Saturday, April 24, 2010

If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head!

And censorship is pretty bloody nasty, too!

 

If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head!

We still have no clue what happened. All of the group members got the same warning. Its not a copyright on our logo because that symbol is public domain. Its not the horrible kitten torture video that someone posted either. When content like that is removed, only the poster gets the warning. We have had tons of breastfeeding pictures removed but it hasn't sent a warning out to everyone before.

This is a response from an eponymous facebook group, of which I am a member, that encourages the freedom of women to breastfeed in public, when and as they wish. Someone has tried to shutdown the site by claiming it contravenes intellectual property laws. This is analogous to attempts to use legalistic arguments and methods such as law suits to silence critics of companies and other groups. I think the onus should be on the accuser to prove it. While online forums are ultimately private owned, they seem to be forming a new kind of digital commons, becaue they have to address the concerns of those that make them happen. 


This significance is that members of the breastfeeding group didn't give in, or quit Facebook. They are arguing for the legitimacy of the group, and demanding that anonymous accusers have to prove their point. This indicates a social "ownership". 

 Legally, FB seems to have created their own turf, and you function there as guest, in their view. However, the relationship is more complex, because they represent your digital persona. I regret I didn't research the literature on this topic before I posted, perhaps you all can add some other thoughtful writing on the subject of who own social media?

 
"If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."
-E.M. Forster