I see that quote from time to time. It’s falsely attributed to Voltaire, as I understand, but … I don’t care who came up with it. It’s an interesting perspective on who has power in a culture. E.g., if you can’t criticize the Nazis, or the church, or left-handed people, then — by definition — that group is controlling speech. That’s not good.
The quote came to mind when I read this.
What’s to be done about this?
The First Amendment proscribes the government from limiting speech, but the government isn’t the culprit here. Rather, a tiny minority of activists are controlling the speech of the rest of the country. Assuming that we value free speech in general, and not simply government assaults on free speech, we need to address this.
How did we get to such a place, and how do we stop it?
While there are lots of competing factors, I think the most obvious villain here is simple cowardice. It’s very much like the parental cowardice that allows a 2-year old to run the home. It’s an unwillingness to say no when threatened with a temper tantrum.
It’s come to the point that people say things they know are not true simply to avoid a temper tantrum from the activists. That is a very disturbing thing.
We stop it by refusing to allow bullies to control the conversation — in any place at any time.
But we don’t only have to stop it, we have to heal it, and I think the answer there is a proper education, where people are required to understand and even defend a point of view they don’t like.
I’ve never been on a debating team, but I’ve heard that it’s common for people to be assigned a position to defend — irrespective of whether they agree with that position.
That should be part of our educational process.
QUOTE: Rather, a tiny minority of activists are controlling the speech of the rest of the country.
Are the activists actually controlling speech? If so, how are the activists eliminating access to speech for those that criticize?
QUOTE: I think the most obvious villain here is simple cowardice. It’s come to the point that people say things they know are not true simply to avoid a temper tantrum from the activists.
I totally agree. Yet, who’s fault is it that this is happening? It seems the activists are using their “right” to free speech. So, those that oppose should use their “right” to free speech, as well. Seems those that oppose need to muster more courage to speak their thoughts…especially if they are allegedly the majority opinion. It would be absolutely appropriate to teach them to rigorously express their views and educate them on how to defend them.
Ideally, in a society that truly valued free speech, all views would be allowed into the marketplace of ideas. Hopefully, the “best” perspectives would prevail. Unfortunately, what seems to be the reality is both sides want to shut down the other…without respecting the other side’s right to speak freely.