How do you future-proof freedom of speech? In this episode, Karlin Lillington helps us to navigate the changing digital environment shaping freedom of expression since the early days of the internet. We find out more about the origins, evolution, and practices of cancel culture with Eve Ng and we discuss the dangers of selective application of the principle of Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama.
“You need radical free speech in order to reach compromise and be pragmatic. If you disagree vehemently about certain things, the only way to live together in peace is to be able to discuss those things. And then you can actually make political compromises and be pragmatic.
The problem I think is with polarization is that it fuels the selective Milton’s curse approach to free speech, that you will only focus on threats to free speech of your own side and then be indifferent to those your own side wants to impose on others. So that’s why I think radical free speech really depends on a principled approach, which is all experience shows is extremely difficult for human beings to handle however far we’ve come.”
Jacob Mchangama in The History of the Future