Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
11–20 of 126 posts
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#12What is the mindset of a college student who goes out of their way to shout down and prevent other people from speaking? This isn't rhetorical, I genuinely want to know why they think, in a place ostensibly dedicated to learning, it's acceptable (and seemingly even admirable) behavior.
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#13What is the mindset of a college student who goes out of their way to shout down and prevent other people from speaking? This isn't rhetorical, I genuinely want to know why they think, in a place ostensibly dedicated to learning, it's acceptable (and seemingly even admirable) behavior.
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#14After all, some deplatforming attempts are themselves an exercise of free speech, where people who feel excluded from the platform are trying to rebalance the debate by asking that we stop focusing on debunked theories.
Sure, not all attempts are like that, there are abuses everywhere, in all direction. But 1) as long as there is no way to handle that aspect properly, this metric is just meaningless, 2) it cuts both ways: you cannot complain about complainers without exposing yourself to the same criticisms (and, I know "it's not the same because I'm just expressing my opinion, but that person who said 'can you, just, not?' want to steal my freedom and kill my family")
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#15Not 100 years ago, you'd be stoned for being a socialist, or being black in the wrong public setting. No one was going to protect you. Protected free speech is a myth, at best.
Socialism was extremely popular in academia during that period. The US had the Espionage Act but I cannot think anywhere the stoning of socialists would happen, let alone in academia.
Stoning black people was never a thing as far as I know. Do you have any pointers?
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#16Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#17Not 100 years ago, you'd be stoned for being a socialist, or being black in the wrong public setting. No one was going to protect you. Protected free speech is a myth, at best.
If that's what you're saying, I don't see that the conclusion follows from the premise. It is possible for a society to protect free speech in general but to fail to protect it in specific instances. That's a deplorable inconsistency for a society to have, but it doesn't make free speech a "myth". It makes it an inconsistently protected right.
And, if that's what you're saying about 100 years ago, then what is your point about the present? If the idea of free speech is a good thing, then let's make it not "a myth" by supporting it. If the idea of free speech is a bad thing, then let's crush it and silence everyone we disagree with. But what are you saying? How is it being "a myth" relevant?
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#18I haven't been in University for over a decade now, but is this an actual real problem or just conservative provocateurs whining?
Can't tell if this is a joke or not. If not, can't you see the irony in your own typing?
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#19I haven't been in University for over a decade now, but is this an actual real problem or just conservative provocateurs whining?
Combining your "searching for truth" program with a "purist political ideology" program is a bad idea. When you split facts down a political dichotomy, "conservative whining" is just a check engine light that you're blind to half the world.
Re: Campus free speech was in trouble in 2018, and the data shows worsening
#20The term "deplatforming attempt" lacks a clear definition, making it challenging to ascertain its exact meaning. It could encompass situations where there's dissent towards a speaker or concerns raised about their content. It might involve hecklers disrupting an event. However, reports of faculty or speakers being forcibly removed are often exaggerated. The concept of deplatforming is inflated to serve right-wing age…
The article goes into some depth describing what constitutes a deplatforming event, including shouting down an in-progress event, rescinding an offer to speak, etc.
Another thing to note... Freedom of speech guarantees individuals the right to express their opinions, but it does not guarantee them a platform or audience. Institutions have the prerogative to manage their events and platforms to ensure productive discourse while also maintaining safety and order.