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My observation about free speech: It's a cyclical thing. "I disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is one side, and "P
by phendrenad2 4y ago
My observation about free speech: It's a cyclical thing.
"I disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is one side, and "People must be protected from wrongthink" is the other side. Our democratic societies cycle back and forth between them, like clockwork. Often in the process, the "left" and "right" side of the traditional political spectrum swap stances on free speech (sometimes multiple times). In the 1950s, when McCarthyism was rampant, it was the left that wanted the right to free expression, even if it meant protecting communist agitators. Now, it's the left that wants strict rules on what can be said, because Trumpism made them think that wrongthink itself is a threat to democracy. It'll swap back, in time. It always does.