The Myth of Free Speech

Are We Wrong About Free Speech?

Between rumbles of a TikTok ban and Elon Musk’s new Twitter philosophy, everyone’s talking about free speech online. But what does free speech even mean, and is it actually a good thing? Let’s find out in this video: Who Needs Free Speech?

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Written and Hosted by Michael Burns
Researched by Michael Lodato
Directed by Michael Luxemburg
Edited by Andrew Nishimura
Produced by Olivia Redden

Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

#freespeech #culture #wisecrack

© 2024 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[jamalwest]

Show us on the doll where Outback Steakhouse hurt you

[weatheranddarkness]

I think all of this comes down to the same reason debates are supposed to have moderators, camps have councillors, broadcasters have ombudsmen(people). It's not that freedom is the issue, it's that some level of mediation is almost always necessary when there are differences. It's why message boards invented the task of Moderator in the first place. You can't just let every discussion devolve into a flamewar, nobody benefits from that except the troll whose intent is to aggravate.

[GeraltofRivia]

The entire concept of free speech exists to protect unpopular opinions. If you disagree, you don't believe in free speech, you believe in allowed speech.

[maestromarat]

Call me crazy but the philosophers and professors of Greek society saying that the philosophers and educated of society should rule might have an agenda with their opinions and maybe shouldn't be taken as doctrine.

[josephfloyd]

Personally, I blame it all on Outback Steakhouse.

[MichaelSmith-rrmo]

I may not like what the porn bot says but I will die to protect its freedom to say it

[MrTheWeir]

Those who are interested in more on this topic, I highly recommend an older (pre-transition) Philosophy Tube video: "Brexit: What is Democracy?", in which Abigail describes the tensions inherent in democracy via references to the 2016 Brexit referendum and the movie "Arrival."

[georgechyz]

The importance of free speech is not based on the value or accuracy of what is said, on the contrary, free speech is important because it gives people a way to verbally fight against totalitarian rule without having to resort to a physical revolution. Certainly censorship is an essential ingredient needed to successfully form a totalitarian dictatorship. That's why our first president, George Washington warned, "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

[The_Infinite_Squirrel]

I don't agree with some of your conclusions, but you have the absolute right to express them.

[RodrigoBarbosaBR]

Jürgen Habermas is a philosopher that has some very good theories regarding speech and democracy. His discourse theory of democracy demands that everyone have equal communicative opportunities, and the only power allowed is the power of the best arguments.
So the powered granted by the number of followers would not be allowed and would pollute democracy.
Although it is virtually impossible to totally have the ideal speech situation, as defined by Habermas, it is a very good guide on what to safeguard against.

[MisterTutor]

In the immortal words of Socrates: I drank what? :)

[deletedaxiom]

"In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve" - Alexis de Tocqueville

[tzgaming]

As I get older, my present hang up with free speech is, what good is it, if there's no obligation or responsibility to truth & fact?

[mooncalf]

Me, at title: wha?
Me, at video: ah.
Me, reading comments: HAhahaHAhahaha!

[kellanaldous]

What better way to enjoy the outdoors than to buy a box of crap. Right...

[WarrenPeaceOG]

I'm still impressed by Marshall McLuhan suggesting electronic media would shift us from a literate, visual culture back to an oral culture. I think all forms of televisual communication should most likely take the form and format of a zoom call, whether it's the product, or the marketing, or the finance meeting - everything is a zoom call. Everything is conversational. Free speech today is more like the freedom to shout a one liner across the bar than to revise our traditional moral framework in a written treatise

[MmKayUltra]

I can only call my congressman (congress member?) And tell them that i don't want US arms to be given to countries that violate human rights because of free speech. I wish it worked better tho

[singleflow]

I love how the defense against free speech is always about being able to say racist things.

It's key to being able to speak freely to power.

For instance, in America we can say our president looks like Winnie the Pooh without repercussions.

[LonkinPork]

"When you know that what you're saying is indefensible, all you can defend is your Right to say it."
- paraphrased, but original author unknown

[gabrielbarraza]

I am not built for social media. While I have my opinions and may say some controversial things and have strong opinions, I also have genuine curiosity and value discussion. I don't like, and don't want to engage in clickbait and engagement as commodity.