Platforming
Let me say
right from the start that freedom of speech is a crucial aspect of living in a
democracy.
I also am
sure that freedom of speech should be limited to freedom that does not incite
violence against others.
On the
other side of this discussion is the whole issue of the cry that, “the left is
doing this”, i.e., limiting freedom of speech. Wherever that is proposed and
whoever may be doing the proposing, I am opposed to it. I have to say, however,
that it does feel to me that in some regions of our public life, I am not
allowed to disagree. It has almost come
to the point where, not only must I agree in my speech with things that I
inwardly really disagree with, but I am pressed to think “correctly” and
differently in my head. Who said George
Orwell’s Thought Police was a work of fiction?
However,
the left is evil and always are the people pulling the whole world down by
proclaiming socialist values like Health care, suitable housing, equality in
the workplace and respect for the individual. In contrast, the right is so
right it would never do such things. It supports freedom of speech. Really?
Maybe the
honest answer is that it is just using a cleverer approach to suppress such
freedom. Perhaps the big lie works better and is less transparent. Perhaps if
we use personal emails that cannot be checked, freedoms of information can be
circumvented.
Then, if we
have greater control of the press, what is reported can look like freedom of
speech, but it is platforming of a different order in reality.
Listening
to recent news discussions on certain politicians who others are accusing of
lying is that platforming of a different order, the defending politician with
regards to such accusations responded by saying, no, this is not lying its:
wishful thinking, it is an exaggeration, it is hope, it is what people want to
hear, and lots of other words but of course not of it is a lie, and none of it
is closing down real freedom of thought and speech.
Isn't it
the fact that both ends of the spectrum are keen to close down any thinking and
definitely one of speech that contradicts the current line that is being
pushed, usually in the interest of one segment of society whose plan is to push
said agenda above all else, no matter what anyone else thinks or wished to
say? In other words, you shall not
discuss; you must only agree. And in deciding, you must not only speak as we
would have you too, but you must think correctly too, and the thought police
will be watching. We will platform you either by not allowing you to speak or
by clever, subversive actions that present you being heard anyway. I am against
both methods, how about you.
Adrian Hawkes
www.adrianhawkes.blogspot.co.uk
W. 491
