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man of aran's avatar

“[T]he only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” Which is why we see an ever expanding definition of ‘harm’ to include feelings and subjective impressions. Harm is what they mean when they claim ‘offence’. The insidious manipulation of language is at bottom a power play. They aren’t actually harmed. They know exactly how to subvert liberal principles by appealing to our good nature.

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Daisy Moses Chief Crackpot's avatar

Regrettably we have come to the point where folks not only keep quiet if they disagree but they actively participate in the silencin' of others. It's Lord of the Flies exacerbated by social media and food/entertainment/soma on tap--and arguably just as juvenile and deadly. No grownups to save us...

A great essay Barry, though it shines a sorry light on current Amerika, former land'o-lakes an' free speech. All stew-dents today (they ain't students by a long shot these dayz...) need to read JS Mill.

It used'ta be anyone could hold court, offer views (however unpopular) an' get a listen--cheers (Bronx included), jeers, whatevah (as we say in New Yawk)... Neither righty tighty Archie Bunker nor his polar opposite leftie loosie son-in-law Meathead were denied a soapbox (or were their neighbors, the Jeffersons!). We liked it that way! Now the local loud mouths are gone--conformity is the norm. Shakin' my head down in Dogpatch...

Though not a New Yawker (nay, a Brit!) Hitchens (always a thorny outlier) put it succinctly:

"My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line." – Christopher Hitchens

We need more big mouths like him! Ameri-cans need to relearn the value of hearing those standing in opposition to "prevailing opinion" -- and enjoyin' them too! Were we not once a nation of outliers, novelty acts (with talent, natch), and big mouths? Wha'happened to US?

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