Episode 68: Greg Lukianoff - Free Speech in America

Keep Talking

Greg Lukianoff is a journalist, an attorney, the co-author of "The Coddling of the American Mind," and the President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). During our conversation, Greg talks about freedom of speech in America, how social media has affected our propensity to speak openly, and the threats to free expression on modern university campuses.

As Greg mentions, while the legal support for free speech is strong in the U.S., it isn't in our culture. A citizen's right to free speech is the counterintuitive exception to the rule in human history. Free speech societies tend to be societies that are peaceful and prosperous. Cancel culture societies seem to be societies that lead to self-censorship, a zeitgeist of fear and suspicion, and an inability to rigorously pursue the truth.

The work of people like Greg and organizations like FIRE are crucial to the continuance of our sacred inheritance: a free civilization and a free people. And their noble mission reminds me of two quotes to be considered, one from James Hollis, the other from Václav Havel:

"Wherever there is a hysterical certainty, and there is much in our land, it is because doubt has already planted its black flag inside the soul and the ego is running away like a child."

"In everyone there is some willingness to merge with the anonymous crowd and to flow comfortably along with it down the river of pseudo-life."

------------

Support via Venmo

Support on Substack

Support on Patreon

------------

Show notes

Rate on Spotify

Rate on Apple Podcasts

Social media and all episodes

------------

(00:00) Intro

(02:29) Greg's interest in free speech

(08:06) Free speech: "the eternally radical idea"

(12:26) What happens in societies without free speech

(18:45) How free speech creates a more peaceful society

(25:48) Key observations from "The Coddling of the American Mind"

(36:03) Social media's effect on free speech

(45:06) Examples of cancel culture

(51:53) Respect for free speech must begin early in one's life

(59:13) What is the point of education?

(01:05:07) Antifragility and the importance of growth through struggle

(01:10:19) How overcoming mental health struggles informs Greg's beliefs