Making Sense with Sam Harris #368 — Freedom & Censorship
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May 21, 2024 
Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and author of influential books on free speech, joins to dissect the current landscape of censorship and free expression. They delve into the origins of political correctness and explore the chilling effects of cancel culture on academia. Discussions touch on social media's role in shaping discourse and the ethical responsibilities of tech platforms. Lukianoff also highlights the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the growing trend of self-censorship across political divides.
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Free Speech
- Free speech isn't just about legal limits but cultural tolerance for diverse opinions.
- The bedrock principle: Speech cannot be banned simply for being offensive.
US vs. Europe
- European countries often view their nations as having a singular identity, leading to restrictions on offensive speech.
- The US acknowledges its diverse nature, making a bedrock principle of free speech essential.
Information Theory
- Greg Lukianoff's "pure informational theory": Understanding the world requires knowing what people think, even if those thoughts are repugnant.
- Conspiracy theories, while often false, offer valuable insights into people's beliefs and motivations.
