reclaimthenet on Nostr: It’s obvious that power, money, and influence shape narratives, and that platforms ...

It’s obvious that power, money, and influence shape narratives, and that platforms like X are being pulled in multiple directions by competing interests. But if the solution is to "burn it all down," what exactly replaces it? Authoritarianism and censorship? Rule by a self-proclaimed enlightened few? If you justify censorship, you also have to make sure that those in power see things your way. Every historical attempt at "fixing democracy" by replacing it with a more "efficient" system has ended in mass repression, violence, and even more manipulation of the public. These things will always be true no matter what. There will always be a power structure.

Yes, propaganda is real, and yes, most people are easily swayed by emotion-driven narratives. But the alternative to free speech isn’t "better governance" — it’s centralized control over what is acceptable to think and say. And those same powerful forces you despise? They thrive in those conditions. The more control governments and corporations have over speech, the easier it is for them to manufacture consent without resistance. That's why decentralization is important because there is less centralized and corporate control.

If you’re worried about people being manipulated, the answer isn’t to take away their say in governance. It’s to educate them, expose them to more viewpoints, and demand accountability from those in power. Censorship doesn’t stop manipulation — it just makes it easier for the most powerful actors to dominate the narrative without challenge.