I can't thank you enough for all your work and writings about free speech and the rule of law, but I just need it to be said that it cannot be understated how bad the situation is right now in the UK. As an Englishman, I've watched my country decay over the past ten years, and I've never been so terrified in my life. What we need is our brothers across the pond, now more than ever.
Do not abandon us just because of our despotic leaders. It was only a few years ago when the Joe Biden administration was doing very much similar things. I see many Americans speaking of Britain as if Biden's curbs against free speech didn't happen. (Disinformation Governance Board, Covid censorship)
Starmer is destroying our once great nation faster than I ever thought possible. We cannot survive until 2029, which is the next general election. I'm speaking here with genuine fear that if the United States doesn't intervene, they will not have any of Britain left to rejuvenate when Farage wins. If that means a US warship sailing up the Thames (to be parked outside Parliament, so be it), I am that serious. My country is dying.
But, for now, until it does fall, I can at least read your work (via VPN) as sometimes even Substack is blocked and unable to be accessed. Often coincidentally, topics that the government wants controlled, fancy that. Many an article on immigration I can’t access without workarounds.
So until I can no longer read your work, I thank you for it
Oof, that was a tough read. I couldn't stomach all of it, but I thank you for documenting it, and fighting so vigorously. Our course indeed seems perilous.
Thanks for your work on this, Greg. I hadn't realized just how far down the path of censorship the UK has gone.
You put it well: "Here’s the thing: censors always think their motives are pure. From inquisitors to commissars to modern “hate speech” units, they all believe they’re preventing some existential harm." That's what can be so hard for people to understand, particularly on campus. If someone "means well," then surely what they are proposing must be okay. But we have seen how quickly those good intentions can turn into rigid orthodoxy.
The last part where you answered the fears of hate speech laws supporters was very interesting. How to achieve a fair, well-functioning civic society. I would love to read more on that. I understand free speech supporters - but I also understand some of hate speech laws-proponents' fears. So it's interesting to hear about alternatives to hate speech laws and why we need these alternatives. It's always thought-provoking to read you. The type of liberalism you propose always makes me think, I like it. I do hope that liberalism and other political movements and philosophies will grow, develop in time, to be able to solve our current political problems and speak to people. There definitely is too much complacency among political elites right now, that is halting the growth of their ideologies. But I also see smaller NGOs working on such development of ideologies, what is a good sign.
Greg, Whether you realize it or not, you make a watertight case against Democratic leadership, especially at the national level. Is there even a single national Democratic figure who stands up for free speech? Loudly and unambiguously? Bill Maher, perhaps fits this description, but isn't an elected official. I'll never forget Tim Walz's strong assertion that "The First Amendment doesn't protect hate speech and misinformation!" This buffoon was pretty close to being elected VP. We already saw in Biden's administration massive censorship on the covid narrative and many other controversial issues, pervasively exerted by pressure on internet platforms and the MSM.
Today's excellent essay and FIRE's crucial work on the poisonous anti-free speech atmosphere in the overwhelmingly Democratic culture of higher education is proof positive that pseudo-liberals are the principle enemy of free speech.
I acknowledge that some on the right wing have a tendency to oppose true free speech, but at a much, much lower degree than the left.
For disclosure: I voted for Hillary and Biden, but probably will never vote D again.
I grew up in the 1960s. I grew up with people proclaiming their right to live how they want, take any drugs they want, marry anyone they want, and by all means, to say anything they want.
Now, it is largely these people, these progressives, who insist on censorship. Progressivism is a sinking ship, and progressives are doing anything they can think of to maintain power over the rest of us. This newly minted free speech issue has never been about fairness or protection of minorities. It's about power and control.
Think about why there is a first amendment. It is not there to protect accepted speech. Accepted speech needs no protection.. It is there to protect 'unacceptable' speech. I've been watching both parties make damned fools of themselves for decades. They should be ashamed of themselves, but they aren't. They must be stopped, before they can stop us.
I 100% agree with you in opposing government censorship, but how do you think about society imposing social consequences against the most egregious TABOO speech violations, such as overt, hateful bigotry and calls for violence? It seems like social ostracism was very effective in diminishing the role of the KKK, preventing their hateful ideology from spreading into the mainstream, where people rightly feared social consequences for espousing those ideas or even associating with KKK members. Shouldn't we do the same thing here to the people who are unabashedly violating those same taboos?
It feels like our inconsistency in upholding these critical, universal TABOOS (IMO due mostly to hyper-partisanship, and reverse discrimination being justified by "social justice") is creating this terrible situation where open hatred becomes tolerated and normalized, which is what leads governments to respond and impose these draconian censorship laws.
As the free speech and opinion absolutist, I'd love to hear how you think about this space of taboos and social consequences in your own life and work, and if this can somehow live alongside your views against "cancel culture" (which FWIW I'm also very aligned with you on).
Leftists have always been tyrannical and censorious, while claiming virtue on their march to Utopia, which is the liquidation of their theoretical enemies, making the rest slaves and taking their property. We who wish to stay free have always been their theoretical enemy in a myriad of ways, having to endure their vacuous claims of racism, fascism and every-ism.
It never stops with them because they are incapable of perceiving individuals, or reality, both of which they loathe. But in order to survive, as all creatures must, they use theories to give them the justification, so they think, to accomplish their awful objectives upon the innocent. That is why they oppress them, maim them and kill them, at every chance they get; and by doing so, they obtain for themselves the productive assets of others, which they promptly waste, because they haven't the competence. But they don't care.
That is why this type of human being, of which there is a minority, but claim to always be in the majority, are vocal and active and relentless -- it is the only way for turn to thrive. That is why they are always censorious of others and why organizations like FIRE are essential.
Thanks Greg. How do we stop it here?! Feels like I just sit and watch these things happen and don’t know how to stop it. Most Americans have no clue this stuff is happening in UK/Europe. And with the climate of censorship among the citizens of America and some of its institutions - there are people pushing for it to go to the next step here too.
It really is maddening to have so many people assume they are right and being blinded to the consequences of that moral reasoning/ ego. I’ve been reading a lot of books about communist china- and that’s how it started there too… they had good reasons to want a better life… but they put blinders on when millions died beside them as they continued to walk the ideological line in the name of doing good
I am *Eternally* grateful you are here to document and report this stuff, Greg.
The apathy and ignorance of my fellow countrymen (friends and family alike) around these issues and many violations, and their dire consequences, is depressing to say the least. But you always reinvigorate and re-enthuse me to speak out and fight against this stuff.
I can't thank you enough for all your work and writings about free speech and the rule of law, but I just need it to be said that it cannot be understated how bad the situation is right now in the UK. As an Englishman, I've watched my country decay over the past ten years, and I've never been so terrified in my life. What we need is our brothers across the pond, now more than ever.
Do not abandon us just because of our despotic leaders. It was only a few years ago when the Joe Biden administration was doing very much similar things. I see many Americans speaking of Britain as if Biden's curbs against free speech didn't happen. (Disinformation Governance Board, Covid censorship)
Starmer is destroying our once great nation faster than I ever thought possible. We cannot survive until 2029, which is the next general election. I'm speaking here with genuine fear that if the United States doesn't intervene, they will not have any of Britain left to rejuvenate when Farage wins. If that means a US warship sailing up the Thames (to be parked outside Parliament, so be it), I am that serious. My country is dying.
But, for now, until it does fall, I can at least read your work (via VPN) as sometimes even Substack is blocked and unable to be accessed. Often coincidentally, topics that the government wants controlled, fancy that. Many an article on immigration I can’t access without workarounds.
So until I can no longer read your work, I thank you for it
Oof, that was a tough read. I couldn't stomach all of it, but I thank you for documenting it, and fighting so vigorously. Our course indeed seems perilous.
Thanks for your work on this, Greg. I hadn't realized just how far down the path of censorship the UK has gone.
You put it well: "Here’s the thing: censors always think their motives are pure. From inquisitors to commissars to modern “hate speech” units, they all believe they’re preventing some existential harm." That's what can be so hard for people to understand, particularly on campus. If someone "means well," then surely what they are proposing must be okay. But we have seen how quickly those good intentions can turn into rigid orthodoxy.
The last part where you answered the fears of hate speech laws supporters was very interesting. How to achieve a fair, well-functioning civic society. I would love to read more on that. I understand free speech supporters - but I also understand some of hate speech laws-proponents' fears. So it's interesting to hear about alternatives to hate speech laws and why we need these alternatives. It's always thought-provoking to read you. The type of liberalism you propose always makes me think, I like it. I do hope that liberalism and other political movements and philosophies will grow, develop in time, to be able to solve our current political problems and speak to people. There definitely is too much complacency among political elites right now, that is halting the growth of their ideologies. But I also see smaller NGOs working on such development of ideologies, what is a good sign.
Greg, Whether you realize it or not, you make a watertight case against Democratic leadership, especially at the national level. Is there even a single national Democratic figure who stands up for free speech? Loudly and unambiguously? Bill Maher, perhaps fits this description, but isn't an elected official. I'll never forget Tim Walz's strong assertion that "The First Amendment doesn't protect hate speech and misinformation!" This buffoon was pretty close to being elected VP. We already saw in Biden's administration massive censorship on the covid narrative and many other controversial issues, pervasively exerted by pressure on internet platforms and the MSM.
Today's excellent essay and FIRE's crucial work on the poisonous anti-free speech atmosphere in the overwhelmingly Democratic culture of higher education is proof positive that pseudo-liberals are the principle enemy of free speech.
I acknowledge that some on the right wing have a tendency to oppose true free speech, but at a much, much lower degree than the left.
For disclosure: I voted for Hillary and Biden, but probably will never vote D again.
I grew up in the 1960s. I grew up with people proclaiming their right to live how they want, take any drugs they want, marry anyone they want, and by all means, to say anything they want.
Now, it is largely these people, these progressives, who insist on censorship. Progressivism is a sinking ship, and progressives are doing anything they can think of to maintain power over the rest of us. This newly minted free speech issue has never been about fairness or protection of minorities. It's about power and control.
Think about why there is a first amendment. It is not there to protect accepted speech. Accepted speech needs no protection.. It is there to protect 'unacceptable' speech. I've been watching both parties make damned fools of themselves for decades. They should be ashamed of themselves, but they aren't. They must be stopped, before they can stop us.
I 100% agree with you in opposing government censorship, but how do you think about society imposing social consequences against the most egregious TABOO speech violations, such as overt, hateful bigotry and calls for violence? It seems like social ostracism was very effective in diminishing the role of the KKK, preventing their hateful ideology from spreading into the mainstream, where people rightly feared social consequences for espousing those ideas or even associating with KKK members. Shouldn't we do the same thing here to the people who are unabashedly violating those same taboos?
It feels like our inconsistency in upholding these critical, universal TABOOS (IMO due mostly to hyper-partisanship, and reverse discrimination being justified by "social justice") is creating this terrible situation where open hatred becomes tolerated and normalized, which is what leads governments to respond and impose these draconian censorship laws.
As the free speech and opinion absolutist, I'd love to hear how you think about this space of taboos and social consequences in your own life and work, and if this can somehow live alongside your views against "cancel culture" (which FWIW I'm also very aligned with you on).
Leftists have always been tyrannical and censorious, while claiming virtue on their march to Utopia, which is the liquidation of their theoretical enemies, making the rest slaves and taking their property. We who wish to stay free have always been their theoretical enemy in a myriad of ways, having to endure their vacuous claims of racism, fascism and every-ism.
It never stops with them because they are incapable of perceiving individuals, or reality, both of which they loathe. But in order to survive, as all creatures must, they use theories to give them the justification, so they think, to accomplish their awful objectives upon the innocent. That is why they oppress them, maim them and kill them, at every chance they get; and by doing so, they obtain for themselves the productive assets of others, which they promptly waste, because they haven't the competence. But they don't care.
That is why this type of human being, of which there is a minority, but claim to always be in the majority, are vocal and active and relentless -- it is the only way for turn to thrive. That is why they are always censorious of others and why organizations like FIRE are essential.
Thanks Greg. How do we stop it here?! Feels like I just sit and watch these things happen and don’t know how to stop it. Most Americans have no clue this stuff is happening in UK/Europe. And with the climate of censorship among the citizens of America and some of its institutions - there are people pushing for it to go to the next step here too.
It really is maddening to have so many people assume they are right and being blinded to the consequences of that moral reasoning/ ego. I’ve been reading a lot of books about communist china- and that’s how it started there too… they had good reasons to want a better life… but they put blinders on when millions died beside them as they continued to walk the ideological line in the name of doing good
Thank the lord for Greg Lukianoff!
I am *Eternally* grateful you are here to document and report this stuff, Greg.
The apathy and ignorance of my fellow countrymen (friends and family alike) around these issues and many violations, and their dire consequences, is depressing to say the least. But you always reinvigorate and re-enthuse me to speak out and fight against this stuff.
Tackling the apathy is the first hurdle.
Thank you.
Julian from the UK.