Otherwise Objectionable Episode 5: Blowback, and the Dust Settles
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Apr 9, 2025 Randall Bowe, a lawyer who challenged the Communications Decency Act, dives into the turbulent history of internet regulation. He shares riveting tales of the legal battles that upheld free speech online and the implications of Section 230. Bowe also reflects on the chaotic early days of social media giants, discussing user engagement and content moderation challenges. His insights highlight how past rulings transformed the digital landscape and continue to shape interactions on platforms today.
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Challenging Online Censorship
- Joe Shea reprinted George Carlin's "seven dirty words" monologue online to challenge censorship.
- They argued that internet speech restrictions infringed on free speech rights.
Supreme Court Defends Free Speech
- The Supreme Court struck down the Communications Decency Act's indecency provisions.
- It recognized that the law cast a dark shadow over free speech and threatened the internet community.
AOL's Growth and Spam Fight
- AOL switched to unlimited pricing, causing a surge in user-generated content on message boards.
- Randall Bowe handled legal challenges and even seized a spammer's Porsche to combat junk email.