Obvious as it may sound, people with authoritarian beliefs hiding behind free speech actually consider it as a weakness akin empathy. It allows losers like them to amplify their reach despite not being in power. They abandon their “free speech absolutist” postures the moment they think they are in power.

  • @piecat@lemmy.world
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    2410 days ago

    Counterpoint:

    You can say anything in an authoritarian state, the consequences are that you’ll get disappeared in the night.

    • @tenton01@lemm.ee
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      510 days ago

      Your argument is… valid. Everyone, we’ve just established worldwide freedom of speech! Put this in the history books!

      • @angrystego@lemmy.world
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        59 days ago

        The argument means that if there are severe systematic consequences to some things you say, then it cannot be considered free speech.

            • @tenton01@lemm.ee
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              29 days ago

              I’m right there with you, friend. Scary times we’re living in, I wish there weren’t so many events taking place that’ll be in future history books.