cross-posted from: https://ttrpg.network/post/27970929
Recently the server staff received an e-mail telling them to moderate the Discord server and the server chat on what they deem to be “appropriate.”
Below is a message from owner of the server.
Free Speech Under Attack
Dear friends, I don’t often post announcements of this sort, but I feel it’s very important for you all to know what’s currently going on.
From the very start, over 15 years ago, one of the key founding principles of MinecraftOnline has been free speech. What started out as an uncontroversal, common sense policy, has proved to be a cornerstone of this increasingly unique community. As time has passed and Western society has wavered back and forth in its political leanings, free speech has repeatedly come under attack for political reasons. It has now become common to see arrests for posts on social media in countries such as Britain and Germany, in the name of political control, which have overtaken the numbers even of traditionally totalitarian countries such as China and Russia - a truly dystopian nightmare for freedom of expression and personal liberty.
Throughout this decade and a half of change, MinecraftOnline has held steadfast to its libertarian principles, and remained an oasis of freedom and openness in an increasingly closed and controlled internet. That is, until now.
Microsoft, through their subsidiary Mojang, have issued an ultimatum to MinecraftOnline. We have been told to do away with our free speech policy (which long pre-dates Microsoft’s acquisition of Mojang), within 7 days, or face a a permanent block. If that happens, nobody will be able to play on MinecraftOnline again, and the 15-year history of this beloved server will come to a sudden and bitter end. The full email we have received today, signed facelessly only as “Mojang Enforcement”, is included below.
The email makes extremely vague claims about “harmful interactions” and “harmful comments”, and we are asking Microsoft to clarify what specific interactions and comments they consider harmful. In the meantime, please spread the word, share this info on social media. Defend free speech.
-SlowRiot
The malignment of anyone supportive of free-speech with ‘obviously they’re bigots’ is a really dumb take that plays into the hands of oppressive governments.
Considering their examples of ‘free speech under attack’ being the UK and Germany - places that have absolutely stomped on Palestine-support protesters over the last few years, I think your assumptions could be completely off base.
They are not using Microsoft’s official systems at all - this is an expensive self-hosted services that they run, so maybe, instead of jumping to comment and saying “I don’t even need to read Mojangs statement” you probably should next time.
Free speech doesnt mean you can selfishly say anything you feel like. Humans are social creatures, words are real and have meaning and impact. Clearly the admins of this server can’t tell the nuance of that, and are just petulant children upset someone told them they were hurting other people and should stop.
It pretty much does, actually. I doubt your understanding of free speech.
Expression that merely offends doesn’t harm.
Ahh the nuance is killing me!
Not sure where your second quote comes from, but I’m sure you really showed me or something.