But I don't
Consequences
Have you ever considered HIVE? The fact that you can write anything without censorship and with everything being located forever on the blockchain? It is powerful. Then look again and see how much LESS likely you are to be flamed on this site. The reason? There are financial and reputational consequences to what you write.
I can write whatever I want BUT there are consequences for anything I put down.
I am also married. In my marriage I am free to say whatever I like. But I don't. Not because I can't say things but because it doesn't lead to a harmonious marriage. A smart husband looks at the end goal:
- a happy wife
- well trained children who become strong adults
- a harmonious future.
... and a wise husband chooses his words as tools to making that happen.
There are many arguments I could win. Many honest things that I could state. Many jokes and quips that would make me laugh. But do they bring me closer to my end goal or further from it?
The Illusion of free speech
In the end "Free Speech" isn't really free. There are consequences to every word that is spoken and the tone, content, and timing all mean something. Which is why I choose when I speak carefully.
I hate blurting out half thought out words. I hate to be put on the spot and be forced to give a statement or opinion. I would much rather think about what I say and decide IF my words are even necessary.
Also my mood comes into play many times also. There are times when I am angry by something in the house and I know that if I speak words they will be both hasty and unkind. Indeed, there have been times when my children have angered me by doing things they really shouldn't. They know that there will be punishment coming and often push me on what it will be. I've had to tell them "I'll talk about it later. Right now I'm very angry and if I give a punishment now it will be hasty and likely inappropriate. I'll speak later and punish later once I calm down and find something fitting."
Unfortunately some people don't defer to thinking first and acting second. Words spoken in anger. Words spoken from hurt. Words spoken without thinking. They rarely end with a positive spin.
What about free speech
Living in Canada it is often thought that we have free speech. Except it is limited because hate speech is not allowed. I find that amusing because "Limited" and "Free" are mutually exclusive. It is kind of like a Free item but it has a Price to be paid. It doesn't make any sense.
Liability for what you say
Right now I'm looking at new headlines about the US President restricting access to the White House for different news agencies. The very first amendment in the US Constitution says that there is freedom of speech and freedom of the press but the US President is essentially saying "..but not for those news agencies which are portraying things in a negative way or fake news.."
Check the link here if you are curious.
But the question comes up. If you are free to say what you want but the president and the press is free to report then how can you ban them. If they want to report lies? If they want to report negativity? Shouldn't they be allowed?
With truly free speech and free press where people can say whatever, whenever, I would argue that they should.
... But again, there is always a cost to words.
Which brings me back to my original argument. Words have a cost. People should be free to speak whatever they like but they should also be accountable for the cost.
- A liar should be called out and lose his reputation
- Someone inciting people to antisocial activity should be held responsibility for the fallout of those words
Being free to say whatever you want shouldn't come with impunity from the consequences of those words.
In short? Actions have consequences. People like to do what they want...but they often don't like living with the consequences.
But we live in an age with competing voices
...and voices that are ubiquitous. A world where the village idiot and the village elder speak on the same platform with the idiot often being louder and more prolific. Even worse people often hide behind fake accounts or fake names. A person going by IMRIGHT6767 spouting lies gets exactly the same amount of time as WISEMAN1776 and people are left to filter what is true. It's tough.
Personal thoughts on Hive Learners Prompt
Hive Learners gave this prompt :
If everyone has a right to free speech, should hate speech then be subject to criminal prosecution? If no one is harmed when such things are said, but the hate is clear and glaring, should such things be protected under free speech? What precedent will this be setting?
I think my thoughts on this should be pretty obvious but.
- Should everyone have free speech? YES
- Should hate speech be subject to criminal prosecution? NO
- If no one is harmed but the hate is glaring should it be protected? YES
- What precedent will it set? Everyone can say anything
And now the clarification.
- On Hive anyone can say anything. True and I support that.
- Should hate speech on HIVE lead to criminal prosecution? No. It shouldn't, people should be free to have their own opinions.
BUT I absolutely that people should be downvoted, muted and otherwise have their voice taken away from them. Even have their earnings from those speeches taken away.
Exactly how they would be on Hive
Although I should point out that on HIVE downvotes decrease earnings, decrease reputation, and take away your visibility to a casual viewer the posts? The post are still free to make, free to view, and followers can still see your voice. Free Speech is maintained but the microphone is turned off :)
Image source: Google Gemini
With modern social media, youtube, twitter, truth social and so on most people speak without consequences without paying the cost (unless they get censored). There is no accountability for actions which I believe is deeply unfair. I would be much happier if there were real consequences. Not criminal but reputational and operational.
Setting a precedent: You can say what you want, but mean what you say, and be willing to accept the fallout
Just my thought but I'm exercising my free speech and I'd be happy if you exercise yours and leave me a comment :)
Thank you.