The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

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

Did New Zealand's mainstream newspapers collude to collectively cancel an unobjectionable advert?

A B’Old Woman • 619 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Censorship Free speech Public Policy Controversy
  1. New Zealand's mainstream media seems to avoid controversy and only promotes certain values. This has led to a boring and uniform direction in their content.
  2. A conservative group had ads approved in major newspapers, but then all the newspapers canceled them without clear reasons, suggesting a possible collusion.
  3. The idea of 'cancellation' can affect anyone, and it's important to stand up for different viewpoints to protect everyone's rights and speech.

Israel & the Threat to Free Speech

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Israel Lobbying Middle East Trump administration
  1. The Israel lobby can silence voices that criticize Israel in the US. This limits open discussion about important issues.
  2. The relationship between the US and Israel is complicated and affects the situation in the Middle East.
  3. Concerns about free speech are rising as more people feel pressured to avoid discussing Israel's policies.

Free speech is in trouble

Silver Bulletin • 779 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Youth Liberalism Conservatism Free speech College
  1. Free speech is facing challenges, especially among young liberals who show low tolerance for controversial speech.
  2. College students have varying levels of tolerance for controversial speakers, with notable differences between conservative and liberal viewpoints.
  3. The decline in support for free speech is not limited to elite universities, indicating a broader generational shift.

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.
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Cluck cluck peck peck

Disaffected Newsletter • 1039 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Public Opinion Free speech Activism
  1. People react differently to styles of communication; some prefer straightforward and blunt expressions. It's important to recognize that personal preferences shouldn't dictate how others express their ideas.
  2. If someone is resistant to a message, emotional appeals won't necessarily change their mind. It's often more about the content of the idea than the way it's delivered.
  3. Not everyone seeks to please or follow conventional advice on communication. Some individuals prioritize expressing their truth over trying to fit a more palatable mold.

Kellie-Jay Keen's coming back to New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 459 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Politics Free speech Civil Rights Activism Public Policy
  1. Kellie-Jay Keen is returning to New Zealand for a court case related to an incident where juice was thrown on her at a rally. This case is set for September 20.
  2. The person charged, Eli Rubashkyn, has faced criticism for his actions at the rally, where he pretended to have different views to get close to Kellie-Jay. His court appearance is expected to draw attention.
  3. There are growing concerns in New Zealand about policies affecting single-sex spaces, as some believe these changes impact women's rights and safety.

TikTok Has Clarified the "Are Social Media Companies Publishers or Platforms?" Question

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Policy Government Free speech Technology
  1. TikTok is under scrutiny for its data collection practices, raising concerns about privacy and security. It's important to understand what information TikTok gathers from its users.
  2. There is a big debate about whether social media companies should be seen as publishers or platforms. This classification affects potential regulations and legal responsibilities.
  3. The situation with TikTok highlights issues related to government control and influence over social media. It's a complicated topic that mixes technology, privacy, and politics.

Dean Jenny Martinez Speaks Out About The Protest Of Judge Duncan At Stanford Law

Original Jurisdiction • 919 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Free speech Policy Changes
  1. Dean Jenny Martinez issued a detailed and courageous statement addressing the protest at Stanford Law School.
  2. She emphasized the importance of academic freedom, free speech, and diversity in a legal profession.
  3. Martinez outlined next steps, including education on freedom of speech and updating policies to protect rights of speakers and protesters.

I’ve invited Elon Musk to New Zealand for Kellie-Jay Keen’s ‘Let Women Speak’ rally.

A B’Old Woman • 359 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Events Social Issues Public Discourse Free speech
  1. A person invited Elon Musk to a rally in New Zealand that's focused on women's rights. It seems like a playful idea meant to get attention.
  2. The rally is coming back after an earlier one was disrupted by a protest. People are excited and expect strong support this time.
  3. There was a past incident where a trans activist threw a liquid at the rally, which raised serious concerns. People want to make sure everyone feels safe when expressing their opinions.

Disaffected audio-MI 'hate speech' bill

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Free speech Civil Rights Social Issues
  1. Michigan is proposing a law that could criminalize misgendering, seeing it as a form of harassment. This could mean fines or even jail time for people who misgender others.
  2. The discussion around this law highlights the complexities and potential issues in defining hate speech and harassment.
  3. It's important to stay informed about such laws as they can impact free speech and how people communicate with each other.

Changing values

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 334 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Religion Free speech Politics Individual Rights
  1. Religious people are not barred from public life, despite some claims to the contrary.
  2. Being honest about personal beliefs, even if controversial, is important in leadership.
  3. The divide in discussions about free speech and cancel culture often revolves around whether faith-based views should receive special treatment in public discourse.

CENSORSHIP IS NOW HARD-WIRED

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Government Corruption Media influence
  1. Censorship is increasingly becoming a part of governments around the world, starting from the United States. This can negatively affect our freedom of thought and speech.
  2. Many people who participated in the January 6 protests faced harsh legal consequences, which is unusual for political protests in U.S. history. It's seen by some as political persecution.
  3. It's important for individuals to resist censorship wherever it appears. Promoting free speech is crucial for preserving individual liberties and a healthy society.

The Full Audio Recording Of Judge Kyle Duncan At Stanford Law

Original Jurisdiction • 679 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal issues Free speech Protests Judiciary Controversy
  1. Debate about Judge Duncan's appearance at Stanford Law and the disruption he faced from protestors.
  2. The audio recording captures Judge Duncan's interactions with students, criticisms, and responses to questions.
  3. The event ends with Judge Duncan thanking the Federalist Society and making a closing remark to the audience.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Max Meyer Blog • 275 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Rights DEI
  1. A question posed by a Dean highlighted the clash between free speech and feelings of students.
  2. The American legal system is based on due process, not outcome-oriented considerations.
  3. There is a shift in law schools towards prioritizing outcomes over rights, potentially leading to a legal free-for-all.

Actual libel (not the fake kind)

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Media Free speech Social Issues Legal Cases
  1. Libel is hard to prove, but it can be done if someone shows actual malice. This means they knowingly spread false information.
  2. A specific case was mentioned where calling someone a murderer could be legally risky, especially when the courts found them not guilty.
  3. Understanding libel law is important, especially for journalists, as it helps them avoid making false claims that can hurt people's reputations.

Linda the Bank Teller Versus Freedom

Bet On It • 261 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Government Policies
  1. People often fall for the conjunction fallacy, where they choose an option with a lower probability because it seems more logical.
  2. Support for general concepts like free speech can differ drastically from support for specific instances of it.
  3. People often endorse freedom in theory but struggle when faced with specific applications, showing a discrepancy in general versus specific judgments.

Berenson v Biden gets stronger

Unreported Truths • 48 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Legal Cases Media
  1. Berenson's lawsuit against Biden is moving forward, and new evidence from 2021 supports his claims of censorship. This case highlights concerns about free speech.
  2. Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the Biden administration pressured social media companies to censor content related to vaccines. This admission strengthens Berenson's case.
  3. The lawsuit process includes several stages, and each outcome will determine how the case proceeds. Berenson believes the evidence will help push the case forward.

Big Government And Big Corporations Wage World War On Free Speech

Public • 342 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Antisemitism
  1. Big government and big corporations are attacking free speech on social media platforms.
  2. Allegations against Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) as a platform for hate speech are being questioned.
  3. Reports of anti-Semitic content on X by a nonprofit group and the Washington Post lack transparent data for independent verification.

Weekly Round-up: Another Interesting Transition Week

Who is Robert Malone • 17 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Debate Free speech Legal issues Elections Government actions
  1. Doctors in Washington State are facing investigations for speaking out against COVID-19 policies. They argue that their free speech rights should be protected, even if they have medical licenses.
  2. China has imposed new export restrictions that specifically target the United States, impacting critical technologies and resources. This action is part of an escalating trade war between the two countries.
  3. After recent events, the declining birth rates in countries like Singapore are highlighted as a serious concern. Experts warn that if trends continue, it could negatively affect the future of society.

More Thoughts On Intellectual Diversity In Biglaw

Original Jurisdiction • 599 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Ethics Diversity Legal analysis Free speech
  1. Big Law firms have a lack of intellectual diversity which is not beneficial for the legal profession.
  2. There is pressure on Big Law firms to conform to certain ideological standards based on clients' expectations.
  3. Encouraging diverse perspectives and civil discourse in the workplace can lead to better outcomes and a more enjoyable environment.

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.

Corporations Offended By Free Speech Are Happy to Invest In Places Without It

Public • 303 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Corporations Advertising China Dictatorship
  1. Corporations withdrew advertising from platforms that embraced free speech due to concerns over associating with offensive content
  2. Some companies offended by free speech have no problem investing in countries with repressive speech environments
  3. The trend of corporations prioritizing 'brand safety' over free expression raises questions about their commitment to democratic values

Information Disorder Syndrome

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Mental health Free speech Public Policy Censorship
  1. Information disorder is when people share false information, whether on purpose or not. It can be categorized into three types: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
  2. There are different levels of severity for this 'syndrome.' The mildest level involves sharing false info without intending to harm, while the most severe level involves sharing harmful false information on purpose.
  3. Managing information disorder requires careful handling of false information and may need community engagement and counseling for those who repeatedly share harmful content.

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.

Online Censorship's Institutional Power

Mad at the Internet • 139 HN points • 16 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Media influence Digital Rights Internet Governance
  1. There is a growing concern about powerful interests in technology and media that can control online content and silence dissent. People are worried that without organized action, the internet could become less free.
  2. The Kiwi Farms forum has shown how sharing information online can impact reputations significantly. When people share thoughts and stories freely, it can create lasting effects, especially on influential figures.
  3. The anti-censorship movements often lack coordination and resources compared to pro-censorship groups. This makes it hard for them to effectively combat censorship efforts that threaten open dialogue online.