[p2p-research] A slashdot post on Bill Gates that struck a nerve

[Paul D. Fernhout]

Michel Bauwens wrote:
> the issue of aspirational identity trumping more objective 'identity
> factors' is a perennial issue ..
> 
> but pointing out the true nature of any so-called 'objective' identity
> doesn't work ...
> 
> so you have to find a way to have the aspirational identities on your side
> ... which only works when the main system no longer delivers ...
> 
> in the meantime, work with those who already see through it ahead of the
> others,

That's sensible advice. :-)

For reference, I included the moderations below, showing the moderation 
going up, and then the millionare wannabee conservatives striking back, and 
then the peer network responding. So, there was some positive response too, 
and moderation back up (my main comment went up to the maximum of five, then 
down to about zero, then back to two).

The slashdot moderation system is supposed to be used to highlight 
interesting ideas, or to hide spam etc., and people who disagree are 
supposed to respond, not use the moderation system to hide ideas they 
disagree with (which is called "moderator abuse").

One meta-comment by another person:
  http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28847927
"""
Re:financial obesity? illness? What gall! (Score:2)
by MrKaos (858439) on Tuesday July 28, @01:14AM (#28847927) Journal
This is the most blatant example of moderator abuse I have seen on slashdot, 
every comment modded a troll. puuulease. It looks like the signs that 
Benjamin Franklin were talking about are happening right here and trite now, 
how glib. This sort of abuse illustrates that freedom of speech will be 
sacrificed to maintain the status quo. Dissent will not be tolerated and 
there will be enough 'Useful idiot's' out there to help crush that dissent. 
What a ironic example of how freedom is an illusion. You are free to comply, 
you are free to agree. If anyone is wondering what life was like just before 
Hitler came to power now you know. So buy more, STFU and die, that is all 
that is required of you.
"""

Ultimately, the peer system responded to the problem in a positive way.

Anyway, I can agree it is better to build up than tear down (Bucky Fuller 
said something similar). Alternative institutions are the future and, like 
new saplings, they will grow more when the old institutions wither and fall 
of their own problems. Though falling trees often take down others with them 
or fall or people or buildings, which is why professional tree surgeons are 
in demand to take down old trees in a safe way. :-)

--Paul Fernhout

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A user has moderated your comment "Interesting" (+1).
     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

Attached to:
     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
     http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/27/1315224

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A user has moderated your comment "Interesting" (+1).
     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

Attached to:
     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
     http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/27/1315224

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A user has moderated your comment "Overrated" (-1).
     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

Attached to:
     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
     http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/27/1315224

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A user has moderated your comment "Interesting" (+1).
     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

Attached to:
     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
     http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/27/1315224

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A user has moderated your comment "Interesting" (+1).
     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

Attached to:
     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
     http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/27/1315224

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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837517

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837517

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837517

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:What you don't get...
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Re:Bill Gates wrote to me for money in 1976
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28837221

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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A user has moderated your comment "Insightful" (+1).
     Re:financial obesity? illness? What gall!
     http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1316287&cid=28840839

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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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     Bill Gates Remembers 1979
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