what they want. They've been told to be sooooo angry about the losses, that their country is being destroyed. For them, democracy brings too many ties and losses, and not enough wins. So, when given the option to lose democracy but score more wins, their choice is clear.

  • On the post: Trump’s Latest Weapon Against Critics: Destroying Their Lawyers

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 12 Mar, 2025 @ 12:15pm

    The Difference

    Yep, all bad. OTOH, can you see a difference between punishing a company for activity that is against the USA, versus punishing a company for activity that is seen as against a President or a Party? Cuz they're both over-reaches, but one is ostensibly done towards the benefit of the country, while the other is done towards the benefit of retaining power and against democracy.

  • On the post: Trump’s Latest Weapon Against Critics: Destroying Their Lawyers

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 12 Mar, 2025 @ 12:09pm

    Is it Fascism Or Is It Revenge?

    Is this awful Exec Order an intelligent strategic move, deliberately crafted by authoritarians to chill speech, weaken opposition, reduce legal challenges, and clear a pathway for unchecked power, OR, Is it an impetuous, emotional, childish move by Trump to get even with Perkins Coie? I mean, both have the deleterious effects of the first option, but I'm wondering how much credit to give them as being good at fascism. Or are we just stumbling into fascism because Trump's a vindictive, whiny baby?

  • On the post: Brendan Carr Makes It Clear That He’s Eager To Be America’s Top Censor

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 02 Dec, 2024 @ 02:33pm

    "But Carr is the one arguing that NewsGuard’s speech is somehow illegal because it sometimes calls out news orgs he likes as being full of shit. He’s literally trying to either destroy NewsGuard for expressing an opinion" No. As often is the case in Orwellian situations, he's literally trying to destroy the very concept of "truth".

  • On the post: Sorry Appin, We’re Not Taking Down Our Article About Your Attempts To Silence Reporters

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 06 Feb, 2024 @ 06:07pm

    Fight the good fight

    Nice job.

  • On the post: E-Bike Industry Blames Consumers For Fires In Effort To Undermine ‘Right To Repair’ Laws

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 29 Aug, 2023 @ 11:29am

    “There’s huge interest” in fixing e-bikes, said Kyle Wiens, CEO of the online repair guide site iFixit. But outside of manufacturers and specialized shops, “no one knows how.” ...and among these manufacturers, they don't seem that motivated to offer repair services themselves! At least in the famous case of John Deere, the OEM was trying to corner the repair service, and had some (a monopolist's) desire to perform the repairs. I've been an avid eBike evangelist since 2010. I've bought about a dozen for me and my family, and still maintain a fleet of 8 including Bosch-based mountain bikes, iZips, Rad Powers, Velobecane, and some white-label chinese bikes. In EVERY case, repairs are VERY hard to find. And it's not just repairs, it's parts, in particular the sure-to-degrade battery packs. The price of replacement packs is RIDICULOUS, but (in the case of Bosch, at least) proprietary systems block competitors from filling the need. Even if I hack my bike and put a new battery mount and no-name battery on the bike, the Bosch system will not recognize the battery. For battery packs for other bikes, I can replace them with generic chinese versions, if I'm willing to do some wiring. I would have rather just bought a fairly-priced OEM, UL certified battery, but because of the universal outcomes of monopoly, supply is constrained and prices are exorbitant. I can find a Bosch battery for $780 out of Florida, but the stores in California are sold out, even at that price. NOBODY has on in stock. A similarly-powered chinese (Hailong brand) battery at Amazon is $260. Basically, the industry's protectiveness is FORCING consumers to tinker and hack the systems, most frequently the battery!!! And the monopoly pricing is making sub-standard batteries from China very attractive to customers - even if we know there is a higher risk of fire. Their recalcitrance to compete is MAKING US LESS SAFE, not more.

  • On the post: Extraordinarily Confused Congressional Rep. Thinks Social Media Companies Are Secretly Communicating With Gov’t Censors… Via Jira

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 16 Feb, 2023 @ 04:27am

    The Context

    The context, in MAGAspeak, is that, since the time of Hillary, "Private Server" = malfeasance.

  • On the post: Extraordinarily Confused Congressional Rep. Thinks Social Media Companies Are Secretly Communicating With Gov’t Censors… Via Jira

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 16 Feb, 2023 @ 04:26am

    Expanse

    "what’s the demonym for the Techdirt community?" It's "Beltalowda."

  • On the post: Why Would Anyone Use Another Centralized Social Media Service After This?

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 22 Dec, 2022 @ 11:58am

    Mockery

    Yeah. I'm pretty sure that we were already making fun of people who still used an AOL email by the late 1990s. The gist of it was "AOL, eh...Nice. um...why don't you join us on the ACTUAL Internet?"

  • On the post: Elon Tries (Badly) To Defend The Banning Of Journalists As Twitter Starts Blocking Links & Mentions Of Mastodon

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 16 Dec, 2022 @ 01:01pm

    Calvinball

    It's Calvinball, all the way down. Make up the rules that you want, when you want them. Apply them as YOU choose to apply them, and change them when they no longer suit your fancy. Then, declare "This isn't complicated. Just follow the rules."

  • On the post: Elon Musk Continues Along The Content Moderation Learning Curve, But Doesn’t Seem To Be Learning A Damn Thing

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 01 Dec, 2022 @ 06:33pm

    No. I just don't think the Internet is the town square in a literal sense. The government (a sentencing judge) can block your access to it, and it doesn't violate the 1st Amendment. I like Mike's take that Twitter is definitely not the Town Square, but more of a store. Sure. But really, the only Town Square is the actual fuc4ing town square. I mean, it's a real thing. We don't need to say something else is that thing. It still exists. Your freedom of speech means you can go there and rant on a soapbox. You MAY be blocked from the Internet. And, I closed by asking him whether he thinks that distinction is worth making, or not.

  • On the post: Elon Musk Continues Along The Content Moderation Learning Curve, But Doesn’t Seem To Be Learning A Damn Thing

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 01 Dec, 2022 @ 01:43pm

    What is "The Town Square"?

    Mike, I'm wondering if I can convince you to make a slight modification. You wrote "As we’ve noted, the “town square” is the internet itself." I don't agree. I think the "town square" is literally, the town square. Like, the center of your town, where you could go on a soapbox and spout nonsense if you wished. I think what you mean is "the correct ANALOGY of the town square is the Internet itself, and Twitter is but one of the storefronts..." Is that distinction important and worth making? Or is it just me?

  • On the post: It’s Not Anyone In The Senate’s Job To Save Twitter From Elon Musk

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 14 Nov, 2022 @ 12:15pm

    What? Is Fox News in trouble?

    It's funny to see the obvious revolving door between the GOP and a Fox News gig - a door that goes both directions and doesn't stop spinning. That's Fox News, the #1 rated news network, watched by millions of dupes every day. Bread and circuses for 2.189 million prime-time viewers, who watch for hours. Fox News, where right wingers can go on, and feed their BS narrative all day long, but liberals cannot get a live microphone, and are cut out of airtime if they say the "wrong" things (ex: Rutger Bregman). But you skate past that, and instead rant about how Twitter is the propaganda platform we should worry about. Twitter, where anybody can get an account. Where right wing loons have millions of followers - but are subject to a few Terms of Service guidelines, the same as everyone else. Both of these are private property, with the right to say what they want, promote what they want, edit or feature what they want. One of these things is terrible and right wing propaganda that repeats false narratives while blocking all opposing views, and the other is neutral. Your problem is, you aren't happy with "neutral".

  • On the post: Devin Nunes Retires From Congress To Spend More Time Banning Satirical Cows From Trump's New Social Network

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 06 Dec, 2021 @ 03:54pm

    HONEYPOT ALERT

    Nah, he's just going to Truth Social to lure @DevinCow into opening an account...so he can finally get the IPs, etc, and see who TF it is!!

    Beware, cow. That grass isn't greener!

    OTOH, this allows the rest of us to create a Spartacus moment over at Truth:
    I'm Devincow.
    No, I'm Devincow.
    I'm DevinsCows.
    No, I'm DevinsCow.

  • On the post: Why Are Drug Prices So High? Because Asshole McKinsey Consultants Figure Out Ways To Re-Patent The Same Drugs Over And Over

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 24 Nov, 2021 @ 01:49pm

    Re: The reason companies exist

    Yes, but the part that kinda goes without saying is: Capitalism may need some guard rails. And where the regulations now seem to work in favor of this style of business, maybe they shouldn't? Maybe Intellectual Property rights are being bent out of shape to harm the general public. Maybe regs and laws should limit a company's ability to succeed at this game, because, as you point out, of course they will do it if they can. I mean, at some point, Techdirt should write something that is generally against abuses of intellectual property rent-seeking. But, until then, we'll have to read between the lines.

  • On the post: Why Are Drug Prices So High? Because Asshole McKinsey Consultants Figure Out Ways To Re-Patent The Same Drugs Over And Over

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 24 Nov, 2021 @ 01:37pm

    Abbottgarry Abbott Ross

    Iphone: The new "steak knives"

  • On the post: The Whole YouTube Radicalizes People Story Doesn't Seem To Have Much Evidence To Back It Up

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 03 Nov, 2021 @ 10:42am

    People Get What They Seek

    One of the best features of Google search, other search, and YouTube, Facebook, etc. is that people will find whatever it is they are seeking. That applies whether it's true or false, benevolent / benign / or beastly.

    So, in these random walk experiments, what we're really testing is whether YouTube will take a neutral viewer, and feed them radical content, and the results seem to be no. That's good, but...

    I'm more interested in an experiment where you take a YouTube viewer who starts with a slightly "disinformation" video request or inbound link, then where does the random walk take them. Because I think THAT's what's happening.

    And this is fully in agreement with your point, Mike, that they see some disinfo elsewhere or hear about it on Fox News, then link-in or seek it on YouTube. But THEN what happens?

    Anecdotally, my dumb friend was "just asking questions" about a flat earth about 7 years ago. One year later, he was sure of it, and had started into a bunch of other conspiracies. YouTube may not start people down the wrong path, but it does seem to provide them the "rabbit hole", should they start that way.

  • On the post: Facebook's Latest Scandals: The Banality Of Hubris; The Messiness Of Humanity

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 30 Sep, 2021 @ 02:09pm

    Re:

    Just to back you up, this spring, I took a trip to the Canyons and red rocks of Utah & Nevada. We set out on a hike at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon wearing good hiking gear, shoes, etc, and went down just one hour of the Rim Trail. There, one arrives at a scenic viewpoint, so naturally, we stopped for some photos and our packed lunch. My teen kids took the mandatory Instagram photos, but were competing for the best photo spots with two absolutely stunningly pretty 20-somethings, with Friday-night-clubbing makeup, wearing flowing sundresses and high heels. Remember, this is an hour hike down a steep canyon rim! Of course these girls didn't hike there in the high heels, but they were walking around the uneven terrain wearing them now. My teens took a dozen pics or so, and came back to eat lunch. By virtue of our lunch break, I was able to notice that the two formalwear ladies continued taking pictures the entire time, and were still taking them when we left the area about an hour after arriving. I imagine they had hundreds of photos each. Who knows how long they stayed before putting on some real shoes and hiking up the 2000 vertical feet. Now, hundreds of photos - that takes time to select the best of the batch, edit, apply filters, so they were probably setting themselves up for an evening of work -- all in a bid to "present" an illusion of effortless beauty "living the easy life" across America. As much as I was struck by the fake nature of their story, I was also impressed by the work ethic. These were not amateurs, these were professionals doing a job. Much as this Techdirt blog was/is a news blog without the classical trappings of a WSJ, they are the modelling industry without an agency, photog, and magazine contract. How could my teenagers photos ever compete without similar effort? Do they really want to? I'm glad they got to see one reality behind the images they see everyday. Since then, damn the COVID, I spent some time in Paris, and now I watch out for similar "semi-pros" at other renown viewpoints, and sure enough, they're present.

  • On the post: The Challenge In Content Moderation And Politics: How Do You Deal With Bad Faith Actors?

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 03 Sep, 2021 @ 01:06pm

    Social Network Guerrilla Warfare

    "Now, as with anything in content moderation (and perhaps in politics), it is often difficult to judge who is a good faith actor who might just be massively ignorant or confused, and who is just a bad faith actor looking to abuse the system. And that is a real concern -- and there can be problems when legitimately ignorant people who mean well are dismissed or judged as bad faith trolls. And, of course, there is a legitimate concern about what happens when good faith individuals are dismissed as being in bad faith without considering what they say."

    What you typed above is a lot like guerilla warfare that we learned in Vietnam, or in Afghanistan. When the VC were wildly outnumbered, and had inferior arms and resources as the Americans, they declined to fight a conventional war with a front and two armies facing off. Why would they, when that would mean certain defeat? Instead, they disappeared into the jungles or villages, blending in or hiding until they would strike, then disappear back into the cover. Same with the Taliban - and the same with bad faith actors online.

    They will make their bad faith arguments, but not face-to-face in a fair debate of ideas, but rather as surprise raids, sabotage, and subterfuge. And they will use the cover of blending in with the other villagers when you make a strong case and bring receipts.

    When 75% of people in the US don't like the right wing extremist ideas, like banning abortions for rape victims, the 25% CANNOT win the debate in a democracy by fighting fair, or debating in good faith. So they don't.

  • On the post: The Challenge In Content Moderation And Politics: How Do You Deal With Bad Faith Actors?

    Derek Kerton ( profile ), 03 Sep, 2021 @ 12:58pm

    Wait...I'm the Bad Guy?

    "But, turn that around and apply it to someone who is purposefully pushing the boundaries and gaming the system, whether trolling for lols or grifting gullible suckers, and suddenly you realize how such a request creates even more problems. Because the bad faith actor doesn't care. They don't actually want to learn what they did wrong to be better. They want to (1) cause problems for the site and (2) collect information so that next time, they can exploit that knowledge to engage in further bad acts without getting caught."

    This is exactly what many of us on the left or the actual Free Speech defenders are doing on Gettr, Parler, etc, or even the Texas Abortion Snitch Hotline. Our "side" goes in there and tries to flood their site with shit, porn, and furries. The goal is to make a joke of their platform, and we're just trying to play by the rules enough to be able to continue posting nonsense. In this way, we're very much using the techniques you describe.

    So, if we're being dicks - on purpose - how can we be the good guys?

    Well, in our defense: our motivation to push the boundaries on those sides is to reveal PRECISELY how those site's raison d'etre is a pile of steaming bullshit. The sites claim they had to leave Twitter, FB, et al because their "free speech" was being limited, so they created this site where "free speech rules the day". So, attacking them with piles of garbage speech is a direct attack on their hypocrisy. They, in fact, do try to block the garbage. They never were about free speech where garbage should be allowed to exist right beside brilliant prose. They were about flooding the zone with their BS, and they didn't like being told they couldn't. They said they were against moderation, so we prove them wrong. We FORCED them to admit, through their actions, that they are actually FOR moderation. This, ultimately, helps the earlier social sites make their case that private site moderation is necessary and a useful part of enabling speech.

    All they have to do to get us off their backs is admit they're not about free speech, but rather about promoting a specific narrative. Then, we'd probably get bored and move on.

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