Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott: The Canceling of the American Mind
Oct 25, 2023
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Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, authors of 'The Canceling of the American Mind', discuss the impact of cancel culture on academic freedom and psychotherapy. They explore the erosion of free speech on college campuses, discuss right-wing cancel culture, and the evolution of organizations like ACLU and FIRE. They also touch on the importance of political neutrality in corporations and fostering a culture of open dialogue to combat cancel culture.
Cancel culture threatens free speech and open inquiry in academia and the workplace, serving as a battle for power and dominance.
A culture of free speech is necessary to protect even offensive or controversial speech, fostering productive discussions and debates.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) focuses solely on defending free speech, aiming to fill the gap left by the changing priorities of organizations like the ACLU.
Deep dives
The Rise of Cancel Culture and its Impact on Trust and Institutions
Cancel culture is a phenomenon that undermines trust, destroys institutions, and threatens freedom of speech. It is not limited to one political ideology, as both the left and the right engage in canceling individuals for their opinions. Examples include attempts to get professors fired for their views, attacks on free speech in journalism, and the rise of divisive concept laws in some states. Cancel culture is seen as a form of censorship and stifles open dialogue and dissenting opinions. While it may be viewed differently by different groups, it poses a significant challenge to the principles of free expression and open debate.
The Need for a Culture of Free Speech
The book argues for the importance of a culture of free speech that goes beyond the First Amendment. This culture embraces the concept that even offensive or controversial speech should be protected. The authors highlight the dangers of cancel culture and the chilling effect it has on people's willingness to express their true opinions. They emphasize the need for dialogues that allow for productive discussions, even when there are disagreements. The goal is to foster an environment where ideas are challenged and debated, rather than silenced or canceled.
The ACLU's Shift and the Importance of Defending Free Speech
The changing stance and actions of the ACLU, particularly regarding free speech, are noted in the book. While there are still individuals within the ACLU who prioritize defending free speech, the organization's approach has been seen as narrower and more technical. Fire, as an organization, focuses solely on defending free speech and aims to fill the gap left by the ACLU's changing priorities. The importance of standing up against blacklisting and defending the rights of those expressing support for various causes, including Palestinian rights, is emphasized.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's Approach
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has taken a distinct approach in defending free speech. By focusing solely on free speech and promoting a culture of open dialogue and debate, FIRE aims to provide a robust defense of the principles of free expression. The organization works to uphold freedom of speech on both college campuses and within society in general. Their goal is to ensure that individuals are not silenced or penalized for expressing their opinions, regardless of their political beliefs.
The Importance of Culture and Law
The podcast episode discusses the relationship between culture and law, emphasizing that there is indeed a connection. It argues that the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, is an example of how cultural values influenced the law. The episode mentions a book called 'The People's Darling Privilege' that highlights the historical development of free speech. It suggests that while legal protections are necessary, a culture of freedom of speech and a cultural appreciation for differing opinions are crucial for the effective protection of free speech rights.
Challenges of Web Architecture and Social Media
The podcast explores the challenges posed by web architecture and social media platforms regarding freedom of speech and viewpoint discrimination. It raises the question of whether there is a viable legal solution to prevent payment providers and web hosting platforms from discriminating based on viewpoints. The episode acknowledges that while some companies, like Coinbase, have embraced political neutrality, other social media companies face challenges in maintaining viewpoint diversity. It also raises concerns about cancel culture and the need for society to find a balance between allowing free expression and avoiding the negative consequences of online platforms.
"We've taught young people that any of their missteps or any of their heterodox opinions are grounds to tear them down. That's no way to grow up."
That was journalist Rikki Schlott speaking before a sold-out crowd on Monday night at a live taping of The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie podcast in New York City. Schlott, 23, teamed up with Greg Lukianoff to co-write The Canceling of the American Mind.
Lukianoff, 49, is the president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and co-author with Jonathan Haidt of the bestselling The Coddling of the American Mind (2018). Schlott is a fellow at FIRE, a New York Post columnist, and a cohost of the Lost Debate podcast.
Cancel culture, they argue, constitutes a serious threat to free speech and open inquiry in academia and the workplace and is best understood as a battle for power, status, and dominance. I talked with them about the roots and extent of cancel culture, whether it's fading, and whether firing or not hiring someone who supports Hamas' killing of Israeli citizens is an act of cancel culture.
Live tapings of this podcast take place once a month in New York at the Reason Speakeasy. To find out when the next one is happening, go here. For past Speakeasy events, go here.
