Free markets eventually and almost inevitably butt heads with free speech principles, particularly in cases like these. That is to say, economic interests don't always align with any of our political or social principles.
Google censoring you guys without explanation is bad enough. But the "you've been warned" part is next level. Thus, I get the outrage. But I am also reminded of an episode from the old Flintstones: "I'm the only caterer in town." It's a vibe that seems to resonate here.
Obviously a calculation has been made. Google would rather you go away/complain incessantly/campaign against them/compete against them/etc. than go to war with the Zeitgeist. While it may be f'd up on your end, it's quite tricky on theirs.
There aren't that many companies with trillion-dollar market caps. It's almost awkward to call Google a company for it is so much more than that--it's an institution. Half the world's population uses it. More importantly, it's roots are American, and they would rather look oversensitive than bigoted.
Google is not Elon-Twitter. They gain nothing if they appear to be endorsing anything resembling unbridled anti-transgender rhetoric. That said, I cannot excuse their lack of transparency. For if we don't know the rules, how can we play?
Interesting conversation. Zero panaceas.
Free markets eventually and almost inevitably butt heads with free speech principles, particularly in cases like these. That is to say, economic interests don't always align with any of our political or social principles.
Google censoring you guys without explanation is bad enough. But the "you've been warned" part is next level. Thus, I get the outrage. But I am also reminded of an episode from the old Flintstones: "I'm the only caterer in town." It's a vibe that seems to resonate here.
Obviously a calculation has been made. Google would rather you go away/complain incessantly/campaign against them/compete against them/etc. than go to war with the Zeitgeist. While it may be f'd up on your end, it's quite tricky on theirs.
There aren't that many companies with trillion-dollar market caps. It's almost awkward to call Google a company for it is so much more than that--it's an institution. Half the world's population uses it. More importantly, it's roots are American, and they would rather look oversensitive than bigoted.
Google is not Elon-Twitter. They gain nothing if they appear to be endorsing anything resembling unbridled anti-transgender rhetoric. That said, I cannot excuse their lack of transparency. For if we don't know the rules, how can we play?
Then again, maybe that's the point.