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Comment by theseatoms | Hacker News Reader

Only to unreasonable people.

Which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't form the majority (or at least appear-to, judging by the net-effect of everyone interacting in the public-sphere).

Like @zo1 said, we don't really know the real landscape either. Just think of how little it takes to silence someone like Marc Andreessen. Now think of all the commentary people in tech don't say, especially on social issues, because the online masses with pitchforks will be after you.

Unfortunately that's the way it is for a lot of people after a certain point. The only counter example of this in tech I can think of is David Heinemeier Hansson.

>Just think of how little it takes to silence someone like Marc Andreessen

Hyperbole much? He wasn't silenced in the slightest (which would be difficult to do, given the amount of money, i.e. power he has).

Okay everyone took this a bit too literally. Obviously I don't mean he was literally silenced. But I would bet he's self-censoring a bit more: "I now withdraw from all future discussions of Indian economics and politics, and leave them to people with more knowledge and experience!" which was then followed by five tweets to explain the original tweet. That kind of reaction has to influence his willingness to speak on other topics not directly related to tech.

> silence

If getting a deleted tweet reprinted in several tech publications and on the top of HN is being "silenced", I would love to be silenced more.

Check my other reply. Not a literal silence but a pressure from the masses to self censor a bit more if your opinions aren't always PC.

Once again, Killer Mike said it best: "Now don't be silly / Who the fuck gon' bully me if I got a billi?"

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