Regulating social media is kind of like building the wall: we’re in an emergency situation that has been created by decades of irresponsible and anti-American government policy, so a rather drastic solution is required now, if we don’t want to avoid a disaster.

The problem with social media at the moment is that it lies in the hands of Corporations.

Most people don’t know the first thing about the monstrosity of American Corporations. I barely know more than that myself. But it’s a fact that they would not even remotely exist as they do now without massive protections from the government.

Removing the protections that Facebook, Twitter, and Google enjoys might solve these problems, but the fact remains that they are operating under government protection to do things that the government is not supposed to be doing.

I mean, it’s bad enough when the government directly violates your rights to free speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and so on (which the American government most certainly has, repeatedly, ever since the beginning), but at least people understand that a bit clearer when it’s coming from the courts and the police.

So, what do we do?

One thing is to pursue direct alternatives. Yes, the big boys are big, but even protected corporations don’t have an infinite lifespan. There are additional problems to solve with this approach, but to not try is to accept defeat before even glancing at your sword.

Another is to stop using the big platforms. I get it, that’s where “everybody” is. Well, but no, not everybody is there. And if you’re spending time there, sinking hours of your life into a site whose owners hate you and everything you stand for, then you’re the sucker for building your house on sand.

Beyond this, we need to hold these companies liable, just as we would hold the government liable. They have established themselves as the Commons. Hence, they had better act like the damned Commons or be dismantled.