Pronouns are Rohypnol

The following article was removed from publication on Medium. We present it unedited for readers to make up their own minds. There’s a lot of chat around about pronouns right now. Specifically, ‘preferred’ pronouns. By which is usually meant, the pronouns a person would prefer other people to use when they are the subject being […] Read more

Why Variety is a Basic and Necessary Component of a Functional Society

Aaron Gleason presents his case on why the way to escape ridiculous culture warring is a multifaceted society which is characterized by genuine tolerance. I recently came across an older article critiquing the Trumpian Right’s “affirmative action” for conservatives. Much of that article was laudable, and I recommend reading it. But there ιs a fundamental […] Read more

The Deep Roots of the Illiberal Left

Illiberal attitudes toward free speech and expression have been a feature among sections of the Left going as far back as Marx and Engels. “Hate speech!” is a battle cry we’re all too familiar with by now, and “deplatforming”—the disinvitation of controversial speakers—has become common practice on progressive campuses. A reversal of the Voltairean pledge, […] Read more

Has Facebook’s Indiscriminate Banning And Arbitrary Moderation Killed Its Appeal?

Facebook’s “Community Standards” aim to combat “hate speech”: but arbitrary and unappealable decisions are deterring users from sharing on the platform. Facebook’s a global phenomenon — the fastest growing, largest social network in history. It unites families & friends like nothing that has gone before it. It generates enormous revenues, and is investing huge sums […] Read more

No Free Speech For Racists and Fascists?

As ever, the debate about ‘free speech’ continues to rage. But recently, I’ve seen it suggested that the only reason someone would defend freedom of speech for racists is if they were, themselves, racist. This just helps to demonstrate the point, however, that restricting freedom of speech for some people threatens everyone else. Many of […] Read more