I'm optimistic in the big picture, because here we are. The idea that wrongheaded, dangerous, heretical, and blasphemous ideas should be not only allowed but protected is preposterous. It's ridiculous. No society has ever had that idea until about 250 years ago. It shouldn't work, but here we are.
The reason is because, despite its ridiculousness, it has the one great advantage of being the single most successful social principle ever invented. What I tell people is, "Me, you, your children, your grandchildren, and their grandchildren will have to get up every morning and explain all of these principles all over again from scratch. You know what? We just have to be cheerful about that."
- Nick Gillespie, How To Tell If You're Being Canceled.
People keep forgetting the idea of free speech (and being a free human being) is just 250 years old. We are freaking so blessed and gifted to have born in this era. Don't take it for granted.
And yeah, the genesis of cancel culture started a couple of decades ago from each one of our homes; hyper-coddling of kids and conversations where realities of life (including death, suffering) are completely censored.
No comments:
Post a Comment