New Discourses What Freedom of Speech Is and Isn't
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Sep 26, 2025 Dive into the complex world of freedom of speech as the host breaks down its four essential components: the freedom to speak, hear, not speak, and not hear. Explore the nuances of unprotected speech and what true censorship really entails. The discussion clarifies the limits of personal entitlement to an audience and highlights that backlash and criticism are valid expressions of free speech. Learn how blocking on social media is a boundary-setting tool, not an act of censorship, and discover why understanding these concepts is crucial for meaningful discourse.
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Speech Has Clear Legal Limits
- Freedom of speech consists of distinct parts, not a single monolithic right.
- James Lindsay lists the freedom to speak, within legal limits, as the first core component.
Hearing Is A Separate Right
- The freedom to hear is separate and requires effort to exercise.
- Lindsay explains you can hear arguments but may need to seek access; you don't get automatic access everywhere.
You Can Refuse To Speak
- Freedom of speech includes the freedom not to speak as a protection against compulsion.
- Lindsay cites the Fifth Amendment and says you may keep silence when pressured to affirm statements you don't endorse.