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I think the whole reason is why we are having such an issue with the freedom of speech today is that this, just as many other "fundamental" rights, were invente
by anovikov 6y ago
I think the whole reason is why we are having such an issue with the freedom of speech today is that this, just as many other "fundamental" rights, were invented in a time when purely technological reasons created a certain threshold to their use.
In XVIII century, realising one's right to free speech meant say, printing a pamphlet. Which means a certain level of education because it would be a shame to print on paper some piece of utter bullshit, and some money to print and distribute it. Also, there was a certain threshold of audience too because by far not everyone could read - and thus utter bullshit was unlikely to pass. And just shouting in the corner won't agitate too many people.
In 1922, that changed with mass propagation of the radio - and Mussolini reaped all benefits of it - it is entirely unsurprising that totalitarianism was first born in Italy which wasn't such a prepared ground for it as defeated and destroyed Germany or Russia - it happened simply because commercial radio, being invented by Guglielmo Marconi, first became a thing there.
Now, Facebook and Twitter let bullshit make another bold step.
Same thing can be said about right of free movement: when it took a lot of time and money to travel on a sailing boat, it was OK - now it is entirely different thing - so right of free movement no longer exists.
I'll go on to say that probably, all human rights are subject to that rule: they are a benefit for everyone only as long as few are practically able to exercise them.