Down with the Radish...

Dear Prudence · Black Bloc

Having just registered on your forum I've spent my entire afternoon reading loads of posts and replying to them... I was supposed to be writing an history essay.

I have no hesitation in blaming The Radish entirely for this disgusting example of procrastination...

A question for discussion though: do you think that absolute freedom of speech is the right thing? Or should there be limits?
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'Men make their own history, but not of their own free will; not under circumstances they themselves have chosen'
- Marx, 1852

http://robertating.blogspot.com

Matt · Sandal-wearing bean eater

This is a tricky Q!

On the onehand how can we develop as people and as a society if the "truth" about people and people's view points are censored & controlled when they try to express them?

On the otherhand should we provide a platform for hate, prejudice, dis-respect and intolerance?

On this website we are only censored by the 'law of the land', as should we break it, e.g. incite racial hatred, etc then the owner from whom we lease it will shut us down. I am fairly happy with this arrangement. However, the printed version of The Radish is a different kettle of fish entirely because we bust our asses, use our own money & may well (in some instances) be severely compromising/sacrificing our degrees to produce & distribute it. I for one would not be able to muster the motivation nor inspiration to do this if it preached hate, etc. I aspire for freedom of speech, but recognise limitations in print. Hence we don't promise to print everyone elses stuff. Hwr, we do support their right to produce their own paper, website, etc 100%. In my mind that is what freedom of speech is really about.
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If you try to make the world a better place then there’s a strong chance that you’ll suffer and probably feel that you have failed. However, if you do not try then you’ll certainly fail and will definitely suffer! As will those that you want to help!

doc_ido · Sandal-wearing bean eater

This was (and continues to be) debated ad nauseum at Radish meetings. Like Matt said, if we're busting our guts putting The Radish together, getting it printed and distributing it we're not likely to go through all of that for a bunch of writings we fundamentally disagree with.

I think that absolute freedom of speech is the right way to go - but it's a bit incompatible with human society at the moment. We have far too many people who are i) Powerful and easily offended and ii) Gullible and easily led. When we've evolved sufficiently that we'll respect other peoples' viewpoints as much as our own, however much we may disagree with them, we'll be ready for free speech.
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We cannot choose what we are. Yet what are we, but the sum of our choices?

Aphrodite · Meeting Facilitator

I believe there should be freedom of speech, but that freedom should inspire the speakers to take care with what they say. Somethings do not need to be said and and just cause trouble.