Comment by card_zero

Comment by card_zero 18 hours ago

They did try to, as well, in Manvers. Can't remember if this was before or after her post, and presumably they weren't really following her instructions, but given the high probability that her post might cause somebody to set a hotel on fire, it seems that she could have been convicted even under US law.

"Bins were set alight and pushed against fire exits"

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyj2nlw9wgo

dissent 15 hours ago

Some people broke the law, and the poster can be held accountable for successful incitement. It's not the post that broke the law per se.

You can yell fire in a crowded theatre. Just hope you don't cause a panic or you'll be in trouble.

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card_zero 14 hours ago

Well, the test is if it's directed to and likely to cause a panic (in the US). So if you avoid causing a panic by sheer luck - like something counteracts your yelling and everybody settles down again, and that's the only reason nobody was crushed - you're still in trouble.
Though moral luck is certainly a thing in general, where negligence and risk-taking is not a crime until it goes wrong.

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- dissent 14 hours ago
  
  Aware of the US distinction, and it's mostly sensible. I believe in the US you actually can yell "fire" in a crowded theatre and if nothing happens, you'll be given the benefit of the doubt. As it should be.
  Anything else a genuinely slippery slope.
  
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nativeit 14 hours ago

> You can yell fire in a crowded theatre. Just hope you don't cause a panic or you'll be in trouble.
But what if laws get interpreted through an ideological lens, and the person shouting happens to be a fellow member of the "Pro-Trampling Party"?

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- dissent 14 hours ago
  
  Then that'll be factored in as intent and they'll be held accountable for the consequences - not the speech itself.
  The important part is that yelling "fire" is fine if the entire theatre laughs it off.
  
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