Report Blog Entry
As an American, and proud libertarian, I hold free speech to be dear to me. But more important than the legal right of speech, is the norms of speech. So, I shall put forth this proposition: The important discussion is not the legality of speech, but the normative values we attach to speech. In other words, the culture we shepherd is the important discussion. The legality of speech is obvious, so talking about a platforms right to do or not do something is something that is self evident to all true Americans
All libertarians should aim for normative speech values that are as permissive as possible. Such as, slurs, insults, degrading comments, and the like. This is not to say such comments are "okay", but its important that people state their intentions as clearly as possible. People are not good and showing yourself to be hateful in this aspect of life or that aspect of life helps us function together
As a personal example, in school I saw a homosexual I knew blow up on another student for using a slur. Who did this benefit? And why did the homosexual act in this manner? First, the yelling match did not benefit anyone involved, this much is clear. Second, the homosexual acted in this manner because he wanted to CHANGE the other persons behavior. Libertarians should acknowledge that people can only change because its their choice. The person who said the slur stopped saying the "f-slur", on the bus, but in his private life I'm sure he says it quiet freely. In fact, he probably gets more satisfaction out of saying it now that he knows it can evoke a response
The solution to the problem is for people to be able to live in peace in their own communities. Forcing two people of hostile attitude to live together is anti-humanist. But more so, if the culture was more lenient, we could come to a consensus that words mean nothing. What we should value is a persons actions, not their words. But the state of affairs is backwards. Corporate America values appearances more than hard work. The voting populous actually values political theater. In order to break this down we need to change the culture to put less emphasis on speech and more on action. And yes, this means saying hurtful words.
I am not proposing that libertarians should aim for a right wing culture. Instead, they should aim for a culture of radical personal empowerment, like the ancestors that came before us. And true empowerment is being able to live in not feel the need to change this person or that person because it makes you feel better
And to do my duty to Rothbard, let us be reminded that free speech, while dear to me, is also a property right, originating in self-ownership
How permissive do you think the norms of speech should be?
Comments
Displaying 3 of 3 comments ( View all | Add Comment )
xX_Dyrk_Nyte_Xx
I am a huge advocate of free speech especially so in online spaces.
While I mainly agree with your points.. I feel that the gay persons response was fine and warrented. Now is responding like that smart? No. Is policing what the other person says ok? Also no. People have knee jerk reactions which is pretty typical.
I was called a lot of slurs growing up but never bothered me as I am what people described me as. I'm a faggot and a retard. Doesnt bother me personally and I do think more people need realize this especially with slurs.
But again- with free speech there is still cause and effect so to say.
I use a lot of slurs in my daily life so I personally am not bothered by others usage of slurs. But I do get why it makes people uncomfortable around me and while I don't adjust my speech for others I do understand the possible consequences in what I say.
I think this issue is very prevalent in online spaces though.
Censorship is wild these days and sadly the more we censor the more weight we give words to people who use them specifically in harmful ways... and like you said- it never changes how people talk in private... I'm a spitting example, lol. But at the same time- people should be allowed to speak freely in private without fears of getting ostracized instantly upon discovery (this comes with the caveat of private convos that maybe lead to real life harm). But 90% of my private conversations with friends just have poor taste in jokes or excessive slur usage :p
I like this blog post. Coming from a registered independent who typically votes libertarian or foward party- i appreciate greatly your emphasis on not allowing us to pipeline into right wing ideologies. Thats not what we stand for at all and i think many folks mis interpret that.
I'm a farmer and horse trainer by profession and considered "educated"
I simply like my bodily and property autonomy and freedom to live without imposing precenses policing what i can and cannot do with my property and body.
People have a misconception that libertarians are grumpy old men who want to be left alone- i homestead and live in a small community. We trade lots of produce, animal products, etc. Working together as a small community and having the autonomy to do so without government interference and large corporations being assholes is really what I believe libertarians should strive for.
Thanks for this thought provoking blog! Was a great read! Sorry if i misunderstood it- i am retarded ;) lolz
We have to work together if we want freedom from government :D. oh and btw, im a retarded faggot too! (please dont ban me spacehey!)
by Dashie; ; Report
antipatic
Preach. We are highly cognitive animals. How can one think they are in the right when they restrict ideas and thoughts. Especially on the internet. I understand if someone is being beligerent and in your face spouting shit at you IRL, but on the internet - just ignore them. When I witness censorship on the internet I can't help but think that maybe the censored is in the right otherwise they would use logical arguments instead of deleting their ideas.
Here's the biggest problem with censorship. It's like a virus. It promotes self-policing. If you are part of a community that censors thought, you are more likely to inhibit your own ideas and become a drone that lacks critical thinking.
Yes. I don't know about blocking however. It feels like I'm a chump whenever I block someone. But a person blocking someone is very different from a platform policing what language is acceptable. I'm not the biggest fan of slurs. I say them all the time, personally, but I don't say it with hatred often
by Dashie; ; Report
Reviscent
It's ironic that someone who identifies as a libertarian —a defender of individual freedom and opposed to authoritarianism— would downplay an ideology like neo-Nazism, which is based precisely on coercion, violence, and the denial of basic freedoms. It makes no sense to defend freedom while excusing those who want to abolish it for others.
Most "nazis" I interact with are just reactionary right wingers. There are major parallels between austro-libertarianism and the alt right. This is mostly a cultural sentiment of "get away from me". As for the jew hate, libertarians don't support giving Israel billions each year because taxation is expropriation of property
So why would I be shy of nazis if they want to not give Israel money? I am far more scared of the cultural Marxists because they actual HAVE captured our institutions and politicians
by Dashie; ; Report
Saying that “most Nazis are just right-wing libertarians” really downplays what Nazi ideology actually is. Libertarians opposing foreign aid to Israel is not the same thing as Nazi antisemitism; the motivations and the worldview behind each position are completely different. Refusing to fund a foreign government is a policy stance. Believing that an entire ethnic or religious group is a problem for society is an extremist ideology. Mixing the two only confuses the picture.
And the idea that “cultural Marxists have captured institutions” is itself a conspiracy narrative, not an established fact. Institutions are shaped by political, economic, and demographic forces — not by a single hidden group acting with a unified plan. If you disagree with certain policies or cultural trends, that’s legitimate, but turning them into a grand conspiracy only muddies the discussion.
Being critical of government spending or certain cultural shifts doesn’t require aligning with people who openly embrace hateful ideologies. You can disagree with Israel’s policies or with progressive politics without needing to excuse or normalize Nazism.
When someone doesn’t have solid arguments, conspiracy theories become the fallback to defend ideologies that have clearly caused real damage — especially in the U.S. It’s easier to invent hidden enemies than to deal with the actual historical and political consequences of those ideas.
by Reviscent; ; Report
I'm not going to get into the cultural Marxist thing because the idea that cultural Marxism is a conspiracy theory is, in it of itself, a conspiracy theory. I need only refer you to Antonio Gramci.
But I don't mind working with the dissident right when it comes to cutting aid to Israel. I'm trying not to be provocative or engage in agitation propaganda because this does not help our cause
by Dashie; ; Report