General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Our Freedom of Expression Is Killing Us [View all]DonCoquixote
(13,615 posts)It is true that free speech can produce some ugly stuff, and that fascists can use it to gain power, however, the problem lies with the fact that restricted speech can also serve fascists as well.
MLK, Margaret Sanger, Susan B anthony, all were accused by the right wing of being offensive, of trying to start violence for the sake of poltical power. What remains true is that any speech that threatens any power structure will be seen as offensive, and therefore, needing to be repressed. You say "freedom of expression" may be a drive towards power, considering the fact that every freethinker in history, everyone who has made "progress towards the truth" has been deemed a threat, harmful, evil, can you also consider that "suprressing offensive speech" is also a will to power, and perhaps an even more obvious one? Read about how people genuinely thought that ideas such as giving the right to vote to women, or blacks, or that the earth revolved around the sun, or that printed books could be good, read about hwo sincere, well meaning people thought these ideas would cause harm, to say nothing of those who did have a stronger "will to power."