this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2025
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If you intend to wax pedantic then at least give us your definition. This secondhand linked pedantry crosses the line.
Free speech means that you can not be punished by law for your opinions. It explicitly does not mean that others are required to listen to you or even like your opinions. Just as you are allowed to hold a controversial opinion, they are allowed to disagree with you, argue with you, walk away or show you the door if you're in their house/community/instance.
That's one legal implementation of the idea.
The actual idea goes something like : speech that flows freely without inhibition.
If you're allowed to say everything, then as a logical consequence I'm also allowed to say everything. Including "You are wrong, you are rude, I don't like you and I never want to talk to you again. Please leave."
Note, this is just an example. I don't really want you to leave. Yet.
Is this good or bad?
As an abstract concept and a logical conclusion, I would say it's neither good or bad.
What is bad is when people interpret free speech as being allowed to hurt others without consequences. And in my personal opinion, most people who criticize a lack of free speech fall directly into that category.
We're shooting for good qualities and bad qualities here. Like 2 lists.