Second, I think it is worth pointing out that there are definitely instances where, at least in my opinion, “canceling” is a valid tactic. Deplatforming violent rhetoric (e.g. Nazism, Holocaust denial, etc.) comes to mind as an obvious example.
If the people who determine what is cancel-able could consistently distinguish between violent rhetoric and non-violent rhetoric, and the boundary never expanded in some random direction, I would agree with you.
In practice, what often happens is that someone is cancelled over accusations of being a Nazi (or whatever), even when they aren’t. Since defending a Nazi tends to make people think you are secretly also a Nazi, the people being falsely accused tend to get little support from outsiders.
Also, given that many views that EA endorse could easily fall outside of the window of what’s considered appropriate speech one day (such as reducing wild animal suffering, negative utilitarianism, genetic enhancement), it is probably better to push for a blanket acceptance of free speech rather than just hope that future people will tolerate our ideas.
Also, given that many views that EA endorse could easily fall outside of the window of what’s considered appropriate speech one day (such as reducing wild animal suffering, negative utilitarianism, genetic enhancement), it is probably better to push for a blanket acceptance of free speech rather than just hope that future people will tolerate our ideas.
I think it was better to push for a blanket acceptance of free speech, but now that we’re already in the process of sliding down the slippery slope, I’m pretty skeptical this makes sense now. Not sure if you also meant “was”, but if not, can you explain more? For example would you endorse making LW a “free speech zone” or try to push for blanket acceptance of free speech elsewhere?
For example would you endorse making LW a “free speech zone” or try to push for blanket acceptance of free speech elsewhere?
I think limiting free speech for specific forums of discussion makes sense, given that it is very difficult to maintain a high-quality community without doing so. I think that declaring that a particular place a “free speech zone” tends to invite the worst people to gather in those places (I’ve seen this over and over again on the internet).
More generally, I was talking about societal norms to punish speech deemed harmful. I think there’s a relevant distinction between a professor getting fired for saying something deemed politically harmful, and an internet forum moderating discussion.
If the people who determine what is cancel-able could consistently distinguish between violent rhetoric and non-violent rhetoric, and the boundary never expanded in some random direction, I would agree with you.
In practice, what often happens is that someone is cancelled over accusations of being a Nazi (or whatever), even when they aren’t. Since defending a Nazi tends to make people think you are secretly also a Nazi, the people being falsely accused tend to get little support from outsiders.
Also, given that many views that EA endorse could easily fall outside of the window of what’s considered appropriate speech one day (such as reducing wild animal suffering, negative utilitarianism, genetic enhancement), it is probably better to push for a blanket acceptance of free speech rather than just hope that future people will tolerate our ideas.
I think it was better to push for a blanket acceptance of free speech, but now that we’re already in the process of sliding down the slippery slope, I’m pretty skeptical this makes sense now. Not sure if you also meant “was”, but if not, can you explain more? For example would you endorse making LW a “free speech zone” or try to push for blanket acceptance of free speech elsewhere?
I think limiting free speech for specific forums of discussion makes sense, given that it is very difficult to maintain a high-quality community without doing so. I think that declaring that a particular place a “free speech zone” tends to invite the worst people to gather in those places (I’ve seen this over and over again on the internet).
More generally, I was talking about societal norms to punish speech deemed harmful. I think there’s a relevant distinction between a professor getting fired for saying something deemed politically harmful, and an internet forum moderating discussion.