What is free speech?

If you ask different people this same question, in all likelihood, they will each present a different definition of what they believe free speech to be. In its simplest form, free speech is a mode of extracting truth from the noise. It is only through open dialogue, debate, and presenting a range of opinions that the truth emerges from our collective speech.

Some seek to censor, prevent, or suppress the free speech of others — and for a plethora of reasons. This can be attributed to a number of things, such as: an opposing viewpoint around a topic that is uncomfortable; one party is sure they are correct on a topic and do not want to engage; or one might seek to suppress speech for their own benefit.

The first situation could be the result of personal circumstances or a weak argument. When one does not allow their opinions to be challenged by others, they proudly watch their house of cards stand tall in a vacuum rather than testing the strength of their supposed ideological fortress to the winds of others speech. Their belief in the strength of their viewpoint is ultimately wrapped within a metaphorical cocoon, preventing any challenging ideas from disrupting their fictional reality.

On the other hand, one might be sure they know the truth on a topic that they do not seek to test the validity of that belief. Their reality and entire sense of being become so intertwined, they are enraged when presented with opposing views. They seek to suppress dialogue because their belief has become a part of their being and is so self-evident to them that their world would have to be shattered and rebuilt to accept another reality as true.

Lastly, people or groups may seek to suppress free speech for the purpose of preventing light from shining on the truth for all to see. This exposure of the truth may result in personal loss, financial disruption, an agenda being destroyed, or may even be incriminating. Those who seek to suppress free speech for their own benefit know where the truth lies, but they seek to jar and seal the truth for nefarious purposes.

The opposite of truth is falsehood or lies.

Living out a lie will only take one further down a path that allows for one to accept additional lies and greater falsehoods. Some may wish to live out the “ignorance is bliss” reality, however, following an incorrect path will lead to no good place. It will keep one on a trajectory that further misses the mark, especially the longer they are departed from reality and not corrected.

One may be steered by a falsehood accidentally or pushed down a false path intentionally — likely, for the manipulative party’s ultimate benefit. It is critical to continually seek out the truth in all aspects of life. That way, one can properly orient themselves to a target and move confidently towards that aim. It is only through uncensored dialogue and debate that the truth emerges. Engaging in free speech sheds light on the darkness. Ignorance is not bliss when one cannot see a danger that is lurking just beyond the light. No matter how hard the truth is to accept or realize, coming to terms with reality is a necessity to properly orient oneself in the world.

An antidote to deception is engaging in free speech.

Through this, belief systems will be put to the test and muddied falsehoods will be sieved away — leaving only gold behind. All players lose when the public square is shut down and free speech is prohibited. This blinds one from realities they were incapable of seeing and prevents one from preparing for future consequences. Instead, reality creeps up and hits them unexpectedly from their blind spot — but by that point, it is too late. Free speech is not a right that some should fight for while others hang back. Free speech is a necessity.

The consequences of removing free speech are catastrophic, as one may not see the danger hiding within the shadows that was never brought to light. The majority loses when free speech is removed, while the party impeding free speech profits with the advancement of their narrative.