> I am asking you to look at the bigger picture
> My problem with looking at things through such a small lens is that “merit” seems pretty subjective
Ok, the bigger picture with a bigger lens is this: How do you slow the spread of harmful ideas?
You agree that some ideas are "better" than others. I think you would also agree that there is no simple definition over what "better" exactly means. It's complex and often elicits complex discussion.
My point, that you are trying again to skip over, is that presenting any idea as if it is inherently equal in merit to any other idea is fundamentally bad. To be specific, I think this because I believe that good ideas will eventually prove themselves out over time (even if they spread very slowly) while bad ideas will tend to rely on rapid spread to reach critical mass before they are disproven.
Do you just want me to tell you that I think you're right? I don't really see this thread going anywhere productive. You seem to be arguing a purely philosophical position, and if I "changed the subject" to relate your position to TFA, then my bad.
Meanwhile, facebook is using the actions described in TFA to ban anti-lockdown accounts in germany. Just like my hypothetical, but in a different country!
My position remains: opinions do not all have equal merit and because of that should not all be given equal weight. And that there is some level at which an opinion can be so low-merit that comparing it to a conflicting high-merit opinion as if they are equal becomes disingenuous and harmful.
Ok, the bigger picture with a bigger lens is this: How do you slow the spread of harmful ideas?
You agree that some ideas are "better" than others. I think you would also agree that there is no simple definition over what "better" exactly means. It's complex and often elicits complex discussion.
My point, that you are trying again to skip over, is that presenting any idea as if it is inherently equal in merit to any other idea is fundamentally bad. To be specific, I think this because I believe that good ideas will eventually prove themselves out over time (even if they spread very slowly) while bad ideas will tend to rely on rapid spread to reach critical mass before they are disproven.