Opinion: Censorship only drives evil into shadows

I’ve realized most people don’t understand freedom of speech. Not even experts.

Having freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can force anyone to listen. It doesn’t mean you’ll escape consequences of your words. It doesn’t mean anyone -- other than government -- is obligated to let you speak.

Of course, I believe corporations are an arm of government due to the cozy arrangements they share. Government puts pressure -- with implied threats of retaliation -- on corporations to ban speech government doesn’t want allowed. This violates the First Amendment, which applies to what government is allowed to do.

Free speech means you have a right to falsely shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater -- politically motivated “expert” opinions aside. No one has the authority -- or the practical ability -- to keep you from shouting before you do. Government is even prohibited by the First Amendment from silencing you for “public safety.”

There will be consequences, though.

You should be held accountable for any harm your speech causes. Either through some legal system shenanigans afterward or by someone present who sees the harm you are causing and acts to stop it. If someone needs to act to protect innocents from you, you have no one to blame but yourself when this turns out badly for you.

Choosing to ignore someone doesn’t violate their freedom of speech in any way. I saw people get angry and cry “hypocrisy” after Elon Musk’s Twitter purchase when he personally blocked them. Don’t confuse someone’s right to not listen to you for violating your right to speak. These are not the same.

You have the right to stink, and people have the right to hold their noses in your presence.

I disagree with him banning accounts from Twitter, though. For anything.

The other side of freedom of speech is the freedom to hear it. I understand the desire and the legal pressure to ban some accounts, but it still isn’t the right thing to do. No one is right, or wrong, all the time.

I would always prefer to let nasty, dangerous people speak freely. I want them to feel free to expose who they really are so we’ll know. This is how we can be ready to defend ourselves from them. Censoring them only drives their evil into the shadows where it can fester and grow, unexposed to the light of truth. Bad speech should be countered, not censored.

This is why I am a free-speech absolutist.

Farwell’s Kent McManigal champions liberty. Contact him at:

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