Living up to his reputation, Anil Dash pens a thoughtful piece that puts some of the recent discussion on codes of conduct and free speech in a broader historical context, as much as historical exists in blogs. I agree with much of what he says. I would change one word -- trade out accountability for maturity. Like it or not, we are all participants in a very young medium, an immature one. Think blogs are tough on people? Look back at the days of the pamphleteers or the yellow press. Those mediums were young once, too, and acted their age. I tell people to not forget the "ing." Blogs and bloggers are evolving, not evolved. It's a hugely important distinction. Evolution is messy. Once it's done, it's static, safe, predictable. We are not there yet -- remember the "ing". There is a palpable hum and buzz of energy still crackling through the system, and often that energy is misdirected or abused by those who are immature.
The answer is not more codes of conducts. It is not shutting off comments. It's not organizing a counter mob to shame the original mobsters. In some ways, I think Jimmy Wales is closer to the solution in the way his organization deals with trolls in Wikipedia than anything suggested in the last day or so.
I am less pessimistic than Anil about the threat to the medium we now face, possibly because I've not encountered the level of threat and hysteria that he and others have. Everyone breathe, mature voices speak up, quietly and with authority, lead by example and demonstrate tolerance, rebuke when needed. And those entering into the virtual public square should do so with eyes open, seeing both the good and the bad.