Greg Lukianoff on How to Build a Culture of Free Speech
Aug 19, 2023
auto_awesome
Greg Lukianoff, president of FIRE, discusses the erosion of free speech, consequence culture, cancellation concerns in different academic institutions, shifting discourse and legislation, the state of cancel culture, and the importance of reviving free speech norms.
Free speech is under threat in American culture, with restrictions and censorship on campuses coming from both the left and the right.
Cancel culture, enabled by the polarized nature of society, dismisses substantive arguments and hinders progress in a pluralistic democracy.
Legislative efforts in various states pose a threat to free speech and academic freedom, but ongoing advocacy and legal challenges provide hope for preserving these rights.
Deep dives
Threats to Free Speech and Academic Freedom
There is a growing concern about the threat to free speech and academic freedom in contemporary American culture. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is at the forefront of defending these fundamental rights. They have observed an alarming trend of restrictions and censorship on college campuses and beyond, with challenges coming from both the left and the right. This includes cases of professors facing consequences for expressing their opinions, such as Carol Hovin at Harvard, who discussed the existence of biological sex, and instances of attempts to shut down conservative speakers on campuses. The expansion of the culture war and the erosion of bipartisan support for free speech have exacerbated these challenges. It is important to note that while certain restrictions may be permissible to protect students from discrimination or harassment, academic freedom and the expression of opinions, hypotheses, and research should be rigorously protected.
The Rise of Cancel Culture
One concerning aspect of the current climate is the rise of cancel culture. Cancel culture refers to the practice of targeting individuals, often public figures or academics, for expressing unpopular or controversial opinions. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) defines cancel culture as the act of professional consequences, such as job loss or expulsion, for what would normally be considered protected expression under the First Amendment. Cancel culture has been enabled by the increasingly divisive and polarized nature of American society, with both the left and the right using tactics to undermine quality debate and discussion. Additionally, cancel culture has led to the dismissal of opinions by labeling individuals as conservative or right-wing, even if their arguments are valid. This dismissal of substantive arguments is detrimental to a pluralistic democracy and hinders progress in society.
Legislation and the Battle for Free Speech
Recent legislative efforts in various states, such as Florida, pose a significant threat to free speech and academic freedom. Laws have been proposed or passed that restrict the teaching and discussion of certain topics, such as critical race theory or identity politics, in public universities. These laws have faced legal challenges and have been found to be unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment and academic freedom principles. Organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) have been at the forefront of challenging and overturning these laws. While short-term threats persist, First Amendment jurisprudence and ongoing advocacy give reason to be optimistic about preserving free speech rights in the long run. However, the battle to defend free speech and academic freedom remains ongoing as new challenges continue to emerge.
The Power Dynamics of Free Speech
The podcast episode discusses the power dynamics associated with free speech. The speaker highlights that higher education, being a powerful environment with a predominantly homogenous political ideology, often overlooks the fact that free speech is crucial for protecting the rights of marginalized groups. The speaker argues that historically, free speech has been a tool used by the powerful to maintain their positions of influence, and it is only when unpopular with the elites or the majority that individuals truly need the protections of free speech.
The Impact of Cancel Culture on Academia
The podcast delves into the issue of cancel culture and its impact on academia. The speaker presents data from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), revealing a significant rise in attempts to fire professors since 2014, with around 60% resulting in some form of punishment and approximately 180 cases leading to terminations. The speaker compares these numbers to the Red Scare era and emphasizes that the current scale of professor cancellations surpasses historical records. Furthermore, the speaker notes that cancellations have become a bipartisan issue, with both the left and the right advocating for the firing of professors, creating a hostile climate for intellectual freedom in higher education.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Greg Lukianoff discuss the state of free speech culture on America’s campuses and in society more broadly; FIRE’s progress litigating against coercive legislation in Florida and elsewhere; and the need to foster cultural habits that uphold individual expression.
