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> Conversely, if laws have no meaning, what makes them think that the concept of free speech is protected by law? It's turtles all the way down. Nothing. There
by garbagetime 6y ago
> Conversely, if laws have no meaning, what makes them think that the concept of free speech is protected by law? It's turtles all the way down.
Nothing. There are some aspects where US law is pretty well aligned with the principles of freedom of speech, and others where it isn't aligned at all. For example: A significant percentage of speech is carried out on social media, where US law does not require free speech to be enforced - but, according to the principles of freedom of expression, free speech is very valuable.
- bobthepanda 6y agoGenerally speaking the US Constitution restricts the actions of government, and not anybody else. E.g. you can preach with a megaphone whatever you want on the sidewalk; you can't do it in my living room without my consent. Also people tend to forget that freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences; limiting consequences of speech, even if it were desirable, can start restricting others' freedom of expression and association. If Bob gets on a stump and starts spewing controversial hate speech his employer is perfectly free to not want to associate with that behavior and fire him.