‘self-censorship’

Speech Codes, PC Politics: When America is NOT “Charlie”

I am Charlie Hebdo, standing with Free Expression and against the violence that would destroy it. Perhaps you are Charlie Hebdo, too. But is America Charlie Hebdo? In many crucial ways, no, as America becomes more offended and less tolerant of free expression every day. Last week, I called CNN’s management cowards for refusing to show Charlie’s first post-massacre cover (it was neither obscene nor libelous). They self-righteously claimed their decision reflected respect and tolerance. Nonsense. Self-censorship to protect yourself from violence may be smart, but it expresses neither respect for others nor tolerance of diversity. Pathetically, The New York…

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Je Suis Charlie

I write for a living. I lecture large audiences for a living. I piss people off for a living. Je suis Charlie. My comrades were murdered for expressing opinions that others don’t like. Ordinarily, we’d call those murderers psychopaths. But because their instructions to kill supposedly came from their god rather than from random psychic noise, they’re considered “religious extremists.” That’s too polite. It subtly helps limit their responsibility for their behavior. Of course, that’s a primary goal of religion—to codify the ways in which people are not in charge of this world, and to provide a vocabulary for not…

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UK Censors Domestic Porn; No Pattern To What’s Banned

The United Kingdom just passed a law prohibiting domestic filmmakers from depicting certain acts in online pornography. It is an absolutely perfect example of how dangerous, how confusing, how pointless, and how downright stupid such a law can be. The law now lists thirteen things actors and actresses may not portray in domestically-made online porn films. Here are some facts about these thirteen: * The behaviors in every one of them are legal in real life. * You (yes, you) have almost certainly done at least one of these, and probably will again. Maybe tonight. * Every one of them…

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