“I do think free speech is important, that's the best way to discredit ideas in the sphere of public discourse. I don't think anyone has an obligation to listen to ideas they find repugnant, especially when their human rights are being litigated- that's up to the capacity of the individual listener.”
– member of my debate club, in a recent email
As if the main benefit of free speech were to protect one’s certainties and convictions and not have one’s peace of mind disturbed.
I appreciate free speech more for its potential to loosen the chains of certainty, allowing people to see, think and do new things.