3 ms·

Why have I never heard this argument applied to the concept of free speech?

• rendang 3y ago
  Because software is often sold/licensed for money and "speech" isn't?
  • squigz 3y ago
    Sponsorships seem to counter that point
• kelnos 3y ago
  Because "free speech" as a term of its own is already well-known and well-defined, fairly universally in US culture. "Free software" is only known in tech circles, and even then it isn't always particularly well-known or well-understood. In a way it's an education problem, but it's also a "why should I care about this topic?" problem, for which the vast majority of people will -- quite reasonably -- answer "I shouldn't".
  • squigz 3y ago
    > In a way it's an education problem, but it's also a "why should I care about this topic?" problem, for which the vast majority of people will -- quite reasonably -- answer "I shouldn't". This can also be applied to free speech, or just freedom in general. People are quite happy to trade convenience for liberty in society. Does that mean we should settle for "I shouldn't care" as an answer? I certainly am not going to.