Uncertain Things The Enemies of Free Speech (w/ Greg Lukianoff & Nadine Strossen)
May 29, 2025
Greg Lukianoff, president of FIRE, and Nadine Strossen, former ACLU president, delve into the nuances of free speech and its fundamental importance in society. They explore generational tensions and how they impact liberal values. The conversation touches on the 'Marketplace of Ideas' and the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital era. They also examine the dilemmas faced by civil liberties organizations and the interplay between AI and free expression. Their insights into the complexities of liberalism add a rich layer to the discussion.
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Episode notes
Free Speech’s Eternal Radicalism
- Free speech is an eternally radical idea that every generation has to defend anew.
- People often want freedom for themselves but resist it for opposing viewpoints.
The Skokie Affair Story
- The Skokie Affair involved defending neo-Nazis' rights to march in a town with many Holocaust survivors.
- The ACLU’s defense exemplified a principled commitment to free speech, despite public revulsion.
Institutional Backbone for Free Speech
- Institutions survive free speech challenges by fostering ideological diversity and principled, independent cultures.
- FIRE embraces angering all sides to maintain principled, nonpartisan defense of free speech.
