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Greg Laemmle on deactivating Laemmle Theatres’ Twitter accounts.

December 13, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore

From Laemmle Theatres President Greg Laemmle:

My wife’s uncle Bert has been guiding a Sunday morning family Zoom that started up during the early days of the pandemic.  While listening in, I have often heard him repeat a guiding principle for the group discussion.  Before speaking, ask yourself these questions:

1.) Is it true?
2.) Is it kind?
3.) Is it necessary?

A quick online search provides a number of different attributions.  This could come to us from Socrates (via Plato).  Another version is attributed to the great Sufi mystic, Rumi.  Or maybe it comes from radio host Bernard Meltzer …who may have picked it up from any number of Buddhist sources.  Whatever the origin, the point is that across multiple cultures and philosophic traditions, we are urged to think before we speak.

And then there’s the platform formerly known as Twitter.

While Twitter has always had a confrontational side, adequate content moderation kept rancid contributors in check, allowing it to better serve more positive activities like fostering community, encouraging democracy, providing a space for underserved voices, and allowing for a bit of irreverent fun. However, since its sale last year, Twitter is increasingly a bullhorn for hate and harassment, and the unfettered dissemination of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and outright lies. The new owner, who has loudly proclaimed himself a “free speech absolutist,” recently crossed a dangerous line into fascist hypocrisy by suing journalists for using their free speech rights to point out how corporations’ ads are appearing next to neo-Nazi content.  He regularly amplifies hateful posts and memes to his 164 million followers and for his latest provocation he has re-platformed the ghoulish torturer of Sandy Hook families, Alex Jones.

Twitter is not the only problematic platform.  Social media in general has encouraged disinhibition, contributing to a coarsening of public discourse. But whatever their faults (and crimes), at least these other platforms are working to improve so that they can have a greater positive influence.  Twitter has crossed into territory where the bad most definitely outweighs the good.  And from what we can see, they are aiming to go even lower.

At Laemmle Theatres, we have a high degree of tolerance for diverse and provocative voices.  But this chorus is offered in the hope that our community will be enriched by open discourse.  It is the exact opposite of the negative and hateful commentary that has become the bread and butter of Twitter.

At this time, we are deactivating our accounts on Twitter.  We hope to return, but only after serious efforts have been undertaken to provide greater content moderation and to root out hate speech.  This is not a First Amendment issue.  The Constitution limits the government’s ability to restrict speech.  But as a private platform, Twitter has the right (and responsibility) to restrict the most extreme and hateful speech.  They just don’t want to.

To connect with us on other platforms, visit laemmle.com/connect.

And for the New Year, let’s all make a resolution to better follow Uncle Bert’s maxim.  Whether in person or online, always remember the three rules when communicating.  Be truthful and kind, and always try to only say what is necessary for a listener to hear.

Greg Laemmle

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Filed Under: Claremont 5, Glendale, Greg Laemmle, Newhall, NoHo 7, Royal, Santa Monica, Theater Buzz, Town Center 5

15 Comments
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Brooke
Brooke
1 year ago

Great decision. The current Twitter management, as with all fascist elements, show a great disrespect to art and what makes Laemmle great. It’s nice to see Laemmle associate itself with serious adults and distance itself from reactionary platforms.

0
Matthew Wilder
Matthew Wilder
1 year ago

I would hope that purveyors of much fine art would also cherish free speech. Alas, the Laemmle organization appears to have guzzled a lot of conventional-wisdom Kool Ade. I expect these words from a Santa Monica cat lady but not this corporation.

-1
Reynold926
Reynold926
1 year ago

Well said Greg. Thank you for your leadership.

0
mary misc
mary misc
1 year ago

Well said. Thank you!

0
Pacas Pat
Pacas Pat
1 year ago

Sticks and stones
can break my bones
but words can never
hurt me

0
Georg
Georg
Reply to  Pacas Pat
1 year ago

This is a child’s response that perfectly captures the disrespect for others that has become commonplace.

1
George
George
Reply to  Pacas Pat
1 year ago

This response perfectly captures the disrespect for others that has become commonplace, and fuels the “free speech absolutists” on Twitter that get their feelings hurt when those words are directed at them.

I guess when you have nothing else in your life but to troll others online, this must seem hilarious.

1
Diana
Diana
1 year ago

The corporate governments may monitor and edit their own employees or kind; aka… their “citizens.” The governments job is uphold the Constitutions which are government contracts for their specified duties or obligations for the American people. The American people are the lawmakers and the Employers of these corporate entities calling themselves government. The people vote to decide and the Representatives in government are set in place to administrate the process of Public Law and not use democracy or mob rule or legal avarice and greed to decide for the people. Democracy may be what these corporate municipal and federal governments use for their internal purposes but do not belong projected on the public. We all want right action and it is up to us to act appropriately. What people post displays their character and is beneficial in assessing where you chose to post or people you want to collaborate with. Therefore it is not Twitters or any Government agency or franchise to decide the thoughts and words of the people. They may control their own Fictions they created unlawfully but they can not control the living man or woman.The people have General Jurisdiction and not Company or Corporation or man or woman has any right to overshadow another living in General Jurisdiction which, on the land and soil of the union states in America is the highest Jurisdiction and holds the highest standing in public law.

0
Peter Lange
Peter Lange
1 year ago

Love this decision. In an era where human empathy is transactional at best it falls to all people of conscious to just say “No, I wont play your reindeer games.”

3
Pacas Pat
Pacas Pat
Reply to  Peter Lange
1 year ago

How in the world do you associate “Ruldolph” as a game?

0
doug kriegel
doug kriegel
1 year ago

Excellent approach

3
Eva
Eva
1 year ago

Why are movies like the MusKateer (sp) movIe be shown at the Royal Movie theatre? Why aren’t there move historical or Docs shown as they used to be? Certain movies are not held over such as Bergman movies…Fanny /Alexandra?
Most of the movies demonstrated on the billboard inside the Theatre will probably be shown elsewhere!…….(What has happened to the famous ROYAL?) Important or famous movies, old or new are not presented as a constant anymore……………………

1
Pacas Pat
Pacas Pat
Reply to  Eva
1 year ago

During the pandemic Independant movie makers were restricted as were most film productions along with many businesses who collapsed and are no longer because of the “government mandated closures”.But there are many documentaries out now, 2023, and I’m sure things will catch up and there will be more to come soon. Have you tried other Lammle theatres? A drive to another location may satisfy you. If your short on gasoline $ most public buses will get you to any Laemmle.

0
Robert N.
Robert N.
1 year ago

Twitter chooses not to be responsible.

Laemmle Theatres can make its own choice to no longer drive traffic to Twitter by using it.

Why give free content to a site that hurts others?

7
Pacas Pat
Pacas Pat
Reply to  Robert N.
1 year ago

only weak people are hurt by words

0

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