The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

On Don Lemon

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10768 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Free speech Elon Musk
  1. Don Lemon sought a significant financial package, including an upfront payment, salary, equity stake, and extravagant perks like a Tesla Cybertruck and a private jet to Las Vegas.
  2. Despite past critiques, mainstream media are now portraying Lemon as a free speech hero due to his interactions involving Elon Musk.
  3. To access the full post and archives on Don Lemon, readers are encouraged to subscribe to Racket News for a 7-day free trial.

Financial Big Brother is Watching You

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8813 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Financial regulation Free speech
  1. Financial institutions are using transaction data to monitor for 'extremism indicators' like certain purchases or travel patterns.
  2. Financial surveillance, enhanced by AI, allows institutions to create detailed profiles of individuals and potentially restrict their access to financial services.
  3. The rise of 'political credit scores' may lead to non-illegal behaviors being punished effectively, similar to how speech is censored.
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Substack, Nazis, Free Speech, and Me & Trump Is Popular Among Black Voters?

kareem • 7802 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social Issues Presidential Election News Activism
  1. Kareem emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with love and respect, striving for a world where exploitation doesn't exist.
  2. Substack is under scrutiny for allowing hate speech content, sparking debates about free speech and censorship.
  3. Effective protest movements online can lead to positive changes in platforms' policies, demonstrating the impact of public activism.

If Berkeley Wants to Protect Free Speech It Will Expel Its Rioters

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2453 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Violence Academic Freedom Civil Discourse
  1. Violence should not be tolerated on college campuses as it undermines the principles of free speech and debate.
  2. Consequences must be implemented for those who engage in violent behavior or disrupt events on campus.
  3. Universities must actively defend free speech and academic freedom while maintaining zero tolerance for violence.

Violent Rioters at Berkeley. In Defense of Self-Driving Cars. Richard Lewis, RIP

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1456 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech National Security Political Figures First Amendment Comedy
  1. Maintaining the distinction between speech and violence is crucial in civil society.
  2. Self-driving cars are safer than those driven by humans and can help reduce the high number of road deaths.
  3. Texas A&M decided to shut down its Qatar campus due to national security concerns related to the school's relationship with Qatar and its ties to groups like Hamas and Iran.

‘If I Die, They’re Dying with Me’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1446 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice Security Government Privacy Free speech
  1. Iraq combat veteran Kristofer Goldsmith leads a team of veterans targeting neo-Nazi terrorists in the US, facing numerous threats and dangers in his line of work.
  2. Google's AI chatbot Gemini has caused controversy by producing absurd and morally questionable responses, highlighting concerns about biased politics influencing tech products.
  3. College student Jack Sweeney has stirred debate by tracking celebrities' private jets on social media, facing legal actions from figures like Taylor Swift and Elon Musk, prompting discussions on privacy, free speech, and data in the digital era.

Free Subscriptions for College Students

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1752 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education College Free speech Independent Journalism Critical Thinking
  1. Free speech is crucial for a free society and intellectual growth, but is often viewed as political in the current era.
  2. Campus culture sometimes discourages questioning and different perspectives, leading to fear of being judged for holding alternative views.
  3. Reading independent journalism and engaging in conversations can inspire critical thinking, challenge beliefs, and empower individuals to speak up for what they believe in.

A housekeeping note about Substack and Nazis

Read Max • 3350 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Content Moderation Network Effects Free speech
  1. Controversy around Nazis on Substack led to some writers considering leaving, but network effects and practical reasons keep others on the platform.
  2. Substack's decision not to moderate content like Nazi blogs sparked debates over content guidelines and platform responsibilities.
  3. Subscription newsletters on platforms like Substack offer a sense of independence for writers, but also come with challenges and complexities.

Today’s Censorship Is Personal

Human Flourishing • 2122 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Control Free speech Censorship Supreme Court First Amendment
  1. Governments throughout history have tried to control speech and communication channels.
  2. Technological advancements have made censorship more personal and affect the tools we use every day.
  3. The outcome of Missouri v. Biden case in 2024 will determine the scope of government censorship and impact fundamental rights.

If you believe in nothing, you will achieve nothing

White Hot Harlots • 59 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Israel-Palestine conflict Censorship Political Discourse
  1. Believing in nothing leads to achieving nothing; having beliefs can drive success.
  2. The control over discourse and the stifling of free speech can have negative consequences.
  3. Supporting free speech can allow dissenting opinions to be voiced; opposition to free speech can lead to braindead analysis.

Top North Carolina judge faces potential sanctions for talking about racial discrimination

Popular Information • 12539 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Free speech Investigation Political Bias
  1. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is facing sanctions for speaking out about racial discrimination within the court system.
  2. Earls filed a lawsuit against the Judicial Standards Commission asserting her right to free speech as an elected Justice.
  3. There is a dispute over whether Earls' comments on systemic issues in the judiciary constitute protected political speech.

New Hate Speech Laws Threaten Freedom Across the West

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 797 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech First Amendment Biden administration Civil Liberties
  1. Freedom of expression is fundamental for all other rights to exist.
  2. Recent hate speech laws in English-speaking countries like Canada, Britain, and Ireland are threatening free speech.
  3. It is essential to protect free speech as a core element of democracy, as seen in the ongoing censorship challenges in various countries.

Carole Hooven: Why I Left Harvard

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2504 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🚌 Education Free speech Academic Freedom Higher education
  1. Challenges to free speech on college campuses are exemplified by instances where individuals are penalized for opposing campus orthodoxy or stating scientific views that contradict prevailing beliefs.
  2. Higher education institutions often prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which, while aiming for inclusivity, may inadvertently stifle viewpoint diversity and open debate, hindering the essence of thriving educational environments.
  3. The importance of ensuring a balance between promoting diversity and maintaining free speech is highlighted through personal experiences, illustrating the impact of DEI culture on academic freedom and the need for universities to re-establish environments supportive of open dialogue and diverse perspectives.

Who Owns the Megaphone?

Uncharted Territories • 1808 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship Media influence Propaganda Free speech Information Control
  1. Throughout history, controlling the flow of information has been a key focus for those in power.
  2. The evolution of media, from books to radio to TV and now social media, has changed the landscape of public opinion.
  3. Balancing free speech with the dangers of misinformation in the digital age remains a complex challenge for society.

Meet the Censored: Me?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 22417 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Media Coverage Censorship Journalism
  1. The project to uncover Twitter Files revealed a complex and organized system of content policing involving various government agencies and tech platforms.
  2. Suspension of journalist accounts for sharing information about Elon Musk's private jet highlighted the tensions between free speech and censorship.
  3. Elon Musk's involvement in the transparency of Twitter was met with conflicting reactions, ultimately leading to unexpected clashes with platforms like Substack.

On Recent Developments at Substack

Welcome to Garbagetown • 2574 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Online Platforms Social media Free speech Community Building
  1. Acknowledgement of issues with Substack's management of diverse opinions and policies on monetization
  2. The dilemma of deciding whether to stay on Substack despite hosting problematic content or to leave and potentially lose audience
  3. Concern about the online space being dominated by harmful voices if good actors continually leave platforms hosting problematic content

New York Times journalist rage quits Substack over inability to censor everything he deems 'hate speech' and 'extremism'

The Dossier • 2214 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Media Free speech First Amendment Ideology
  1. A New York Times journalist quit Substack because he couldn't censor what he considered 'hate speech' and 'extremism'.
  2. Substack stayed true to its mission by refusing to engage in censorship, even under pressure from major publications.
  3. The situation highlights the importance of free speech and the dangers of censorship in shaping narratives and promoting government control.

Free Speech Is Truly Under Assault

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Government Elections Censorship Free speech
  1. Free speech is facing significant challenges, especially with the way information is being controlled and manipulated by various entities.
  2. There is a growing concern about government interference in elections and the use of agencies to suppress opposing viewpoints.
  3. Calls have been made to disband certain government agencies, overhaul the system, and start over in order to address the issues around free speech and manipulation of information.

Double-Plus-Ungood: GMU's Orwellian "Just Societies" Mandate

Bet On It • 422 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Diversity Free speech Academic Freedom Ideology
  1. The GMU's 'Just Societies' mandate is viewed as a thinly-veiled woke indoctrination requirement that lacks exploration of different views on justice. It focuses heavily on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.
  2. The requirement assumes the DEI view of justice is correct, overlooking deep controversies and philosophical debates. Alternative perspectives like color-blind meritocracy are dismissed.
  3. Critics argue that the mandate promotes state-sponsored ideological activism, ignores traditional philosophical debates on justice, and signifies leftist indoctrination within academia.

Do You Condemn Piers Morgan?

Pen>Sword • 1937 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Islamophobia Genocide Bias Free speech
  1. Piers Morgan is criticized for his coverage of Gaza, accused of exploiting the situation for personal gain.
  2. Morgan is accused of focusing on sensationalism, ratings, and controversy rather than providing balanced journalism on the Palestinian perspective.
  3. Critics argue that Piers Morgan's approach to discussing the Gaza crisis shows a lack of understanding and sensitivity towards the complexities of the situation.

Imago DEI at Cornell University

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🚌 Education Free speech Critical Thinking
  1. The theme year for Freedom of Expression at Cornell University is controversial, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
  2. There is a concern about the prioritization of DEI over free speech, leading to a culture of fear and conformity on campus.
  3. Efforts are being made to bring in speakers who promote fearless, rational, and civil speech on campus, to counteract the perceived lack of free expression.

The Canceling of the American Mind Explains the Silence of University Leaders Last Week

After Babel • 2868 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education Cancel Culture Free speech
  1. The book 'The Canceling of the American Mind' by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott explores the impact of cancel culture in various fields.
  2. The silence of university leaders after recent events raises questions about fear and self-censorship.
  3. American higher education institutions need to address the challenges posed by cancel culture and prioritize free speech to regain trust.

Judge Blocks Montana Drag Ban Using Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell's Own Words

Erin In The Morning • 5129 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Free speech Discrimination LGBTQ+ Court ruling
  1. A federal judge blocked Montana's drag ban using the bill author's own words which were seen as discriminatory.
  2. The judge found the ban unconstitutional due to violations of first amendment rights on freedom of speech.
  3. The law was deemed overly vague and unconstitutional due to broad definitions that could impact various groups.

Why liberalism and leftism are increasingly at odds

Silver Bulletin • 1339 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideologies Political polarization Free speech Education
  1. Liberalism and leftism are at odds due to differences over Israel and identity politics.
  2. Classical liberalism, rooted in individual rights and free markets, is distinct from socialism and conservatism.
  3. Social Justice Leftism diverges from liberalism in its focus on group identity, totalizing tendencies, and constrained view on free speech.