I'm a free speech absolutist because, as far as speech goes, I hate everybody, but, as far as actions go, I've always tried to be a good person and help everyone.
People who claim that there must be «no tolerance for the intolerant» usually ignore this divide between actions and words, probably because, in their own minds, it does not exist.
In any case, if everyone was tolerant, or if we only tolerated those who were also tolerant, how could tolerance be a virtue? Being good only to those who are good to you does not make you a good person. Virtue has value only when it's faced against its opposite.
@coolboymew What? Tolerance? If so, that's the point. Tolerance is tested not against like-minded people, but against those who are intolerant of what you say.
The most important thing to keep in mind, in my opinion, is that words are just words (air in the air, ink on a page, pixels on a screen, even smoke from a flag...) and violence is a very specific kind of action. That's why one is protected (well, depending on your country and its laws, of course) and the other is not. A lot of people these days don't get that.
I believe in people being essentially good because I believe in this divide between actions and words. Just as there are people who claim to be wonderful human beings and stand for all that is good and great, and then their actions uncover them as huge pieces of shit, maybe those who, for instance, openly claim here to be racists would help a black person if they needed their help. I don't know. I hope so anyway.
+bonifartius 𒂼𒄄
@josemanuel
> People who claim that there must be «no tolerance for the intolerant» usually ignore this divide between actions and words, probably because, in their own minds, it does not exist.
it's mind-bogging isn't it? as if there was no difference between someone voicing an opinion and someone taking an action _or_ ordering others to take action - which only works if there is force involved already. i think https://blog.freespeechextremist.com/blog/what-is-freedom-of-speech.html is a quite good write up.
imo the only sane way is free speech and voluntarism, but many people hate both of these concepts - it would be life without the training wheels.
