The Law is not (so much of) a Twit

To contradict part of my blog post on the 23rd of February this year ('The Law is a Twit'), it seems that things have moved on apace. Today we hear that Twitter will, after all, be prepared to hand over details of 'Twitterers' who break the law on 'Gagging' orders; if requested to do so by legal authorities. (However, the big chiefs at Twitter have said that they will inform such Twitterers beforehand so that, presumably, said people can close their accounts/run a mile or whatever, before the authorities catch up with them.)

It was difficult to see how things could have panned out otherwise. Although some representatives of the Twitter organisation were initially suggesting that Twitter would not reveal details of these 'Gossippers' or 'Slanderers' (depending upon how much money, power and influence is deemed to be at stake); it was hard to see how Twitter could be treated any differently in Law than any other type of Media. It followed from this, that if Twitter did not 'play ball' with the legal authorities, the organisation would have lost a great deal of credibility; not just in this country, but also globally.

Earlier in the week, some people said that Twitter is no more to blame for what appears on the site than the comments made on an old-style soapbox or over a garden fence. Also that as Twitter is 'not a publisher', that was another reason why the organisation was not 'responsible' for its content in the same way as a newspaper. Interesting arguments - which may be continue to be explored - but for the moment, the Super Injunction is King.

The old school playground chant "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" needs to be updated to include the postscript "especially if I have a Super Injunction to silence my critics"

Monday Morning Motivation

My local health club has just sent me an email with some 'motivational words'. I can well do with this today - the first 'normal' Monday morning for weeks; what with Easter and Royal Wedding Bank Holiday malarkey. Perhaps that's why I'm feeling a teensy weensy bit low and finding it difficult to 'get going'. So I'm hoping these magic words and phrases will help:

Motivating Words

• "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself" – George Bernard Shaw
• "Now is the right time." – Lotus Sutra
• Life is an ever shifting kaleidoscope: A slight change and all patterns alter." – Sharon Salzberg
• "Don't be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams." – Proverbs
• "Never, never, never give up." – Winston Churchill