Reply #49: banning things is illiberal imo

[McKenzie]

there are certain things that are just outrageously offensive and there should be a consensus on preventing them from happening.

However, the issues you cite are only bannable (does that word exist?) if the majority impose their will on the minority, irrespective of how slim the majority in favour of a ban. and numbers do not always equal "right". The Sun is the biggest selling tabloid in the UK but it's a sexist rag. Based upon democracy though that's what the majority of people want so it must be the optimum choice. Rhetoric on my part. It doesn't mean they are right or that the paper in question has any quality. "Beware the tyranny of the majority" and all that.

A philosophical minefield the subject of whether we should allow things to continue unless they are harmful to society or just offensive. The latter include killing people for whatever reason, racism, sexism and exploitation. Once we move into the realm of personal choice the waters get very muddy indeed.