Free speech defenders are losing ground as government pressure mounts. Legal expert Greg Lukianoff reveals why the Kimmel case should terrify everyone.
Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1216
What We Discuss with Greg Lukianoff:
- The Trump administration used FCC licensing threats and merger approval leverage to force ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel — a form of "jawboning" where government coerces private entities to censor speech the government itself cannot legally punish.
- Historically, free speech has been the primary tool for minorities and marginalized groups. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Frederick Douglass, and Gandhi all relied on free speech to challenge the majority and the powerful.
- Hate speech laws don't change minds — they drive people into echo chambers where they radicalize further. When people can only discuss controversial views with those who already agree, extremism intensifies rather than diminishes.
- Over one-third of college students believe violence can be acceptable in response to speech. Two-thirds support shouting down speakers, representing mob censorship that undermines the marketplace of ideas and threatens intellectual discourse.
- Practice intellectual courage. When encountering disagreeable speech, engage rather than silence. Ask yourself: "Am I safer knowing less about what people think?" The answer is no — open dialogue reveals problems early, strengthens your arguments, and builds a healthier society.
- And much more...
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