10 rules to preserve common sense in the debate about free speech

An open letter published in Harper’s Magazine signed by more than 150 esteemed writers and public intellectuals defending free speech provoked a fierce backlash. Welcome to 2020 social media.

The letter’s signatories declared, “The forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump, who represents a real threat to democracy,” but warned that the opposition shouldn’t fall into the trap of intolerance and rigid dogma. Some of the signatories were criticized for hypocrisy, given that they had previously allegedly sought dismissal of college professors. Critics also took issue with what they perceived to be the prioritizing of free speech over life-and-death matters such as the novel coronavirus pandemic and police brutality. Still others accused the signers, many famous and extremely well-paid, of seeking exemption from criticism. The hue and cry seemed disproportionate to the mild suggestion that “the way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away. We refuse any false choice between justice and freedom, which cannot exist without each other.”