

Greg Lukianoff: : The Canceling of the American Mind. Free Speech and Academia
17 snips Dec 27, 2023
Greg Lukianoff, First Amendment lawyer, discusses the conflation of free speech and harassment in academia and beyond. They explore the origins and impact of cancel culture, the suppression of free speech in academic environments, cancel culture in knowledge-producing industries, the excessive number of administrators in universities, and the tactics used in cancel culture. They also discuss the role of politics in education, parents' perception of Harvard, and alternatives to college education.
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Lukianoff's Path to Law
- Greg Lukianoff's brother was arrested for bank robbery, though innocent, after picking up a hitchhiker who was involved.
- This experience, along with covering the Communications Decency Act, fueled Lukianoff's passion for law.
Stanford's Speech Sensitivity
- Lukianoff's time at Stanford Law School revealed a surprising fragility around speech, especially among elite students.
- Minorly offensive comments led to significant moralistic reactions, creating an environment of self-censorship.
ACLU's Shifting Focus
- At the ACLU, Lukianoff was disappointed by a perceived de-prioritization of free speech cases.
- Issues like racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights took precedence, signaling a shift in liberal priorities.