Antisocial Networking

Old Man Morger knew right from the start.

“Far as I’m concerned these social media sites are among the worst inventions in human history. Making our country into one giant middle school.”

Morger’s dead and gone, reached that conclusion long before the billionaire owner of one of the biggest of these sites announced his company will no longer fact-check content, claiming the move will curb censorship on the online platforms under his control.

That’s hogwash. Fact-checking is about flagging lies, nothing more, nothing less. Pointing out lies is not censorship. Lying is to free expression what stealing is to shopping. Cracking down on shoplifting is not a restraint on commerce. And one billionaire bowing to another with a severe allergy to truth telling is not a celebration of freedom, it’s a noxious blend of cowardice and mutual back scratching.

In response to all this, I see quite a few now saying they’re deleting their Facebook accounts as a means of protest. Strikes me as a rather empty …