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Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech by FIRE

Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech

from So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

by FIRE

Published: Thu Oct 30 2025

Show Notes

We tackle ten common arguments against free speech.

FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff and FIRE Senior Fellow and former ACLU President Nadine Strossen are the co-authors of the new book, "War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail."

Transcript

Timestamps:

Intro

Book's origins

Argument #1: Words are violence

Argument #2: Words are dangerous

Argument #3: Hate speech isn't free speech

Argument #4: About shoutdowns

Argument #5: Free speech is outdated

Argument #6 Free speech is right-wing

Argument #7: About that crowded theater and marketplace of ideas

Argument #9: Misinformation and disinformation

Argument #8: Free speech protects power

Argument #10: About the Holocaust and Rwandan genocide

Outro

Get the Book:
Purchase War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail.

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Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech | Podcst