Internet Censorship

I think that if we decide to join a site then we should also be aware that it is THEIR site, they make the rules and we have to stick by them, If we don't agree with them then we should not join. If we want to discuss topics that they do not allow then we should start our own site maybe? I see that you lost a post here too which did not comply with the Guidelines here either. I hope you are aware of them before posting further topics so that you will not be wasting your time.

Actually MyLot isn't against the competition, they are against spamming, many people would take advantage of the opportunity to "discuss" their money making opportunities, and monopolize the boards, there by reducing the amount of users. I don't understand how someone can spend hours here and only make 10 cents, anytime I spend more then an hour, in MyLot, I make more then 50cents. And like most other programs, the referrals are where the big money is. With Appreciation.

I have come across the accusation that 'censorship' occurs on the Internet, especially in forums, many times. It is very usually caused by a misconception of our role in relation to the website in question. In essence, EVERY website is 'private property' and is owned and managed by the people who set it up. If the public is allowed to post on the site, they are there as guests and strictly under the Terms and Conditions which most websites publish. This is no different, really, from the situation that pertains in any shop, bar or other 'public' place in the land. Where ever we go we are generally governed by some kind of 'Terms and Conditions'. They may be the general laws of the society that we live in or they may be specific to the place in which we are accepted as a customer or user. Some of these 'Terms and Conditions' we accept without much thought because they are eminently sensible (and because they are seen to protect us as much as they do other people), others we may find less reasonable but, because they are the rules by which someone chooses to run their establishment and because we are members or users of that establishment and our status is always one of 'guest', we must accept them or not use the facility. If I run a restaurant and insist that my customers dress in a certain way, I may lose trade but I am at perfect liberty to impose and enforce restrictions. The same applies to any website or forum. When joining, you implicitly accept the Terms and Conditions (often by merely checking a box). That does not give you the right to be selective about them: it is a case of "all or nothing" and if you subsequently choose to ignore one or more of the Terms because you think them 'restrictive', then the site in question has every right to take whatever action against you that it sees fit. The various definitions of Fascism have become so tortuous, diverse and sometimes laboured that it could almost be argued that any system of rules imposed from above is a form of Fascism. The accusation, however, is usually made in a highly subjective manner to those rules with which we disagree and this, I would argue, is exactly the kind of accusation you are making here. We only have your word for it, of course, that the post which was deleted was removed, as you say, "simply because they felt it was fostering competition." That sounds, frankly, more to be the interpretation you choose to put on it than any restriction which is really framed in the Terms of any site I can think of. In fact, in order to make your point, you have deliberately omitted to mention certain salient facts - the site in question, the exact nature of the post and the actual reason given by the site for the removal of the post. It is good business practice to welcome competition and MyLot as well as many other sites actively do this. However, it transcends the bounds of decency to allow anyone to post adverse (and unwarranted) criticism of the site in question merely in order to promote a competing site, especially if the person posting has a vested interest in promoting the other site. It would be the same as if I were to walk into a Walmart store with a loudhailer and begin telling all and sundry how they are being ripped off by Walmart and that they should shop next door in the store which I own (or am remunerated by). I suspect that this, in essence, was the real nature of the post that was deleted. My advice to you, is to fully understand what the site - any site - exists for and to understand and accept your role and status in the site (and in society in general). Once you have established your reputation as an adult member of any society and have proved that you can accept slings and arrows with equanimity, then, perhaps, it may be appropriate to venture considered criticism of any particular policy.

i think it depends...so considering that the majority of sources and websites on the internet can be reached to everyone so websites will approve te tos to prevent some use not really right for the service and some behaviour from other members!!so in the majority of cases it can be ok may be in other can be a little bit exaggerated but you can decide before joining..

Interesting. I had a discussion here deleted about a year and a half ago. It was about another site that had banned me, and the comments from my friends on here, as well as a mod from that site who came over here attacking people, were really hilarious. When I asked myLot why it was deleted, they said they were discouraging posts that "dissed other sites". First and last time I ever saw that happen and it wasn't technically a guideline violation, so I was pretty annoyed.

It's rather normal that they eliminate the competition. If you own a site which is rather innovative in a new niche. You want to be the most succesful as long as possible simply because you make money. Then it's very simple to use your TOS to preserve your position in the niche. And most of the times they consider it as spam. If you want to use a link just use your signature. Can't say they do anything wrong. When you register, you agree with the Terms Of Service so you have to accept it, can't do anything about it.

I'm against censorship and fascism. Im me about the competition pleeze:)