Freedom of speech is ENTIRELY ABOUT the consequences of that speech. If criticizing the dictator gets you shot, that's not freedom. Please stop saying "Freedom of speech isn't freedom from consequences", it's just super dumb.
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Replying to @ciphergoth
The saying captures, at least for me, distinctions that do in fact govern my behaviour. Namely, that "freedom of speech" laws do not shield *all* speech from *all* consequences.
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Replying to @Morendil @ciphergoth
freedom of speech isn't a law, it's an assumed natural right. the 1st amendment of the U.S. constitution is a restriction on what laws the government can enact. it shall not enact a law restricting free speech, association, and practice of religion.
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the issue being discussed isn't about laws though, it's about cultural norms. freedom of speech as a cultural norm is the basis of liberal democracy. the 1st amendment's recognition of the natural rights of free expression is intended to pedestalize the cultural norm.
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when the norm is weakened (as it is today) we see that the tendency to ramp up consequences of unpopular speech creates dangerous political and cultural divisions within society. it is corrosive of healthy discourse and erosive of the solid ground that liberal democracy requires.
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