The hottest Free speech Substack posts right now

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

Pensioner convicted of incitement for posting negatively about migrants in the latest politically charged German speech prosecution

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 230 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. A 74-year-old woman in Germany was convicted for expressing negative views about migrants on social media. Her comments were deemed incitement, leading to a hefty fine.
  2. The case highlights the tension in Germany over free speech and political criticism, especially related to migration policies. Many believe her opinions reflect common sentiments among the public.
  3. The woman's conviction could lead to financial hardship, as her monthly pension is relatively low. She could be paying off fines for many years if her sentence is not overturned.

Interview with the Previously Prohibited podcast

Karlstack • 91 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Chris Brunet went from being popular in the anti-woke Right to being an outcast for speaking the truth about Israel's support in conservative media.
  2. He recently wrote about new laws that target BDS and free speech, showing a growing trend among some Republicans.
  3. The interview discusses how these changes affect freedom of expression and highlights the challenges faced by journalists.

The Work of Free Speech on Social Media

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 98 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The banning of certain figures on social media is often driven by public relations considerations rather than purely moral or ethical standards.
  2. Social media platforms prioritize maintaining a certain inoffensive public image to attract ad revenue and align with mainstream media-approved trends.
  3. The dynamics of speech regulation on social media platforms spark debates about freedom of speech, corporate interests, and user empowerment in the digital age.
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Schwachkopf

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 231 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The government has been cracking down on free speech, with leaders filing many complaints against critics. This shows a troubling shift where people are getting punished for simply expressing their opinions.
  2. A recent case involving a retired man facing police action for calling a minister a 'moron' has sparked widespread outrage. This incident highlights how extreme responses to criticism can become a major issue.
  3. Politicians like Robert Habeck are using their power to silence dissent, suggesting that freedom of speech is only acceptable when it aligns with their views. This raises important questions about the state of democracy and personal freedoms.

In Sanctioning Amy Wax, Penn Targets Truth

Heterodox STEM • 234 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. There's a clash in universities between those who believe in objective truth and those who focus on social justice. This disagreement is affecting how knowledge is produced and shared.
  2. Universities are increasingly favoring identity-based policies over merit in admissions and hiring. This means some qualified candidates may be overlooked because of their race or background.
  3. The case of Amy Wax highlights the tensions of this debate. She faced sanctions for her views while other controversial opinions on campus seem to be ignored.

HELP us stand up for kids!

Disaffected Newsletter • 459 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. There's a big protest happening about children's rights regarding gender identity. People are concerned about how kids can be harmed by medical transitions.
  2. The protest is supported by a group that wants to separate the LGB community from transgender activism. They believe there are different interests and issues at stake.
  3. If you can't attend the protest, you can support it by watching it online and spreading the word. It's important to many who feel strongly about these topics.

Leading journalist calls Zuckerberg's free speech announcement "an invitation to genocide," EU parliamentarians petition for actions to mitigate the "systemic risk" of Elon Musk, and other lunacies

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 182 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Mark Zuckerberg announced a shift in Facebook's content policies, saying he wants to focus on free expression and simplify rules. He plans to phase out fact-checkers and bring back more political content.
  2. Some European leaders are expressing strong concerns about this approach, fearing it might lead to more dangerous speech online. They worry that American social media giants might undermine rules in Europe.
  3. There's a growing tension between American social media companies and European regulations, which could lead to major changes in how the internet operates in those regions.

Reasons to celebrate Trump's return to Facebook

The Exformation Newsletter • 117 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Meta's reinstatement of Trump's accounts highlights the power of self-regulatory organizations.
  2. The Oversight Board played a key role in Trump's return to Facebook, showing the effectiveness of this pathway for social media regulation.
  3. Meta's response to the Oversight Board's review showcases the influence and potential of non-governmental self-regulatory organizations in shaping industry standards.

Cancel Culture Datapalooza

Dreams in the Which House • 117 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The numbers around 'Cancel Culture' incidents are a topic of debate, especially in academia.
  2. In evaluating these numbers, it's crucial to consider the context of the data and how it's presented.
  3. Comparing modern 'Cancel Culture' scenarios with historical events like McCarthyism reveals nuances and complexities.

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

Bet On It • 422 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  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.

inviting you to break the law

bad cattitude • 213 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The government can sometimes tempt people to break the law and then punish them for it. This is called entrapment, and it happens online as well.
  2. Social media companies are pressured to censor certain speech, which blurs the line between being a carrier of information and an editor. This can lead to them losing legal protections.
  3. Censoring some views in favor of others stifles free speech. The answer to harmful speech isn't to silence it, but to allow more open discussion.

Dear Sarah Lawrence College

Disaffected Newsletter • 419 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The author feels ashamed of their degree from Sarah Lawrence College, seeing it as linked to negative aspects of modern education. They believe the school promotes a 'woke' ideology that they find problematic.
  2. While they had a good personal experience at the college, they now see the education they received as potentially leading to a closed-minded worldview.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of questioning authoritarian thinking and being aware of different perspectives outside their college education.

Creepy government-funded 'anti-hate' organisation run by a weird Egyptian man becomes Germany's first official internet censor under the Digital Services Act

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 200 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Germany has introduced a new system where selected individuals, called Trusted Flaggers, will report online content they consider harmful, including hate speech and fake news. This means that some people will have the official power to censor what goes online.
  2. The Trusted Flaggers must apply and show they are qualified to flag illegal content. This process allows almost anyone with the right intent to report content without complicated red tape.
  3. One of the first organizations operating as a Trusted Flagger is REspect!, led by Ahmed Haykel Gaafar, who has a background in studying online hate. They plan to not only report illegal content but also push for changes in laws around speech.

Europe On Cusp Of Mass Secret Censorship

Public • 434 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Free speech
  1. Europe is experiencing a crackdown on free speech by the European Commission.
  2. Twitter, now known as X, is refusing to comply with Europe's censorship demands.
  3. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has initiated proceedings against X for suspected breach of counter Illegal Content and Disinformation obligations.

The Truth Factories

Antimaterie • 98 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Free speech
  1. Dictatorships rely on fabricating new realities through 'truth factories' rather than just repression.
  2. Reality is shaped by invisible 'Reality Validation Institutions' that validate what we consider real and true.
  3. To safeguard against fabricated realities and maintain truth, protect free speech and uphold personal credibility values.

Links to Consider

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Unsolicited advice can create resentment if not asked for.
  2. Articles are graded on engagement with opposing viewpoints.
  3. University presidents may face increased accountability and scrutiny in light of recent events.

Ghosting Substack

Alex's Personal Blog • 361 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Free speech
  1. Substack's content moderation decisions impact its users and the platform's image.
  2. Allowing Nazis on a platform can drive away non-Nazi users.
  3. Seeking alternative platforms that align with personal values is a valid response to disagreements with moderation policies.

Links to Consider

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Compromising on social norms is harder than on material goods.
  2. Apple Vision Pro offers a high-quality home theater experience at a lower cost.
  3. Implementing reward systems in classrooms can improve behavior without destroying intrinsic motivation.

The Inauguration of Laura Rosenbury

Imperfect Information • 39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Laura Rosenbury was inaugurated as the ninth president of Barnard College after already being on the job for seven months.
  2. The past few months on campus have been tumultuous with protests, changes in policies, and reactions from various organizations.
  3. President Rosenbury faces challenges in leading the institution due to pressures from different groups, but her commitment to her role and the community is evident.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support this weekend

Unreported Truths • 33 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Building a community around sharing opinions and truths is really important. It creates support and understanding, especially during tough times.
  2. Legal battles about free speech can be frustrating. It's disheartening to feel that the government or others are not fully supporting your rights.
  3. Open discussions and respecting different viewpoints are crucial. It's okay to disagree, but we should listen to each other and not silence differing opinions.

Inside the Plot To Kill The Censorship Industrial Complex

Public • 336 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Evidence shows Stanford Internet Observatory demanded censorship of Covid vaccine information and interfered in the 2020 elections
  2. Government agencies like DHS-CISA secretly created the Censorship Industrial Complex, threatening freedom of speech
  3. Efforts are being made to dismantle the Censorship Industrial Complex and turn the tide against censorship advocates

Suppression of Free Speech at MIT: "On Pacifism" and the Ban on Written Revolution

Heterodox STEM • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. MIT recently banned a student magazine for an article discussing the limitations of nonviolent protest, sparking a debate about free speech on campus.
  2. The situation highlights how expressing controversial or radical ideas can lead to disciplinary actions at universities.
  3. The case shows the challenges students face when trying to discuss extreme views and the balance between safety and free expression in academic settings.

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
  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

Linda the Bank Teller Versus Freedom

Bet On It • 261 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  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.

How Dare They Not Denounce Me as a Racist!

Unsafe Science • 122 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Critics of microaggression research often face accusations of racism, which can stifle scientific discussion. It's important for science to allow critical evaluation without labeling dissenters negatively.
  2. Many claims about microaggressions lack strong scientific backing. Researchers have not effectively shown that microaggressions are widespread, harmful, or caused by racism.
  3. The current approach to discussing microaggressions may threaten free speech and genuine academic inquiry. It's essential to keep an open mind and question research claims for a healthy scientific environment.

Communication Breakdown

The Radar • 79 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Effective communication is essential for progress; without it, nothing can be achieved.
  2. Conflict is normal, but when unresolved, it can lead to disunity and loss of empathy.
  3. The decline in honest and fact-driven communication has led to a divisive national conversation fueled by biased media and financial interests.

An update on Berenson v Biden - and the Trump Administration's missed chance to take on Biden White House censorship

Unreported Truths • 29 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. The Trump administration previously criticized Biden's censorship actions on social media but hasn't actively pursued a case against them, leaving the question of accountability open.
  2. A judge ruled that Berenson did not have standing to sue the Biden administration, but acknowledged evidence of censorship without a clear way for Berenson to seek damages.
  3. The Trump administration has a chance to admit to past censorship and settle the case without admitting wrongdoing, yet it seems to be avoiding action on this issue.