It seems to me a repeating pattern that once freedom of thought, speech and expression is limited for essentially any reason, it will have unintended consequences.

Once the tools are in place, they will be used, abused and inevitably end up in the hands of someone you disagree with, regardless of whether the original implementer had good intentions.

As such I’m personally very averse to restrictions. I’ve thought about the question a fair bit – there isn’t a clear cut or obvious line to draw.

Please elaborate and motivate your answer. I’m genuinely curious about getting some fresh perspectives.

  • traches@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    18 hours ago

    I think it’s disingenuous to group freedom of thought with speech and expression. Limiting the first is impossible, while every country on earth limits the other two to some degree.

    My personal opinion is that you shouldn’t be able to hurt people in stupid, hateful, predictable ways.

    • anonymous111@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      11 hours ago

      Can you define “hurt”. Do you mean physically or emotionally? If the latter then I think it is too restrictive.

      • traches@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        6 hours ago

        In this context I pretty much mean advocating for genocide or fascism. That and I don’t think you should be able to lie out your ass and call it news.

    • Ice@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      12 hours ago

      They are tied, because the other two freedoms are intrinsically linked to the first. If a thought is not permitted to be expressed, then it is, for all intents and purposes, prohibited.

      Consider how often you forget something. I write things down to remember them. If that thought, expressed, were considered criminal, then it becomes a limitation also on thought itself.