Confession time:
I was a free speeches absolutist teen. I think many young people latch on to this, but I couldn't conceive of anyone doing anything that would protect me-- had a lot of experience being shut down & told to be quiet.
That's kind of where my heart has always been. Even though part of growing up is recognizing it's just not practical or reasonable.
Even on twitter I hardly every blocked anyone. Ever.
I'm a reluctant fan of moderation and I came here kicking and screaming. 🧵
The bit of reasoning that made the dam break was the simple observation that no one really lives in a real free speech absolutist space. No one.
The easiest example? Spam, DDOS. You can try to craft an argument about how those issues are "different" But, you will fail.
Then add the realization given 10 free speeches absolutists 8 are probably nazis who don't really care about free speech, just using the issue as cover to get back into the big conversation. Desperate to be taken seriously. 2/
Please no, don't make such a rhetorical comparison to spam (or even DDOS, come on...).
Freedom of speech is and has always been about legitimacy of every idea while only actions can be crimes that can be prosecuted by law and with the guarantees it poses.
Carrying out any act, even if only intimidating, towards those who have only expressed the wrong idea for you, is already a violation of freedom of speech.
