The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

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

German police conduct coordinated nationwide raids for the pseudo-crime of "hate posting" in their ongoing battle against freedom of expression

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 180 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. German police are doing raids across the country to target what they call 'hate posting' on social media. This is part of their efforts to control freedom of speech.
  2. The raids are meant to intimidate people who express their opinions online, especially if those opinions are critical of politicians.
  3. The current crackdown on online speech seems to be driven by a political elite that feels threatened by public dissent and is using these actions to maintain their power.

How should universities deal with graduate speech malfeasance?

Heterodox STEM • 163 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Universities face challenges when students use graduation speeches to share personal political views, especially if it offends others. It's important for schools to set clear guidelines on what is appropriate for such occasions.
  2. When a student misleads the administration about their speech, it raises ethical questions and could lead to disciplinary actions. It’s crucial for students to act honorably and respect the setting they are in.
  3. Universities should not only teach academic subjects but also social manners and discourse. Teaching students how to express their opinions without offending others is an important part of their education.
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Breaking: Chris Rufo calls for tighter censorship on X

Karlstack • 505 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Chris Rufo believes that there should be more censorship on the social media platform X. He thinks that recent relaxed censorship has allowed harmful ideas to spread more easily.
  2. He points out that anti-Semitic views are becoming more common on the platform, which he finds concerning.
  3. Rufo argues that there needs to be increased oversight to ensure healthier discussions and limit the spread of conspiracy theories.

Gordon Klein Goes to Court

Heterodox STEM • 156 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Gordon Klein is going to trial after being punished for not discriminating against students at UCLA. His case raises important questions about fairness in education.
  2. The lawsuit targets the dean personally, which could change how university leaders respond to outside pressure. It might make them think twice about taking unfair actions.
  3. If Klein wins, it could set a precedent that encourages universities to protect academic freedom and discourage bullying towards educators.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Max Meyer Blog • 275 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  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.

Gen Z, Free Inquiry, and the Future of Civic Discourse

Journal of Free Black Thought • 11 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Gen Z, shaped by parents and the internet, values asking questions, checking evidence, and refusing to treat any topic as untouchable.
  2. They apply that skepticism to debates like Israel–Palestine: they condemn the Holocaust and respect Jewish life, but push back when criticism is labeled antisemitism to shut down inquiry, and they trust firsthand, unfiltered information.
  3. This attitude is shifting civic expectations so people demand more transparency, accountability, and open debate from leaders, seeing free speech and rigorous questioning as essential to a healthy democracy.

Actual libel (not the fake kind)

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  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.

Dingus of the week: Tony Hinchcliffe

Men Yell at Me • 472 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Tony Hinchcliffe made racist jokes at a Trump rally that many people found offensive. His comments included stereotypes about Puerto Ricans, Black people, and Latinos.
  2. While some support Hinchcliffe, many others, including celebrities, called out his jokes as racist and demanded better from comedians.
  3. There is a growing concern about free speech and the consequences of making offensive jokes. Some feel people should laugh at all jokes, even if they are hurtful, while others believe that jokes can reveal deeper prejudices.

Links to Consider, 10/26/2024

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Noah Smith emphasizes that police are important for public safety and crime reduction. However, he believes there are still ways to improve police practices.
  2. Greg Lukianoff notes that campus deplatforming is at an all-time high, with many attempts to silence differing opinions. It's a worrying trend for free speech.
  3. Aswath Damodaran questions whether breaking up big tech companies is beneficial, suggesting that it may hurt innovation and favor legal professionals instead.

Free Speech Is Truly Under Assault

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics 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.

Save Democracy From Informed Citizens: Vote Censorship!

The DisInformation Chronicle • 385 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Media organizations are teaming up to push narratives that silence critics of politicians. This raises concerns about free speech in a democratic society.
  2. YouTube and other platforms are being pressured to remove content labeled as misinformation, often targeting conservative voices. This suggests a targeted effort to control the information available to the public.
  3. There is increasing scrutiny and criticism of social media platforms like Twitter for their handling of misinformation, particularly as they relate to upcoming elections. This scrutiny often coincides with efforts to diminish the reach of certain viewpoints.

Guest post on Karlstack

Myth Pilot • 216 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The guest post on Karlstack is about the legal abuses in the Douglass Mackey meme case.
  2. Douglass Mackey was known for the pro-Trump account 'Ricky Vaughn' and was charged with 'election interference' by the DOJ.
  3. The guest post was published by Paulos and is available on the Karlstack platform.

MARSHMALLOW MINISTER MASHED: Leipzig court overturns Nancy Faeser's ban on the AfD-adjacent magazine Compact

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 128 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. A German court has overturned a ban on the magazine Compact, which was accused of being linked to far-right views. This ruling is seen as a blow to the former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser who enforced the ban.
  2. The court allowed the magazine to continue its operations but highlighted that some of its content could still be considered unconstitutional. This brings up concerns about how the government can regulate media and speech.
  3. Many believe this ruling doesn’t truly support free speech, as it leaves room for future bans on publications based on their political views, which could set a troubling precedent.

From Heterodox to Helpless

Unsafe Science • 88 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🚌 Education Free speech
  1. Universities often resist change from within because insiders have little motivation to admit their problems and reform themselves. They need external pressure to push for actual improvements.
  2. Internal efforts to reform academia have largely failed, with free speech increasingly restricted and ideological homogeneity growing. There's evidence showing that academic environments have become less open and more tribal over time.
  3. Younger generations of students appear even less supportive of free speech and more eager to self-censor, which suggests that without outside accountability, the situation in universities could worsen even further.

Taxpayer Funded Censorship: How Government is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence Your Voice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. A huge amount of taxpayer money, over $127 million, went to studying and fighting COVID-related misinformation. Much of this funding was aimed at promoting public health recommendations.
  2. The government has been closely working with social media companies to tag and remove content labeled as misinformation, raising concerns about free speech and trust in scientific advice.
  3. There are worries that the government’s approach to dealing with misinformation could be biased, leading to silencing dissenting voices and further eroding public faith in authorities.

The Law Clerk Boycott Hits Stanford Law School

Original Jurisdiction • 479 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Federal appellate judges are boycotting Stanford Law School for clerk hiring due to recent disruptive events involving Judge Kyle Duncan.
  2. The boycott is part of a larger pattern of judges withholding clerkship opportunities from law schools due to concerns over free speech issues.
  3. The boycotting judges are advocating for changes in law schools to promote intellectual and ideological diversity as a condition to end the boycott.

Disinformation - the new cash cow, especially if we get 're-educated' about its' meaning.

A B’Old Woman • 299 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The New Zealand government is looking to understand disinformation better by offering a $450K tender for research. This is to help them recognize and tackle disinformation in society.
  2. There is concern that the definition of disinformation might be changing. Some groups are expanding the meaning to include comments that are considered mean or hateful, which raises questions about free speech.
  3. One project related to disinformation seems to focus on specific groups and narratives, but some critics point out that other important topics, like the experiences of Muslims, are not being addressed.

saturday overton musings

bad cattitude • 247 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The way we talk about things is changing, and there are shifts happening around what can be said in public. This gives people more freedom to express their thoughts without worrying so much about censorship.
  2. People are starting to stand up against the fear of backlash for what they say. It’s important to speak openly and to set standards about what is acceptable to talk about.
  3. The recent changes show us that we can push back against bullying behavior in conversations. By speaking honestly and boldly, we can change the way discussions happen and reclaim our rights to express different viewpoints.

Curator

Castalia • 239 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Cancel culture is a hot topic, and opinions about it vary widely. Some say it doesn't exist or is blown out of proportion, while others argue it's a real issue affecting free speech.
  2. The left needs to refresh its focus on core economic equality issues instead of getting stuck on cultural fights. People are moving towards the right because the left isn't addressing these important topics.
  3. AI is changing how we work and making jobs more tedious. While it can produce impressive results, it often hides the hard labor of many people who help make it possible.

Canceling the American Mind

Holodoxa • 179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Issues related to freedom of expression are prominent in American public discourse, especially in the current era.
  2. Cancel Culture has spread widely, impacting discourse and leading to consequences for freedom of expression.
  3. Strategies like defining Cancel Culture, examining rhetorical fortresses, and proposing changes in education can help mitigate the impacts of censorious attitudes.

Tweedle-Dum, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Three: Musings on the German Speech Police Courtesy of 60 Minutes

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 213 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Germany has strict rules about what people can say online, punishments can be severe for simply insulting politicians or expressing unpopular opinions.
  2. There are companies that profit by filing complaints against people for these speech 'crimes', creating a culture of fear and censorship.
  3. The author feels personally threatened by these laws, worrying about their own freedom to express thoughts online, even if they are not breaking the law.

The Three Musketeers

Diane Francis • 499 implied HN points • 24 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Tech companies have legal protections that allow them to avoid consequences for harmful content. This has created a chaotic online environment full of hate and misinformation.
  2. The EU has stricter rules for online content, which hold companies accountable. In the US, there's a push to change laws that protect social media from being sued for the things users post.
  3. Upcoming Supreme Court cases could change these protections, leading to more accountability for tech giants. Many believe this is necessary to combat harmful online behavior.

too crazy to see

bad cattitude • 314 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. People often struggle to accept shocking information because it feels too unbelievable. This is called cognitive dissonance, where their brain wants to reject things that don't fit their understanding.
  2. Normalcy bias can make us overlook serious problems because we think things like that don't happen. It's hard for us to see when something is way outside of what's normal.
  3. Free speech and access to truthful information are crucial for social change. When individuals start to question and learn, it can lead to a broader awakening in society.

"Reciprocal" Digital Sovereignity

Never Met a Science • 83 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Countries need to have control over their digital space to enforce rules on big tech companies. Without this control, regulations won't be effective.
  2. Tensions exist between countries wanting to protect their digital interests and the influence of American tech companies. This leads to a struggle for digital sovereignty.
  3. For long-term solutions, countries should create their own tech platforms that are easier to regulate, instead of relying on foreign ones that may not align with their values.

German retiree facing criminal charges for retweeting a meme implying that the Minister of Economic Affairs is a moron

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 294 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. A German retiree is facing criminal charges for retweeting a meme that insults a government minister. This shows how serious authorities can be about online criticism.
  2. The case highlights laws in Germany that punish anyone who insults politicians, which can lead to heavy fines or even jail time. It's a tough stance on freedom of speech.
  3. The situation reflects ongoing debates about what people can say online, especially regarding those in power. It's a reminder of how different countries handle criticism of their leaders.

What the heck is free speech?

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 220 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Different people have their own ideas about what free speech means, which can lead to misunderstandings. It's important to clarify what we mean when we talk about it.
  2. The author sees free speech as mainly about being free from government punishment, but acknowledges there are limits to this freedom, like laws against violence.
  3. Private companies can set their own rules for speech on their platforms, and this shouldn't be mistaken for a violation of free speech rights.

Free speech is in trouble

Silver Bulletin • 779 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  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.

Links to Consider, 10/15/2024

In My Tribe • 288 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Free speech
  1. Personality tests like the Big Five or Myers-Briggs might not be very good at predicting important life outcomes. Their accuracy isn't much better than just guessing.
  2. Free speech has changed over time, moving from a focus on persuading others to simply expressing one's own beliefs. This represents a shift in how we communicate and engage with each other.
  3. Modern societies often value citizenship over family ties, which affects people's views on having children. Many may feel pressured to prioritize social status over family-building.

"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" is Misunderstood

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Words can represent actions, but they aren't always genuine. For example, someone might say they're kind but then treat others poorly, showing their words are empty.
  2. Performative actions can be misleading. People might make grand gestures to seem good without truly caring, like donating money while treating their employees poorly.
  3. Supporting free speech or rights means standing up for others, not just yourself. It's important to show that you care about everyone’s rights, not just your own.

Sick of the anti-porn bullshit

Sex and the State • 73 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Porn isn't inherently good or bad; it's a neutral topic. It's more about how society views and treats it that matters.
  2. Stigmatizing and trying to ban pornography often leads to more problems instead of solutions. Talking openly about sex is a better way to address concerns.
  3. The real issue isn't pornography itself but the shame around it. This shame affects how people interact with sex and can lead to deeper issues.

See the Slip

Bet On It • 608 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Substack making concessions amid pressure to remove content
  2. Concern over the slippery slope of censorship escalation over time
  3. The issue of token concessions and potential risks for Substack