Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom to be a complete c*nt

There's been loads of stuff on twitter about freedom of speech lately. Many people lauding the fact that they tolerate, embrace even, views with which they don't agree so long as they're genuinely held and come under the remit of free speech.

What's that old chestnut that's always wheeled out at times like this? I may disagree with what you say but I'll fight to the death for your right to say it. I think some people have become a bit carried away with that sentiment.

There's a lot to be said for it: Tolerance is always good. Intolerance is probably the biggest cause of conflict in the world today. So that's all good then.

I also agree that 'being offended' is not a crime. It is, in effect, your problem and not something that can or should be rectified by the long arm of the law. Prosecuting people for saying or posting offensive things on twitter for example is not really what we should be about as a society. Mary Whitehouse could always have switched channel of course.

But this last sentiment, for some people, seems to be an 'absolute' and they use it as an excuse to 'push the envelope', a get out of jail free card of sorts. They seem to be saying: 'I can say or type anything - it's only speech after all, not physical violence - and you cannot take offence.'

And that's where I become a bit uncomfortable with the whole 'crusade' as it seems it is becoming. You see, to me, something doesn't quite stack up about free speech when viewed in this way.

I had a twitter conversation with a gay friend of mine about the anti gay ads being run in London on buses (which were eventually pulled by Boris): He said they should be allowed to run (even though they were proposing something that was scientifically proven to be untrue - that being gay can be 'cured') on the basis of freedom of speech. 

The thing is that these ads were not one person espousing his or her views, but instead designed to influence opinion. And that changes the ball-game as far as I am concerned. And just if you think that bus ads or any other form of advertising doesn't influence opinion, ask yourself why then do people pay a lot of money to run them? Of course it influences people about their views and choices and opinions.

And so does what people read on twitter. Yes we might say that we're a bit more worldly-wise than some, a bit more cynical, but twitter rumours spread like wildfire, presumably on the basis of our gullibility and belief in what we're being told. You starting to see the problem here?

So one could begin to make an argument about freedom of readership; that what we read should be - as far as possible - fair and true. That should be a 'right' for us? The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has volumes of rules to that effect. But that, when adopted and used by Government, is the other extreme, the way of total control, of Brave New World and 1984 and all that and not something that I would ever advocate. 

It is, however a direction in which we have been travelling in recent years with our anti-discrimination laws and, I would argue, the growth of the nanny state. So to a degree I can understand the backlash about freedom of speech that is now emerging. 

I'm just not sure that replacing one extreme with another is very helpful. 

I think freedom of speech a bit like a child. It's something you can have and love and nurture and value and protect It is perhaps something that you would fight for. Die for even, as many have in one way or another. But if you abuse it, mistreat it, use it wrongly, it should be taken away for its own protection. So that it can thrive and so that others who have children can love, nurture, protect etc.

Using it as a means to cause offense - not so you might offend someone who has differing views but to offend them personally when you're not making a reasoned point but deliberately insulting someone for whatever reason - is abusing that hard-fought freedom in my opinion. 

And doing that, in my opinion, puts in jeopardy the freedom of speech that is afforded to everyone else. By abusing freedom of speech in the way I describe, you are effectively threatening my freedom of speech and that is unacceptable to me. 

And as you have (presumably) said, threatening freedom of speech is unacceptable to you. You see what I mean when I say it doesn't quite stack up? 

Anyway, I think I've said as much as I can on this issue for now without going around in circles. The following are my feeble attempts to put the issue into 140 characters for twitter. Unsuccessfully of course - this is too big an issue for that, but nonetheless I'll share them with you. Because I have freedom of speech. For now anyway. ;) 

Is freedom of speech more important than respect? More important than getting on with your fellow human beings? More imp. than generosity?

Using freedom of speech as a shield allowing you to blatantly abuse someone is moronic. What does it achieve?

Freedom of speech is valuable & worth fighting 4 but using it in an arrogant: 'I can insult more people than you can' way is just stupid imo

With freedom of any kind comes responsibility & that means responsibility 2 respect other people just as they respect your freedom of speech

Using freedom of speech to deliberately cause offense, knowing that there is no other possible outcome from what you say, is half-witted.

Freedom of speech should be used to make a point and influence a debate not just to abuse people. Do that and you're abusing the freedom.

You can make a point by being rational, polite & reasonable: Using insults, even under the banner of 'freedom of speech' = lost the debate.

So whilst I might fight to the death etc etc., if you then use freedom of speech 2 talk utter shit, you might find me less willing next time

And if you miss-use freedom of speech to abuse people, don't be surprised when that freedom becomes more limited 4 the rest of us who don't.

So there you have it. Enjoy your freedom of speech, but remember that it does not give you the right to be a complete cunt. 

I've never used that word on twitter before and probably won't again. Feels good though.

Thanks for reading


Mark