Branches of Accountability - Free Speech and Our Responses
The United States federal government is famously based on the idea of three coequal branches that all govern each other. The congress represents the will of the populace, the executive executes the will of the populace, and the judiciary interprets the will of the populace. Each branch exercises some control over each of the other two. Regardless of the flaws that have made themselves apparent over the years, the theory is solid assuming good faith actors.
As I've stated before online, I'm a big proponent of Free Speech™ as an ideal. Not just for me or for ideas I like or agree with, but for all. As you can imagine, this has gotten me some flack online from time to time. There is some truly detestable speech that the state has no right to censor or curb. And it is my contention that it is in your best interest that it be so.
I see a lot of discourse online on what speech should and shouldn't be allowed. On platforms, in individual conversations, and by the government. Speech restriction has its place, but the legitimacy of the actor can vary wildly. And I think that we should think of the interplay between these societal structures as analogous.
