Research: Restricting free speech isn’t the solution to violence and hate speech
Whether politics or comedy, left-wing, right-wing, or apolitical, free speech permeates every aspect of life. What’s more is that censorship has led to some of the world’s greatest tragedies and most oppressive authoritarian regimes.
Most people want less violence, racism, sexism, and bigotry. In order to achieve this, we must find the most efficient approach to increasing peace so that we can generate a sustainable social fabric in our shared physical and digital worlds. To this end, we must examine censorship from an empirical and scientific viewpoint in order to establish optimal solutions.
A child left to their own natural abilities will quickly learn language, mobility, social and self-control. Within two years we will have enough of each to navigate physical and social obstacles on owr own, based on examples we’ve witnessed from our birth. Should we interfere with that process the child will then depend on others for that control, and become dependent on the state to help solve puzzles we are well equipped by nature to lick on our own. This, I think, is where a liberal environment can help.
Let us speak. Let us make mistakes and correct them ourselves. Then, we can see where we excel and accomplish what we want, or fail and learn again. Silence us, censor us, and watch us grow into the monsters you would destroy.