EP 941 Do We Have Too Much or Too Little Free Speech?

 How can we have too much free speech?  And should everyone have access to large platforms to express increasingly outrageous and unbridled opinions?  That was what I was asking in this conversation in the context of the infamous Tucker Carlson interview with avowed Nazi sympathizer Nick Fuentes.  Why platform him and extend his audience four times beyond what he otherwise would have?  And given that the emotional fragility of many in this moment might incite someone listening to act out in some manner?  And while my guest, Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a clinical psychologist, and author of “Can I Say That” finds his remarks detestable, as well, she holds the view that free expression, when suppressed, leads to greater psychological problems in the process.  It’s an interesting discussion. I paraphrase a lawyer who questioned Sen. Joseph McCarthy, during his Red Scare moment, in the 1950’s asking the question ‘have you no decency, sir.’ The lack of civility and restraint now occupies the speaker’s corner in America and in an era of social media the amplification of it is very loud and unsettling.  And while the First Amendment is often cited as giving me the right to say anything I want, it refers specifically to the government’s inability to suppress that speech.  Your employer can do it.  Owners of professional teams can throw you out of the stadium for being obnoxious.  Perhaps mom had the right idea.  If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.  Mr. President, are you listening?

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