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