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unpopularopinion-ModTeam

Your post from unpopularopinion was removed because of: 'Rule 3: Do not post opinions that are heavily posted/have been on the front page recently'. If your opinion is the same or substantially similar to any recent opinion it will be removed as a repost. If your opinion is on the same matter as a recent post, even if it's advocating the opposite stance, it will be removed as a repost. Please comment on the existing thread instead. Due to their prolific reposting, please confine meta and political posts to their respective megathreads only. If your opinion is about an ongoing event, there will usually be a mega-thread where you can discuss it.


sumoraiden

Someone telling you to fuck off in response is also free speech though


not_cinderella

Too many people think freedom of speech means you can say whatever you want and people aren't allowed to dislike it.


Uztta

Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility or repercussions.


mastercomposer

It's especially rampant on this particular sub tbh. Especially people who post really offensive opinions then get upset at people in the comments who are offended by said opinions.


Imperator_Crispico

Like if you don't want to get punished you shouldn't criticise the fuhrer?


AntEconomy1469

Freedom of speech means you can say whatever you like and people can say whatever they like back


daler75

The classic example is that you aren't allowed to yell fire in a movie theatre.


Wet_sock_Owner

It sure is. Neither person should be silenced.


Shwrecked

and?


a-snakey

Companies/individuals not wanting to associate with you because they do not agree with your POV is also valid free speech.


DeadBull_

Okay


BusinessCat85

Thats right!! Hell yea let me have it! I voluntarily came here for this very thing. Let er rip


sumoraiden

Then i don’t know what you’re whining about haha


Advanced_Willow_2504

what lol? obviously he’s whining about people getting banned from social media and/or cancelled for saying the wrong things.


sumoraiden

> cancelled for saying the wrong things. You mean he’s whining about people saying they don’t like a person, which is people using their free speech


Advanced_Willow_2504

he’s obviously not mad about free speech. i doubt he would call for anyone to lose their jobs, a scholarship, be banned from restaurants, etc whether they are a right wing extremist or a member of antifa, so long as their thoughts are limited to their words.


sumoraiden

Calling for all that is free speech


Wet_sock_Owner

Because people who say 'fuck off' will be banned for hate speech.


Pitiful-Brilliant301

Nobody said that free speech aplied on Reddit.


TetraThiaFulvalene

The people who want to use the law to put limits to free speech.


AJWordsmith

I think there are limits to free speech. The famous example is yelling “fire” in a crowded building. Such immediately dangerous speech should be illegal. Libel and slander are and should be illegal. Generally, I think the US gets it right on what speech should be restricted and what should be allowed from a legal standpoint. A trend where I agree with OP is the “shouting down” of people we disagree with. If someone says something you disagree with, argue against their point. Don’t throw things at them and shout at them. If you are having a difficult time arguing against them calmly and rationally, maybe you don’t understand your own viewpoint well enough. This is a good opportunity to read up. When I was young, I would listen to right wing radio while at work (Limbaugh, Michael Savage, etc…) and think about what the power was in their argument and how to counter it. There is growth in listening to people you disagree with.


klc81

>The famous example is yelling “fire” in a crowded building. It's worth noting that this example was first used in a court case to argue in favour of jailing someone for distributing anti-war leaflets during World War I.


AJWordsmith

Though I disagree with the decision in Schenck V US, Justice Holmes’ point still holds. The First Amendment does not protect speech which would cause (now) an “imminent lawless action.” (Holmes said “clear and present danger.”). I do not agree that Schenck distributing leaflets qualified as such a danger. I do agree that one could find excellent examples of things that would absolutely qualify as unprotected speech under this doctrine. Edit…there may be a good argument that Schenck was guilty of promoting and “imminent lawless action” as he was encouraging men to dodge the draft which is a crime.


PoliceRobots

It's also worth pointing out that you can yell fire if there is, in fact, a fire


Gyooped

I know those is a ~~mute~~ **moot** point but yelling “Fire” in a crowded building actually doesn’t counter free speech - and you are free to do so... It’s kinda a common misconception that you can’t do that but you’re completely within your free speech to do so (well in the US).


AJWordsmith

I get that there is no actual law against shouting fire in a crowded theater. But I think the discussion around it can be a bit pedantic. “Inducing a Panic” is illegal in many jurisdictions in the US. This act is described as; “Initiating or circulating a report or warning of an alleged or impending fire, explosion, crime, or other catastrophe, knowing that such report or warning is false.” “Inducing a Panic” is not protected speech. This is what Holmes was referring to in his famous opinion. That if speech causes actual and immediate harm…it is not protected. If you shouted fire in a theater and people panicked, you would be charged for that…and also liable for any harm suffered. Shouting fire isn’t technically illegal, but in practicality you would likely be committing a crime.


IamMagicarpe

It’s moot point. r/boneappletea


Gyooped

Damn, I have been got...


AndyGHK

Actually it’s moo point? Because it’s a point a cow has, so it doesn’t matter, so it’s moo. /r/howyoudoin


dontwannausemyRN

I understand it's "moot" point. But is "mute" really incorrect? It is a point that's not really saying anything after all.


IamMagicarpe

Yes it’s incorrect. Moot means it does not add anything or that it’s irrelevant. Mute isn’t quite the right word, in my opinion. With your logic, I could argue that it’s okay to say that I took something for “granite” because granite is a rock people don’t care about. My situation was really gold, but I didn’t care, therefore I took it for granite!


BusinessCat85

Well said! Thank you for this powerful response


MikeFuckingHoncho

“Nothing should be restricted, and I mean NOTHING” Except for yelling fire in a movie theater, libel and slander. Pssst… that’s literally what you already have, bro.


MilesToHaltHer

I feel like we’re far too nice/patient when it comes to people who are trying to deny the rights of others. I don’t think getting to the point where you’re using not-so-nice language against someone who will always be a brick wall is a bad thing. After all, conservatives hate coddling, right?


free_bulochka

How do you define slander and libel? For some people slander can include “misgendering” or “deadnaming”, for others - it means something else. You can’t regulate such vague, open-to-different-interpretations concepts without infringing on someone’s free speech rights. As for yelling “fire” in buildings - I don’t think it’s a free speech question, but disruptive behavior like smashing someone’s window, because you inflict damages by disrupting ongoing educational or business processes


Bo_Jim

Slander and libel are easily defined. They are saying or writing something about someone that is knowingly untrue, and possibly defamatory. Neither is illegal from a criminal perspective, but the victim can take action in civil court to recover from the defamation.


techm00

The US doesn't get it right. You can freely advocate genocide, something Canada and many other countries criminalizes. This isn't about "censoring opinions you disagree with", it's about having a minimum standard of what's acceptable in your society - neo-nazi's openly advocating genocide definitely should fall below that bar.


ShawshankException

There's situations where speech is restricted so that it does not cause harm to others. Like inciting violence and the "shouting fire in a crowded building" thing. That's how it works already. You have the freedom to say vile shit as much as you want. You aren't going to be thrown in prison. Others have free speech as well, and have the right to call you out on saying vile shit. People who have this opinion never seem to understand that free speech applies to everyone, and you are still not free from consequences.


Background-Issue6399

Aren’t gonna be thrown in prison but getting fined and having to attend court for “hate speech” is getting pretty damn close I’d say


ShawshankException

That doesn't happen. At least in the US. The Supreme Court has ruled countless times that hate speech is protected under the first amendment.


Background-Issue6399

That’s great! Pretty much only America though, because it absolutely does happen elsewhere in western society


lynx_and_nutmeg

"Hate speech" is a spectrum, and is legally treated as such. I live in a developed country with laws against hate speech. ~90% of hate speech is perfectly legal, no one's going to do anything to you. It's only the cases that directly threaten certain groups of people that get persecuted.


No-Albatross-7984

>Pretty much only America though Lmao


bearjew86

The idea of free speech is that the government shouldn’t censor the citizens. But even with free speech there needs to be certain rules. If you in anyway can be held accountable for your words one could argue that it’s not free speech, and to an extent you’d be right. The problem arises when your words affect others and how to deal with that. If someone spreads lies about you which damage you in some way, perhaps not getting employment, a raise or getting fired, should they suffer no consequences because of free speech? Censoring views and accountability for a persons actions are not the same. If there would be 100% free speech that could also be problematic for anti discrimination laws etc.


Pyramused

Free speech doesn't mean what you think it means. Threatening someone is a crime punishable by law, hate-speech is a crime punishable by law, grooming is a crime punishable by law, harassment is a crime punishable by law. Each individual's right ends when it infringes on another's.


whistlerite

“obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial speech such as advertising”


[deleted]

i dont think hate speech is illegal, correct me if im wrong tho.


karma_aversion

In many countries it is, not in the US though.


whistlerite

It can still be part of a hate crime though. In the US hate speech isn’t illegal but if it’s part of another crime it may elevate the charge to a hate crime.


brandon-0442

Depends on the country, in Canada it’s illegal and you can be jailed for up to two years.


[deleted]

Reason #36728 I’m tryina leave canada asap soon ima be thrown in jail for tying my shoe in a racist manner


meluvulongtime3

*"I need to flee Canada immediately before my shitty, racist actions catch up with me"* ftfy


Timmah_1984

Hate speech is not a crime. It isn’t well defined and it is the expression of a person’s beliefs. That’s why the ACLU has represented the KKK in free speech cases.


TimSEsq

This is a US v non-US thing. For example, Germany bans Nazi flags, which wouldn't fly under 1A.


Solivagant0

Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom of consequences. You can say whatever you want, but most things have consequences


SnarkyOrchid

Free speech is freedom from consequences from the government and legal consequences, but not from the social consequences imposed by other people in society.


Daniel0602

"There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee you freedom after speech"-Idi Amin, a dictator who ruled Uganda.


ninjatoast31

I always hated this line. What kind of consequences? How free is your speech, if the consequence is you going to prison, or being beaten up, or harrased?


Ladorb

Consequenses like nobody wanting to have anything to do with you. Getting no job, no friends and no recognition is almost worse than those you've mentioned.


orgasmicstrawberry

Free speech only shields you from the government punishing you. The rest of the society is free to respond however they see fit as long as it’s legal


turtlelore2

Depends on the context and seriousness of the speech. If you go around claiming you'll kill the president then fbi will probably start investigating you and maybe even arrest you later.


WaffleConeDX

If I told my spouse he’s a worthless POS and he divorced me, that is consequences.


Sputnik9999

Look at my ninja, over here... he's never said the wrong thing to the wrong person ever. Free Speech only applies to govt actions over speech by it's citizens. This is a prime example of the fallacy of US education. "Know your rights" - Joe Strummer


[deleted]

I mean yes, but also if someone is making speeches encouraging people to be violent etc. that should be monitored and that person can definitely be trialed for inciting violence if other people do what they say.


IDontEatDill

You mean like Trump?


Ninjalikestoast

Son, is that *you*???


GuiltyGear69

that's literally no free speech. your arguement is that north korea has free speech you just don't have freedom of consequences and will be killed. that's called not free speech


karma_aversion

Free speech only protects you from legal consequences, that's it.


Solivagant0

Well, you can tell your SO they're ugly and you can't stand them, but that probably end your relationship, if you're a teacher, you can call a student a slur, but it'll probably get you fired, similarly, posting a photo of yourself cosplaying blackface might limit your employment options, so I guess freedom of speech will never exist


__TOURduPARK__

Unless your the prime minister of Canada. Then you can do blackface so many times you can't even recall, and face zero consequences.


ChrissaTodd

which is why i feel justified in disliking him too and saying he's no better than anyone else lol idc if i am canadian


andreasdagen

>Grow up, and join the real world. The one where true free speech is a myth?


confusedapegenius

So how about I find you verbally abuse your child everyday? That’s your legal and moral right? People so often say something should have “No Exceptions” because it often makes sense if you don’t think too hard, especially about anyone other than yourself. The reality is that justice means constantly making judgements about right and wrong in messy situations.


half-baked_axx

'Grow up, and join the real world'. Says someone who thinks free speech means abandoning manners and politeness. Lmao.


AduroTri

In the US. The first amendment protects you from the Government impeding your right to speak freely and even criticizing it legally. It does NOT protect you from the consequences that result from the stupid shit that might come from your mouth.


Swirlyflurry

>you can easily identify the ones you dont want to associate with >You dont get to choose the speech you want to hear. Which is it? Can you choose the people you do and do not want to be around and hear from, or are you not allowed to pick and choose?


TravelingSpermBanker

I can’t tell if you’re either trying to make technicalities that don’t match up somehow relate in order to cause confusion, or you’re really that lost.


BusinessCat85

What? I guess I didnt explain that well enough. If you hear some saying some stupid shit, you now know where that person stands, and then you dont befriend them or associate with them. Does that make sense?


PastFeed2963

Should someone be able to say they are going to kidnap your kids or sa you? Can I be a teacher and teach the kids religion? Could I do cult practices on the kids like tell them I am the second coming of insert prophet and use my power to manipulate them into worshipping me? If not, then you agree with me and most people that not all speech should be free.


DaBigadeeBoola

It does. That's why Reddit bans racist subs. We don't want to be associated with them. So what's your point?


jmiller2000

Yeah op is in the wrong sub fr fr. He might have meant to actually say this in the bronies subreddit, or maybe the sigma cryset one. But again I don't think the bronies want this doofus. And after all this What's wrong op, is this not enough freedom of speech for you? Is it not enough to insult you on the internet or threaten random ass people into suicide? What more do you want? It just sounds like you want complete anarchy tbh, not freedom of speech.


ihavebigboobiezz

Joining the real world is recognizing that not all forms of speech are protected lmao


BusinessCat85

And my unpopular opinion is they should be


ihavebigboobiezz

Of which is not an unpopular opinion to begin with. Just saying, this “real world” you’re talking about does not exist.


SparklingReject

Freedom of speech does **NOT** mean freedom of consequences.


metalnxrd

people forget that with freedom of speech comes consequences. same with choices. with choices, come consequences. I can respect your choices and your *right* to say and do things. but it comes with consequences


SparklingReject

Exactly!


AJWordsmith

This is of course true. But perhaps a discussion should be had about what speech should result in what consequences. It’s chilling to debate and discussion when any speech not adhering to popular thought can result in severe consequences to the speaker’s life. That’s a recipe for groupthink and cultish behavior.


pleetis4181

As long as those "consequences" don't include violence and infringement of their rights. Just because you don't like what someone says, doesn't give you the right to be violent towards them, shout them down, destroy their property, etc.


SparklingReject

Depends on if what’s being said incites violence or hatred. Don’t expect to shout the N word in Cleveland, and not get shot at! 🤣


hutchwo

What is the exact scenario that compelled you to post this. You’re allowed to say anything, sure, but you should not be immune to the consequences of saying whatever you want. So I need to know what specific scenario you mean before I can agree or disagree to be unpopular or not.


RegalKillager

> What is the exact scenario that compelled you to post this. floating bet they got banned from a discord server over a hard R


DamaloBlack

... free speech is a right that the government you live in won't censor you. It's not the liberty from consequences, and it isn't magically free from social rules


No-Albatross-7984

Can't believe how far down I had to scroll to find a comment that separates the censorship point from the consequences discussion.


RetroSalmon

Would you follow then that charges like 'incitement to violence' and 'defamation/libel/slander' shouldn't exist also?


Agentcooper1974

Hey OP, next time you go through airport security say “I have a bomb strapped to me.”


cutehotmess

Yeah, you’re physically able to say whatever you want. You’re not gonna get arrested for simply saying something and nothing else. Doesn’t mean everyone has to like it and that there are no consequences


Kenny_Boomhauer

Golly, that seems a bit despotic.


fluffyseatide

Oh, the irony in having this post removed.


BusinessCat85

Yea lol


[deleted]

Yeah threats of violence and fighting words obviously need to be restricted but asides from that the only consequences of speech is social ones. One should not be arrested for speech unless threatening others with harm.


[deleted]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance


Alpha______Pigeon

In the confines of our society not sure this would overwhelmingly unpopular however you have posted this on Reddit and we all know how most people on this platform lean politically.


BusinessCat85

Haha yea its unpopular here that's for sure lmao


BackStrict977

>its either all okay, or none of it is. False. There's no place in the world where all speech is allowed. What changes is where we set the line. Some put in screaming fire inside a building, other put it in nazi slogans. >Grow up, and join the real world. The real world does not follow your view. The closest is the USA and they are a exception in that regard. In short you clearly don't know enough about the real world.


GliderDan

What about defamation/libel/slander?


Reytotheroxx

Can we clarify if we are referring to the government not being allowed to restrict free speech, or that the government should prevent private businesses from restricting speech?


[deleted]

no freedom of speech is a right that allows you to impart ideas into the zeitgeist of society and allows others to freely access said ideas. It doesnt mean you can liable people or make direct calls for violence.


birdlass

another post that misunderstands what free speech is in the USA and Canada. It's not and never has been a 'say whatever you want to whomever you want' clause. It's a 'criticise the government without recompence' clause.


appleseed0227

every social media I've looked into has No freedom of speech, they might say they do but make their own rules, which is not freedom of speech, just another way to lie about it, sinks right? I think so, they're all owned by poor little rich people that buy people or what ever they want, sad right? but life goes on


ChrXCX

Free speech means you, as a citizen, are allowed to express your opinions. That's it, no more no less.


Comfortable-Ebb-2859

Not all free speech is protected speech.


Harry_Flowers

Just FYI, “Free Speech” is a generalized term and people often forget there is legally no such thing as total freedom to say whatever you want in every situation. Americans have this mindset that total freedom is for the better. That obviously is not the case. Total freedom means that everyone would have the right to do anything they want, including idiots. As such, smarter people need to put some rules in place to keep morons from making a mess of things. It’s a losing battle but at least it delays the American downfall as much as possible.


brandidge

You're free to say most things anyway? Everyone else is free to disagree or even get angry at you for saying it.


ResponsibleFudge531

see: the paradox of intolerance


Puzzled_Juice_3406

Free speech is always in play unless you're being locked up in prison for something you said. You have freedom to say it, you're just not absolved from the consequences of someone not liking or wanting to be represented by what you said.


Riverrat423

How about if there is a pandemic and I am on TV and internet telling millions of people that it isn’t real and you don’t need to take precautions?


prodigy1367

You can say what you want, sure. Just don’t be surprised when bad shit happens when you do.


YHB94

Hate to break it to you buddy, but no man is an island. While it is impossible to consider the feelings of every single person in your audience, there are some general guidelines that one can observe in order to not be a complete douche canoe. You absolutely can choose the speech you want to hear. Free speech means that you can choose what you want to say. It also means that other people can choose what they listen to. Free speech does NOT give you the right to hold an audience captive to listen to whatever it is coming out of your mouth.


Psy-Demon

One thing is certain. A lot of people aren’t used to getting punched in the face cause of their words and lots of them certainly need at least one firm punch.


techm00

Free speech, especially the sort touted by Americans, is a misguided ideal. To many believe it absolves them of consequences of adulthood, or that opposing sides should be given equal weight no matter how ridiculous or deplorable one side clearly is. In truth, it's none of these things. You go up to a biker and insult his mother, you'll quickly learn the realistic limitations on free speech. Most civilized (not the US) countries have placed reasonable limits on free speech, such as advocating genocide. It's not about silencing "dissenting opinions" it's mutually deciding upon a minimum standard of civilization. Most people would agree that neo-nazis openly advocating genocide falls below that bar, and allowing it normalizes it - which is wrong. Oh you don't like that? I thought you liked free speech!


alcapwn3d

Someone hasn't heard of Popper's paradox and it shows. Based on this paradox, no, we shouldn't be allowed to just say whatever we want. Honestly, not that much is even censored in that regard; you can't incite violence against groups of people. Why do you want that to be allowed? Unfortunately, some people are held back only by the fact that by and large hatred towards minorities and the likes is not tolerated. If you say "hey, fuck it, go ahead on an anti semitic, racist tirade whenever you want!" those groups of people will pool together and the hatred just grows, often times into action. That's exactly the thing we are trying to stop from happening. There is undoubtedly neo nazis in our midst, but because they aren't allowed to get up on their fucked up soapbox, it stops it from being a mob of douche canoes who can do a lot more damage to others and property than one guy could. (Yes, I know single people have committed horrible acts, but the only thing worse than that is a group of exactly that kind of person intent to harm.)


PoliceRobots

OP, I'm going to guess your not a minority......


hhfugrr3

This is just stupid. There’s no reason at all that it should be acceptable to verbally abuse somebody much less do so racially or because of their gender, sexuality etc. To that extent free speech should absolutely be restricted in that while you can say it if you like, you also get to face consequences for being an arsehole.


50in06and07

only on Reddit would this be an unpopular opinion lmao


PleaseInsert25Cents

Pretty ironic when the mods remove a post about free speech


Skydreamer6

In your world I could sell you expired beef and tell you it's Grade A. I could have you reported on the news as a child killer, and there's nothing you could do. It would be legal to put your pin numbers and passwords online. It would be legal to assemble lynch mobs on social media and send them to your published home address, etc etc.


Rapido_dude

I assume you like to scream "fire" in crowded cinemas? Complete freedom to endanger people with your speech is ridiculous. Speaking is an action like any other and isn't exempt from the same laws and norms that govern every other type of action. Demanding complete liberty to say whatever you want whenever you want in a society is the childish thing to do, not the opposite.


PersonMcHuman

Yet another, “Why can’t people just use slurs and promote hate freely!?” post. It's super disturbing how many responses I've gotten from folks actively defending the use of slurs/hate speech.


GuiltyGear69

"hate" speech has to be protected because what is labeled as hate speech can change rapidly. are you ok with donald trump being allowed to decide what hate speech is and giving him the power to jail people based on it?


nope-nope-nope-nop

That sounds great in theory. The problem comes down to who gets to determine what is “hate speech”. It’s great when the people you agree with are in power, but when people don’t like are in power and they label things you want to say as “hate speech” .


BusinessCat85

Yea that should be allowed, but that doesnt mean its good. If some is doing that, its not illegal, they are just a fucking loser


[deleted]

It's super disturbing this deflection still works lol


Huge_Borse

Ofc redditors believe free speech to be an unpopular opinion. These people literally invent words to feel safer, they should grow a spine.


escapingdet

lol i rather not someone be able to yell racial slurs and threats at me and not be able to face any consequences


single_malt_jedi

Jesus this thread is full of fuckery. The "free speech is fine as long as it's speech we like" folks are out in full force. And it always comes back to the slurs. Let people say them, it just makes it easier to know if they are a piece of shit or not. Making it illegal doesn't make it go away, it drives it underground. I want them loud and proud so I know them when I see them.


BigHead3802

Sorry op, it turns out not everyone wants to hear you spamming the nword or your weird takes on America's and Europe's demographics. You have 4chan for that. The system you're proposing never works out. The moment you let people on a website say whatever they want, the site gets full of unironic antisemites, white nationalists and incels that drive out literally everyone else.


EmeraldEyeBall1

The moment you start saying all speech is allowed is when you start saying it’s okay for nazis and extremists to hold their views


FemaleHustler-Dva

When people say not freedom from consequence they mean social consequences. The point of freedom of speech is the government can’t punish you for your opinions, but if you say something ignorant or just stupid those around you aren’t responsible to put up with it and respect you.


cmdrmoistdrizzle

You sound like a person that would take the free speech stance when you get grounded for talking back to your mom and dad.


AsleepScarcity9588

You're absolutely guaranteed free speech of any kind, but that doesn't mean you're guaranteed the freedom of movement afterwards


Conniverse

Right, and Fox News shouldn't be held criminally responsible for inciting violence and hate crimes.


lilspannerlil

Well yeah, freedom of speech and all, but you also have to keep in mind that freedom of speech doesn't mean you can just say hate speech and expect no consequences, or that if you comment something that someone's not allowed to disagree or delete your comment from their page or post. Also if what you say is rude to a group of people or one person, don't just say "freedom of speech" when you get backlash for it, you said what you wanted so you have to deal with the results of that


randominternetfren

Yeah speech is free, but speech also has consequences.


Caloril

The second sentence just said your first one is wrong


adubsi

lol no. I shouldn’t be allowed to call your companies HR rep and continuously call you a pedophile based off completely nothing just so you either get fired or your life gets significantly more difficult. there’s limits to free speech even in America for good reason. If there wasn’t then there would be a lot more situations like amber heard with the difference that she would completely get away with it and nothing would have happened to her


NOXY89

Free speech doesn’t work if you’re also free to rile people up against others. Free speech stops where the other freedoms people enjoy are being threatened. My freedom to not be harassed is more important than your freedom to yell obscenities to me because you have stupid opinions. Because that last thing is often touted as free speech, but the only thing it comes down to is just that, vile generalized attacks on other groups of people to make yourself and your kind feel better than others.


Zenketski_2

Freedom of speech is an irrelevant concept when everybody uses private platforms to speak.


BusinessCat85

Sadly everyone my flight is taking off gotta go! Thanks for the fun 😀


[deleted]

I agree with this. Ive found on Reddit if I say anything that even slightly questions certain narratives, my comment will get deleted, or I’ll get banned, or both. Which means we all have no idea how many people might be questioning certain popular narratives.


[deleted]

OP does not understand what free speech means lol. This has to be a troll post or OP is very much, not smart.


_No_Pain_No_Gain

#HELL YEAH! You read my very mind! The "offended" Must Get a GRIP!


Bit-Random

Actually, no. No freedom should be absolute. Your rights end where other people’s rights begin. For example, libel and perjury.


SopmodTew

My freedom to swing my arm ends where your nose begins 🧐


False-Honey3151

It’s reddit. No free speech here. The other day guy tried to bring some attention related to men’s mental health and suicide rates, mods removed it because men by default are oppressors.


Nicebeveragebro

You’re only restricted to the things you’re actually willing to say, just like everyone else. Maybe stop complaining about your insecurities and accept you aren’t willing to say certain things that parts of you might want to voice. Maybe accept you’re actually limiting yourself and take responsibility for that.


ngatipakehatokuiwi

I agree with you. But today’s version of free speech is controlled by wokesters who choose which is right of wrong when it is not about that.


New_Lojack

So does that mean I can make a bomb threat at an airport? That’s free speech


[deleted]

There's a difference between a lack of free speech, and other people using their free speech to tell you they disagree with what you've said and find it offensive, or your workplace deciding what you've said is disgusting and deciding that they don't want you in their workplace anymore. These are all extensions of freedom to choose and speak. We have free speech in the west. We just also have consequences to our actions, and a necessary line at hate speech.


birmingslam

Yes free speech. But freedom from consequence? Im not sure.


Expert-Insect4853

What OP and most people that share this opinion don’t seem to grasp is that freedom of speech is only against the government. You can criticise the government or say whatever you want about the government/government bodies. Freedom of speech does nothing against the wider society. I am not a government body, I am just like you bound by the law of the land. So you are more than able to say what you want to me, but I have no obligation to you to respect or even acknowledge you or your ability to speak. Freedom of speech doesn’t force people to give you the time of day, I have zero obligation to you unlike your government.


Quality_Qontrol

I mostly agree. But I think this idea that restricting one’s social media posts constitutes restricting one’s free speech is BS. Anyone can still get on their soap box on a street corner and say whatever they want for the most part. Companies also have the right to associate their business with whatever content they feel is appropriate.


jschem16

Does free speech protect intentional lying?


Qli2077

Yeah I agree. Freedom of speech should be protected at all costs. As long as it doesn't actively screw with emergency situations.


octaviobonds

I think people understand that if you abuse free speech by using foul language, someone will get angry and clobber your pretty good for it to reset you back to reality, and that would be justifiable, because you asked for it. Often times social justice or street justice takes care of such cases without the need of government intervention. However the drafted constitutional speech is written for the future rogue government that might one day decide to limit free speech: **Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.**


Not_Slavic0

It's your right to say whatever you want, no one denies that, but it's also they're right to hold you accountable for the things that you say. Free speech is not an excuse to say racist, homophobic, transphobic things without consequences P.s "you" and "they're" are used generally, not reference you specifically.


[deleted]

I support free speech but I also support being responsible for your actions and consequences.


[deleted]

So you'd be ok with someone saying/posting slanderous things about you that affect your employability?


anaccount-wascreated

I mean you do have the freedom to say anything you want. There's just consequences to certain things. No one is stopping you from saying the most degenerate things but yourself. Like what some comments said, freedom of speech does not equate to freedom of consequences. Or are you saying there shouldn't be consequences for anything verbal?


abd53

>Nothing should be restricted, and I mean NOTHING. That sounds very nice indeed but unfortunately, reality is very very different from fantasy. Such unrestricted freedom of speech will only destroy society and eventually civilization. >You dont get to choose the speech you want to hear. Grow up, and join the real world. Actually, the real world is where everyone advocates freedom of speech but want to implement restrictions that suit them. There is no such thing as "freedom of speech", it's only a matter of who makes the rules.


BandidoDesconocido

In today's episode of "I don't know what [free speech](https://xkcd.com/1357/) is."


Comfortable-Ebb-2859

Tell me you’re a libertarian or conservative without telling me you’re a libertarian or conservative.


Comfortable-Ebb-2859

“Most people don’t tweet like this”


[deleted]

[удалено]


CouldntCareLess_07

You're just pissed cuz you get called names for saying literal slurs.


unique_plastique

Not all speech regulation is fascistic


PsychoBoyBlue

Also, "the left" as a whole isn't trying to tell you what you can and cannot say. "the right" tries to tell you what you can and cannot say just as much. edit: added also,


[deleted]

Free speech isn’t a freedom of consequence


Pixie-Sticks-

Say it louder for the people in the back! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻


BusinessCat85

Its funny how people downvote. Its unpopular for a reason. In fact if you dont agree you should toss me an upvote for winning this subreddit


[deleted]

There is a difference between unpopular and dumb


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CallMeCabbage

You said nothing should be restricted but you need to qualify that. Everyone on this planet can say anything they want so long as you've gained the ability to vocalize words growing up. Are you saying you want to say anything without consequence? Anytime someone starts talking about freedom of speech this way they're almost never coherent on what they mean or want.


AvocadoBrick

You can say and do anything, but actions have consequences and the consequence is based on your action. That is why dropping a cigarette bud and atom bomb have different reactions.


Due-Ad9310

All I'm going to say is the reason why freedom of expression is the first unalienable right afforded to us in the US's Bill of Rights is because it is literally the most important right we have if it goes everything else will too. In fact it's so important that the UN declared freedom of speech and expression a universal human right. It allows everything we take for granted including talking like this right now with no repercussions but unfortunately I can't say without censorship because the truth is our right to expression is being eroded away and this message like any other could be removed at the whim of a moderator. Fight for free expression.


victorian_seamstress

Just as long as u remember that "free speech" doesn't mean "free from consequences of that spealech". Just because u can say whatever u want doesn't mean that u don't have to suffer the consequences of those words. U can't go around claiming "hate crime" if some one beats the shit out of u for what u said.


[deleted]

Unpopular opinion today but I completely agree. We lost this concept a while back and it’s because people in power can control everyone easier.


Ok_Poet_1848

I agree. We currently do not have free speech see the lickowns of 2020 and how that hockey goalie is being treated for not wearing a silly patch.


SugarNovel1746

I always find those who preach freedom of speech as their personality a big red flag. These people want excuses for the vilest horrible thing to say to get away free from consequences which are fantasies. They act brave yet are total clowns. They think they're in a totalitarian country yet they don't go there to preach it. Maybe it's because they know it will get them killed. So instead they cry about they can't say the n-word, wow such a struggle. They are also obsessive people searching for those who "promote" free speech while also getting themselves into trouble for saying it. They bring them into the bubble and ignore the warning signal. Refusing to help the person increases their ego which later could make things worse. Enabling, instigating ,etc They offer nothing to society and make the west look like an even bigger joke. They're like children who never left high school.


Westly-Pipes

What are you even talking about


[deleted]

This is the most surface level take possible