Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is a seminal work by John Stuart Mill that argues for the protection of individual freedoms from the tyranny of the majority and government interference. Mill uses utilitarian philosophy to justify the value of liberty, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought, discussion, and action. He introduces the 'harm principle,' which states that individuals should only be restrained from acting when their conduct may harm others. The essay is structured into five chapters, each addressing different aspects of liberty, including the liberty of thought and discussion, individual liberty, the limits of authority, and practical applications of his theories. Mill argues that protecting individual liberties is essential for societal progress and the avoidance of social stagnation[2][3][5].
In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.
FIRE staffers take your questions on the TikTok ban, mandatory DEI statements, the Kids Online Safety Act, Trump vs. the media, and more.
Joining us:
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Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy
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Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy
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Will Creeley, legal director
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Donate to FIRE!
02:49 TikTok ban
10:01 Ari’s work as tech policy lead counsel
12:03 Mandatory DEI statements at universities
15:19 How does FIRE address forced speech?
18:17 Texas’ age verification law
24:35 Would government social media bans for minors be a First Amendment violation?
33:48 Online age verification
35:17 First Amendment violations while making public comments during city council/school board public meetings
37:25: Edison, New Jersey city council case
39:48 FIRE’s role in educating Americans
41:55 If social media addiction cannot be dealt with like drugs, how can it be dealt with?
43:34 “Pessimists Archive” Substack and moral panics
45:27 Trump and the media
51:23 Gary Gadwa case
52:49 How to distinguish the freedom of speech versus freedom from social consequences?
55:53 Free speech culture is a “mushy concept”
57:58 ABC settlement with Trump
01:01:27 Nico’s upcoming book!
01:02:32 FIRE and K-12 education
01:04:40 Outro
Show notes:
“TikTok Inc. and ByteDance LTD. v. Merrick B. Garland, in his official capacity as attorney general of the United States” (D.C. 2024)
“Opinion: The TikTok court case has staggering implications for free speech in America” L.A. Times (2024)
H.B. No. 1181 (Tex. 2023; Texas age-verification law)
“The Anxious Generation” Jonathan Haidt (2024)
S. 1409 - Kids Online Safety Act (2023-2024)
American Amusement MacH. Ass’n v. Kendrick (Ind. 2000)
“Edison Township, New Jersey: Town Council bans props, including the U.S. flag and Constitution, at council meetings” FIRE (2024)
“LAWSUIT: Arizona mom sues city after arrest for criticizing government lawyer’s pay” FIRE (2024)
"President Donald J. Trump v. J. Ann Selzer, Selzer & Company, Des Moines Register and Tribune company, and Gannett Co., Inc.” (2024)
“Trump v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.” (2024)
“New Jersey slaps down censorship with anti-SLAPP legislation” FIRE (2023)
“FIRE defends Idaho conservation officer sued for criticizing wealthy ranch owner’s airstrip permit” FIRE (2023)
“On Liberty” John Stuart Mill (1859)
“Home Depot cashier fired over Facebook comment about Trump shooting” Newsweek (2024)
“Free speech culture, Elon Musk, and Twitter” FIRE (2022)
“Questions ABC News should answer following the $16 million Trump settlement” Columbia Journalism Review (2024)
“Appellants’ opening brief — B.A., et al. v. Tri County Area Schools, et al.” FIRE (2024)
Transcript is here
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast 
