[ih] Fw: Free Speech and ARPAnet?

[Alex McKenzie]

There is a book by Hauben & Hauben, the title includes the word "Netizens", which as I recall deals with free speech issues in the "early days".  

Maybe this will help,Alex McKenzie
   

   From: "Belin, Daniel" <dbelin at dbelin.net>
 To: internet-history at postel.org 
 Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 6:49 PM
 Subject: [ih] Free Speech and ARPAnet?
   
Hello, all!
Today, the Washington Post published an editorial by Ellen Pao, in which she asserted, "The Internet started as a bastion for free expression."
This piqued my interest, as I felt it was an inaccurate characterization. My understanding was always that the early research focused on improving network facilities for research collaboration, and that these issues of free speech really didn't start to come to the forefront until the 1990s when the Internet began to take root in society. However, I wasn't there, so I respectfully pose these questions to you all:
What were the attitudes towards speech/appropriate conduct early in the ARPAnet project? Was an environment of collegiality and respect generally expected?
Were there any incidents that led to either a written or de facto content policy on ARPAnet? Were there individual policies enacted by the institutions that were connected to ARPAnet?
When did the Internet emerge as a "bastion for free expression"? Was this area of the Internet's societal impact explored before the Internet became broadly publicly available? 
I'd be really honored to hear your perspectives on this, and would appreciate any you could provide.
With cordial thanks,
Dan Belin
_______________________________________+1(703) 209-9608 | @dfbelin | danielbel.in

  
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