[Discussion] Ban Q-Anon content?

[Giovenith]

Only illiterate redneck hillbillies embrace Qanon . They cannot read or write anyway.

*** Warned for Trolling ***

[Night Kingdoms]

We should criticize them, but banning thme is a bit extreme

[Reploid Productions]

Another angle to consider is that "Is Q-anon content already covered under the existing rules?" Much like people calling themselves Nazis, flat-Earthers, Scientologists, etc, users who hold or favor extremist beliefs have an increasingly difficult time articulating those beliefs in a way that isn't somehow trolling, flaming, or otherwise rulebreaking. This may be a case where perhaps the rules don't need adjusting, but rather their enforcement does.

For example:

• Q-Anon flags. Is Q-Anon inextricably linked to advocating violence akin to the Nazi swastika?
• How about Q-anon themed regions and nation names? We allow "Nazi" regions/nations, but come down hard on the ones that try to openly support IRL violence. Should Q-anon regions/nations get similar treatment?
• Q-anon conspiracy sites (including Q-anon YT channels) are already on the forbidden links list, perhaps that could be made clearer/louder?

Q-anon itself is a newsworthy topic that will most certainly continue to be discussed and debated in the coming months, and discussion about the movement itself probably shouldn't be prohibited. But there is certainly room to argue that maybe moderation should be coming down a lot harder on supporters of Q-anon when they invariably break the site rules, much like we already do for other extremist ideologies.

(Also, not gonna lie, but I am honestly surprised that we have NOT had anything Q-anon related on NS to merit going to the FBI with it ourselves thus far. You would figure that if the insurrectionists have been bold enough to brag on social media about it that if any NSers were part of that they likely would have bragged here too!)

[Tinhampton]

Q-anon conspiracy sites (including Q-anon YT channels) are already on the forbidden links list

They are? I quote the relevant OSRS section in full:

Referral links (where you derive some sort of financial or other benefit) such as Cyber-war, Outwar, plus all other variants. In addition, certain sites are expressly prohibited, specifically (but not exclusively) 4chan, kevan.org, ebaumsworld, albinoblacksheep, plasticnipple, Encyclopaedia Dramatica, A Voice For Men, and Fred Phelps' godhates<group> hate-mongering sites are not allowed. Use discretion when linking to another site.

Few people would associate Q with a traditional referral-linking scheme, so it must therefore be categorised under "certain sites." The criteria for a website or group of websites to be inducted into the latter list is unclear (to the point that, for what it's worth and as far as I know, Plastic Nipple remains on the list despite not having been online in any significant form since 2016). How can we deduce from the current list of "certain sites" that "Q-anon conspiracy sites (including Q-anon YT channels)" are among their number?

[The Reformed American Republic]

How can we deduce from the current list of "certain sites" that "Q-anon conspiracy sites (including Q-anon YT channels)" are among their number?

Agreed, it doesn't read like they're banned, though to be honest, that rule could be worded much more clearly.

[Atheris]

I don't think it should be censored. The only way to truly destroy an ideology is to publicly discredit it at every turn, after all.

Should they be criticized? Absolutely. But banning them is way too far.

[Spiritual Republic of Caryton]

If you ban these crazies, you had better ban the radical leftists who promoted the insurrections in the early months of 2020. If there's even a smidge of hypocrisy in 'who gets to be extreme', you're giving either side more fuel to act out.

[Odreria]

Are they going to ban those wacko trump-russia conspiracy theories as well?

[Anglicora]

That being said if QAnon content is banned because of extremism, why not ban Christianity? or Islam? or Atheism? Almost every movement large enough has violent fringes.

Because as a whole, Qanon is pure extremism (i.e. absolute batshit crazy bullshit; no room for logical thinking whatsoever). Don't tell me you think that those religions listed are pure extremism.

I disagree. It is crazy and stupid but pretty in-line with Trumpist Nativism.

That being said if QAnon content is banned because of extremism, why not ban Christianity? or Islam? or Atheism? Almost every movement large enough has violent fringes.

You do know that the KKK is literally disliked by many Christians right? We are against racism.

EDIT: With that said I don't think we should ban Islam nor Christianity just because a few extremists give them a bad name.

Yes, I agree with you.

Q-Anon flags. Is Q-Anon inextricably linked to advocating violence akin to the Nazi swastika?

If judged so it will just revive accusations of hypocrisy since the USSR flag isn't banned.

[Ethel mermania]

Sure, ban antifa too.

[Shanzie]

Sure, ban antifa too.

Ugh... dumb response. Antifa is not a movement.

[Ethel mermania]

Sure, ban antifa too.

Ugh... dumb response. Antifa is not a movement.

Safe to say, you missed the point.

[Atheris]

Sure, ban antifa too.

Ugh... dumb response. Antifa is not a movement.

The point's over there, chief.

[RiderSyl]

Shifting the discussion away from right-wing extremism with mentions of ANTIFA may be a tried-and-true political tactic, but I don't think it's constructive in the context of a discussion in moderation. If ANTIFA ever commits an act on par with the storming of the American capitol with the aim of the execution of the Vice President, the House Speaker, and other political leaders, then I'm sure the discussion to ban ANTIFA content will come up here. Until then, though, everyone should leave the political posturing in NS General, imo.


Looking at the issue purely objectively - I think you have to compare QAnon content to ISIS content. Both groups use the internet to spread their propaganda, they both have the same twisted religious extremes (ISIS with the Muslim faith, QAnon with the Christian faith), both take advantage of resentment towards liberal government, and both are modern groups.

In the end, I think a ban on QAnon content could serve to protect NS against any influx of digital refugees from the ongoing deplatforming. God forbid that one of the nuts finds this site and they flock here before NS staff have rules in place to stop the ruination.

[Ethel mermania]

Shifting the discussion away from right-wing extremism with mentions of ANTIFA may be a tried-and-true political tactic, but I don't think it's constructive in the context of a discussion in moderation. If ANTIFA ever commits an act on par with the storming of the American capitol with the aim of the execution of the Vice President, the House Speaker, and other political leaders, then I'm sure the discussion to ban ANTIFA content will come up here. Until then, though, everyone should leave the political points-scoring in NS General, imo.

So then we leave the examination of the whys out of the debate on them and just ignore qanon exists?

[Crabaiaia]

Many Leftist places like Hollywood are pretty pedophilic but they only choose to stay leftist because the ideology is so mainstream

Back in the 1950s, Hollywood was strictly anti-left, why? Because anti-leftism was a mainstream ideology back then.

It isn't about the political stances of pedophiles, pedophiles only pick certain ideologies because it gives them a grip on power.

Don't blame leftists for pedophilia, blame PEDOPHILES for Pedophilia.

-A right-Libertarian.

[Crabaiaia]

In short, QAnon is a stupid idea but it doesn't mean we should ban it as it only encourages people to join the movement rather than discourage them.

[Picairn]

Many Leftist places like Hollywood are pretty pedophilic but they only choose to stay leftist because the ideology is so mainstream

Back in the 1950s, Hollywood was strictly anti-left, why? Because anti-leftism was a mainstream ideology back then.

It isn't about the political stances of pedophiles, pedophiles only pick certain ideologies because it gives them a grip on power.

Don't blame leftists for pedophilia, blame PEDOPHILES for Pedophilia.

-A right-Libertarian.

What do pedophilia and leftism have to do with Q-Anon? Do you know discussions on pedophilia is forbidden?

[Disgraces]

Many Leftist places like Hollywood are pretty pedophilic but they only choose to stay leftist because the ideology is so mainstream

Back in the 1950s, Hollywood was strictly anti-left, why? Because anti-leftism was a mainstream ideology back then.

It isn't about the political stances of pedophiles, pedophiles only pick certain ideologies because it gives them a grip on power.

Don't blame leftists for pedophilia, blame PEDOPHILES for Pedophilia.

-A right-Libertarian.

What does that have to do with anything

[RiderSyl]

Shifting the discussion away from right-wing extremism with mentions of ANTIFA may be a tried-and-true political tactic, but I don't think it's constructive in the context of a discussion in moderation. If ANTIFA ever commits an act on par with the storming of the American capitol with the aim of the execution of the Vice President, the House Speaker, and other political leaders, then I'm sure the discussion to ban ANTIFA content will come up here. Until then, though, everyone should leave the political points-scoring in NS General, imo.

So then we leave the examination of the whys out of the debate on them and just ignore qanon exists?

I am fairly certain that a rule banning QAnon content would apply to those posting QAnon content, rather than applying to those having debates with subject matter related to the group. If moderation decides that a ban on QAnon content involves simply discussing it, don't fret, as I'll join you in the backlash.

[Crabaiaia]

Many Leftist places like Hollywood are pretty pedophilic but they only choose to stay leftist because the ideology is so mainstream

Back in the 1950s, Hollywood was strictly anti-left, why? Because anti-leftism was a mainstream ideology back then.

It isn't about the political stances of pedophiles, pedophiles only pick certain ideologies because it gives them a grip on power.

Don't blame leftists for pedophilia, blame PEDOPHILES for Pedophilia.

-A right-Libertarian.

What do pedophilia and leftism have to do with Q-Anon? Do you know discussions on pedophilia is forbidden?

Isn't QAnon a theory that leftist, satanic pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump?

[RiderSyl]

What do pedophilia and leftism have to do with Q-Anon? Do you know discussions on pedophilia is forbidden?

Isn't QAnon a theory that leftist, satanic pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump?

QAnon is not a theory. It is an extremist cult.

[Disgraces]

What do pedophilia and leftism have to do with Q-Anon? Do you know discussions on pedophilia is forbidden?

Isn't QAnon a theory that leftist, satanic pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump?

Q anon is far right

[Crabaiaia]

Isn't QAnon a theory that leftist, satanic pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump?

QAnon is not a theory. It is an extremist cult.

Well it is internationally recognized as a "theory". But call it whatever you like.

[Crabaiaia]

Isn't QAnon a theory that leftist, satanic pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump?

Q anon is far right

I know.