Podcasts about free speech a history

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Best podcasts about free speech a history

Latest podcast episodes about free speech a history

Science Salon
Free Speech Under Fire? From Campus Protests to Deportations

Science Salon

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 77:54


Jacob Mchangama, author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, joins Michael to examine the evolving landscape of free expression amid rising political and cultural tensions. They discuss how far governments, universities, and tech platforms should go in regulating speech, and what's at stake when they do. In this episode: Should non-citizens have the same speech protections as citizens? Social media, mental health, radicalization, and the “moderation dilemma” The global shift toward stricter regulation of speech How today's most divisive issues test the limits of free expression Jacob Mchangama is the founder and executive director of the Future of Free Speech, professor at Vanderbilt University, and senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).

Ask a Jew
The free speech recession - with Jacob Mchangama

Ask a Jew

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 82:18


Happy Good Friday! Shh, we have a serious guest, everyone behave please in the comment section. Today we welcome Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is the author of the breezy beach read “Free Speech – A History from Socrates to Social Media”, research professor at Vanderbilt University where he is also the founder and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech institute, and a Senior Fellow at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression theFIREorg.JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON SUBSTACK! ASKAJEW.SUBSTACK.COMHere's what we cover:* Anne Frank is from Denmark, right?* Free Speech in the ancient world* When is speech actual violence?* The optimistics and pessimistic case for free speech* Back when the ACLU was cool* Immigration and speech* Can't we just make antisemitism illegal* The vibe shift* Mahmoud Khlalil* The future of free speechHere's your feel-good story for the week: An IDF reservist found this sweet pup in Gaza, who apparently ran over when he heard the soldiers speaking Hebrew. The soldier quickly discovered that this is no other than Billy, a dog that was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. He belonged to Rachel Dancyg, the ex-wife of hostage Alex Dancyg who was murdered in Gaza. Rachel's brother, Itzik Elgarat, was also abducted from the kibbutz and murdered in Gaza. Some sweetness in the midst of it all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast
Ep. 233: Rethinking free speech with Peter Ives

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 81:06


Is the free speech conversation too simplistic?  Peter Ives thinks so. He is the author of “Rethinking Free Speech,” a new book that seeks to provide a more nuanced analysis of the free speech debate within various domains, from government to campus to social media. Ives is a professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg. He researches and writes on the politics of “global English," bridging the disciplines of language policy, political theory, and the influential ideas of Antonio Gramsci. Enjoying our podcast? Donate to FIRE today and get exclusive content like member webinars, special episodes, and more. If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at thefire.org and would like access to Substack's paid subscriber podcast feed, please email sotospeak@thefire.org. Read the transcript. Timestamps:  00:00 Intro 02:25 The Harper's Letter 05:18 Neil Young vs. Joe Rogan 08:15 Free speech culture 09:53 John Stuart Mill 12:53 Alexander Meiklejohn 17:05 Ives's critique of Jacob Mchangama's “History of Free Speech” book 17:53 Ives's definition of free speech 19:38 First Amendment vs. Canadian Charter of Rights 21:25 Hate speech 25:22 Canadian Charter and Canadian universities 34:19 White supremacy and hate speech 40:14 Speech-action distinction 46:04 Free speech absolutism 48:49 Marketplace of ideas 01:05:40 Solutions for better public discourse 01:13:02 Outro  Show notes: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate” Harper's Magazine (2020) “On Liberty” John Stuart Mill (1859) “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media” Jacob Mchangama (2022) Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) Canadian Criminal Code (1985) Bill C-63 - An Act to enact the Online Harms Act (2024) McKinney v. University of Guelph (1990) “When is speech violence?” The New York Times (2017) Section 230 (Communications Decency Act of 1996)

Free Speech Unmuted
Free Speech in European (and Other) Democracies, with Prof. Jacob Mchangama | Eugene Volokh and Jane Bambauer | Hoover Institution

Free Speech Unmuted

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 42:23


How does European free speech law differ from American free speech law, when it comes to “hate speech,” blasphemy, and misinformation? Jane Bambauer and Eugene Volokh welcome Jacob Mchangama, who is CEO of The Future of Free Speech; research professor of political science at Vanderbilt; the author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media and other works on free speech; Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression; and a trained Danish lawyer who is one of the leading experts in comparative free speech law. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Eugene Volokh is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. For thirty years, he had been a professor at the University of California – Los Angeles School of Law, where he has taught First Amendment law, copyright law, criminal law, tort law, and firearms regulation policy. Volokh is the author of the textbooks The First Amendment and Related Statutes (8th ed., 2023) and Academic Legal Writing (5th ed., 2016), as well as more than one hundred law review articles. He is the founder and coauthor of The Volokh Conspiracy, a leading legal blog. Before coming to UCLA, Volokh clerked for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the US Supreme Court. Jane Bambauer is the Brechner Eminent Scholar at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law and the College of Journalism and Communications. She teaches Torts, First Amendment, Media Law, Criminal Procedure, and Privacy Law. Bambauer's research assesses the social costs and benefits of Big Data, AI, and predictive algorithms. Her work analyzes how the regulation of these new information technologies will affect free speech, privacy, law enforcement, health and safety, competitive markets, and government accountability. Bambauer's research has been featured in over 20 scholarly publications, including the Stanford Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, the California Law Review, and the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. ABOUT THE SERIES: Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Eugene Volokh is the co-founder of The Volokh Conspiracy and one of the country's foremost experts on the 1st Amendment and the legal issues surrounding free speech. Jane Bambauer is a distinguished professor of law and journalism at the University of Florida. On Free Speech Unmuted, Volokh and Bambauer unpack and analyze the current issues and controversies concerning the First Amendment, censorship, the press, social media, and the proverbial town square. They explain in plain English the often confusing legalese around these issues and explain how the courts and government agencies interpret the Constitution and new laws being written, passed, and decided will affect Americans' everyday lives.

De Technoloog | BNR
Van X tot Telegram; vrijheid van meningsuiting op internet blijft uitdaging

De Technoloog | BNR

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 61:56


Roerige tijden rond socialmediaplatforms. In Brazilië staat het X van Elon Musk op de tocht door een conflict met de staat en dan vooral het hooggerechtshof. Rechter Alexandre de Moraes heeft geen geduld met de techmiljardair en heeft X inmiddels op zwart laten zetten? Staat de vrijheid van meningsuiting hiermee onder druk? En hoe zit dat met de arrestatie van Telegram-CEO Pavel Durov? De topman van de berichtendienst werd aangehouden in Frankrijk en wordt medeplichtig gehouden voor allerlei cybercrimes.  Met onafhankelijk tech-jurist Geert-Jan Koning bespreken we het boek Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media van Jacob Mchangama en praten daarna door over vrijheid van meningsuiting op het internet. Sinds de introductie van de grote sociale platformen is dat één van de grootste uitdagingen op online-gebied. Hoe modereer je fatsoenlijk, zonder dat je mensen onnodig censureert? Ook kijken we naar de rol van de wetgevende macht. Welke rol speelt de Europese Digital Services Act (DSA) in dit alles? Is de DSA een fatsoenlijke wet op dit gebied, met zijn verplichting tot het modereren van content? Had Telegram eerder moeten worden aangepakt onder deze wet? En hoe zit het dan met X in Europa? Kan die app, met genoeg tegengas van Elon Musk, hier ook verboden worden? En wat zegt dat dan weer over de vrijheid van meningsuiting op ons continent? En hoe kan een middenweg er dan uitzien: het aanpakken van desinformatie, zonder het inperken van de vrijheid van meningsuiting?  Gast Geert-Jan Koning Links Free Speech van Jacob Mchangama Video YouTube Hosts Ben van der Burg & Daniël Mol Redactie Daniël MolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bankless
Why We Should Fight for Freedom of Speech | Greg Lukianoff

Bankless

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 90:11


Why should we fight for Freedom of Speech? That's the question that Free Speech Lawyer and Writer Greg Lukianoff helps us answer today. Using first principles, Greg goes deep into the importance of Freedom of Speech, “Free Speech Culture”, what happens to Free Speech when new technologies like the printing press and the internet are introduced, and how all this intersects with blockchains and crypto. ------

Gulf Coast Life
Encore: “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media”

Gulf Coast Life

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 31:52


The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The idea that individuals — or the press — have the right to express opinions and ideas without government censorship or interference, while not entirely unprecedented is far from the norm throughout human history. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution remains the gold standard globally when it comes to protecting speech. But, our guest says history shows that protecting freedom of expression cannot be guaranteed without strong support from those who it protects — and that includes strongly supporting the right to expression for those who we strongly disagree with.

Gulf Coast Life
“Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media”

Gulf Coast Life

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 31:52


The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The idea that individuals — or the press — have the right to express opinions and ideas without government censorship or interference, while not entirely unprecedented is far from the norm throughout human history. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution remains the gold standard globally when it comes to protecting speech. But, our guest says history shows that protecting freedom of expression cannot be guaranteed without strong support from those who it protects — and that includes strongly supporting the right to expression for those who we strongly disagree with.

Tangle
RE-RUN: Jacob Mchangama on the history of free speech.

Tangle

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 37:56


Hi all! We are on vacation this week, but to keep things flowing, we are bringing you some past editions. We will return with new episodes beginning Monday, August 21, 2023. Have a great week! Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer, human-rights advocate, and social commentator. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. He is also the author of ⁠Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media⁠, which is why he is here today. You can⁠ subscribe to Tangle by clicking here⁠ or drop something⁠ in our tip jar by clicking here.⁠ This podcast is written by Isaac Saul and produced by Trevor Eichhorn. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75. Our newsletter is edited by Bailey Saul, Sean Brady, Ari Weitzman, and produced in conjunction with Tangle's social media manager Magdalena Bokowa, who also created our logo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/support

Ideas Having Sex
25. Jonathan Rauch - The Constitution of Knowledge

Ideas Having Sex

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 74:54


Jonathan Rauch describes the social norms and institutions that generate knowledge.Follow @IdeasHavingSexx on Twitter.Today's book: The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of TruthJonathan's website, Twitter, and author page.Braver AngelsRecommended works: The Logic of Scientific Discovery and The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper; The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt; Politics and the English language by George Orwell; Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media by Jacob Mchangama; HATE by Nadine Strossen

Cato Daily Podcast
Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media

Cato Daily Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 21:47


The United States is an outlier (in a good way) in the protection of speech. Jacob Mchangama is author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maxim Institute Podcast
Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama

Maxim Institute Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 32:29


On November 4th this year Maxim Institute, in partnership with the Free Speech Union, hosted international human-rights advocate and free speech expert Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is the founder of the Justitia institute, the Copenhagen-based human rights think-tank. Having written and narrated the podcast Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech and authored Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, Jacob is a prominent and experienced figure in the free speech space. In this presentation, Jacob offers some historical context to our current free-speech climate, outlining some of the dangers he sees in limiting free speech and responding to questions from the audience. We are pleased to present this recording of the event to you; we hope that you will find it insightful, instructive, and challenging.

Taxpayer Talk - podcast by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Danish Free Speech advocate Jacob Mchangama

Taxpayer Talk - podcast by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 51:24


This week, Peter Williams hosts free speech campaigner Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer who recently visited New Zealand. His visit was prescient as the Justice Minister Kiri Allan has recently promised that hate speech legislation will be in our Parliament by the end of the year. Jacob is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. Jacob's book 'Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media' was released earlier this year which provides and insightful overview of how free speech has been viewed in different societies across history.  Peter also has a piece of correspondence regarding last week's guest Dr Claire Charters and wonders if that letter would be able to see the light of day under Kiri Allan's new laws.To support Taxpayer Talk, click hereIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions feel free to email peter@taxpayers.org.nzSupport the show

RNZ: Saturday Morning
Jacob Mchangama: the historical limits on free speech

RNZ: Saturday Morning

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 33:29


Earlier this week the government announced plans to introduce hate speech legislation. Such legislation has not always proven successful, as Danish lawyer Jacob Mchangama shows in his book Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.

Free Expression
Is There a Free Expression Recession?

Free Expression

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 52:02


In this inaugural episode, Dax provides an introduction for the series, explaining the concept of free expression, its importance for democratic societies, and why it's the focus of so much controversy recently. The episode also features an interview with Jacob Mchangama, author of a new book about the history of free expression, titled Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.  Audio post-production by Mike Contos. Music by Truth and Fact by Hans Atom (copyright 2022). Special thanks to Richard Mailey and Patricia Paradis.

Watching America
Jacob Mchangama: Free Speech (from Socrates to Social Media)

Watching America

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2022


Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer and human-rights advocate who has worked with Columbia's Global Freedom of Expression Center in New York and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focused on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. Mchangama's new book, “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media,” was praised by P.J. O'Rourke as “the best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free speech ever made.”

Higher Ed Now
Jacob Mchangama: "A global free speech recession"

Higher Ed Now

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 48:28


Jacob Mchangama is human rights lawyer in Denmark. He is the founder and executive director of Justitia, a think tank which aims to promote the rule of law and fundamental human rights and freedom rights both within Denmark and abroad by educating and influencing policy experts, decision-makers, and the public. From 2018-2020, Jacob hosted a podcast, “Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech.” He is the author of “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media” published by Basic Books in 2022.  In today's episode he sits down for a wide ranging conversation on free speech with Steve McGuire,  ACTA's Paul and Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom.

The Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed
Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger: Mr. Free Speech

The Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 52:50


Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer, civil libertarian, human-rights advocate, and writer. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a think tank. He is an old friend of Jay's, and a favorite of Jay's. Mchangama's new book is “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.” Of the book, the late P.J. O'Rourke […]

Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger

Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer, civil libertarian, human-rights advocate, and writer. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a think tank. He is an old friend of Jay's, and a favorite of Jay's. Mchangama's new book is “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.” Of the book, the late P.J. O'Rourke said, “The best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free... Source

Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger

Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer, civil libertarian, human-rights advocate, and writer. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a think tank. He is an old friend of Jay’s, and a favorite of Jay’s. Mchangama’s new book is “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.” Of the book, the late P.J. O’Rourke said, “The best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free... Source

Heterodox Out Loud
Ep. 40: Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media, Jacob Mchangama

Heterodox Out Loud

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 30:54


In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore the history of free speech, how the understanding of it has changed, and the volatile swings in public opinion about this core value. Our guest is Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer, human-rights advocate, and social commentator. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. He's also the author of the acclaimed new book, “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.” Blog post: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social MediaLet us know what you think! For comments and questions email communications@heterodoxacademy.org.This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content.Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews.

The History of the Americans
The Road to Plymouth Part 2: John Smith’s Invention of New England and Some Other Stuff

The History of the Americans

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 34:16


It is 1614. John Smith of Jamestown fame is now looking for a new gig, and he sets his gimlet eye on the northeast coast of North America. He travels the coast in a small boat, and by 1616 has produced a tract called "A Description of New England" with an accompanying map. He gives New England its name, and makes the case for the English settlement of the region. He would not get his gig, but his writing and fund-raising campaign would change the course of history. Along the way we notice that Smith has something quite important to say about Francis Drake. And we enthusiastically recommend Jacob Mchangama's new book, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast References for this episode Walter W. Woodward, "Captain John Smith and the Campaign for New England: A Study in Early Modern Identity and Promotion," The New England Quarterly, March 2008. A Description Of New England Or The Observations And Discoveries Of Captain John Smith Melissa Darby, Thunder Go North: The Hunt for Sir Francis Drake's Fair & Good Bay The Wizard of Oz (Melting)

It is Discernable®
Jacob Mchangama: What is the point of Free Speech?

It is Discernable®

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 64:06


Jacob Mchangama is the founder of Justitia, Denmark's first judicial think tank with a focus on human rights, freedom rights, and the rule of law. A practising attorney for many years, Jacob has become one of the world's most sought-after and awarded experts on free speech driven by his extensive writing and media work. His most recent book Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media chronicles the history of that 'bedrock of democracy' and has been praised as 'the best defence of free speech ever made'. He joined Discernable to explain whether free speech is a luxury or a foundational principle, and who suffers and benefits from free speech. We also looked at research on the Australian perspective of free speech. Watch the full interview fast and ad-free at: https://discernable.io/jacob-mchangama-what-is-the-point-of-free-speech ------------------------------------- DISCERNABLE The Video Archive: https://discernable.io Prefer audio? Search for 'It Is Discernable' on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Join our Private Community: https://discernable.locals.com Purchase tickets (and replays) to our Town Halls: https://discernable.io/townhall JACOB MCHANGAMA https://www.freespeechhistory.com https://twitter.com/JMchangama https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdl1Iu0849d4UXQJvg8ondg https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-mchangama-a0b730 https://www.facebook.com/freespeechhistory https://soundcloud.com/user-859605085 FREE SPEECH: A HISTORY FROM SOCRATES TO SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541600495/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NJ2337X3QSECYRTR3GK1

Derate The Hate
Episode 108: Does Free Speech Mean More Hate Speech?... with Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities

Derate The Hate

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 62:10


In this week's episode, I am joined again by my friend Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities. We're shaking things up a little this week and doing things a bit different. Some current events have been on my mind as they are quite divisive, bringing out the hate in a lot of folks, so I've asked my friend Dan to join me for a conversation on those topics.Our conversation starts with a discussion on Free Speech and Elon Musk's pending purchase of Twitter. The mere thought of an individual proposing a “free speech” environment, purchasing the social media platform has many (of a certain mindset) apoplectic…A whole lot of hate has been on display over the past week regarding the leaked Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade… There are an awful lot of misconceptions and ignorance floating around the internet ecosystem on this topic, and as the DTH listeners know, ignorance tends to lead to a whole bunch of HATE…The perpetual victim mentality was on full display again this past week here in the state in which I live, Minnesota, when the mother of Daunte Wright decided to confront police with some attitude after seeing a high-risk arrest taking place along a Minnesota highway. This is not helpful and just leads to enhanced problems and hate…So grateful to have been joined again by my friend Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities for this conversation. If you're in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and you want to learn more about the great work FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism) is doing, FAIR Twin Citie's quarterly event may be of interest…  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fair-quarterly-meeting-tickets-329699258357Jacob Mchangama ( @JMchangama ). Jacob is a Danish lawyer, author, human-rights / free speech activist, and social commentator. His new book, “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media” was recently included in a CBS Story ( https://www.cbsnews.com/news/this-week-on-sunday-morning-february-20-2022/. You can see Jacob's info on FAIR facebook, twitter, website.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people, and that begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another, be grateful for everything you've got, and make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on Facebook, MeWe, Instagram, Twitter . Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio. Please leave us a rating and feedback. Send me a message on any media platform or subscribe directly from our sites. Let us know about someone you think should be on our podcast, and if we book them for a conversation, I'll send you a free gift! Not on social media? You can share your thoughts directly with me at wilk@wilksworld.comI look forward to hearing from you!Please check out our affiliates page by clicking HERE!

Tangle
INTERVIEW: Jacob Mchangama on the history of free speech

Tangle

Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 37:43


Jacob Mchangama is a Danish lawyer, human-rights advocate, and social commentator. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. He is also the author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, which is why he is here today. You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our podcast is written by Isaac Saul and produced by Trevor Eichhorn. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75. Our newsletter is edited by Bailey Saul, Sean Brady, Ari Weitzman, and produced in conjunction with Tangle's social media manager Magdalena Bokowa, who also created our logo. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tanglenews/support

The Atlas Society Presents - The Atlas Society Asks
The Atlas Society Asks Jacob Mchangama

The Atlas Society Presents - The Atlas Society Asks

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 60:30


Join CEO Jennifer Grossman and Danish lawyer Jacob Mchangama for the 102nd episode of The Atlas Society Asks! As a human-rights advocate and social commentator, Jacob Mchangama has recently published his book "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" where he describes how free speech appears to be in recession and calls on some of history's greatest philosophers to act as chief witnesses in the defense of free speech today.

Christopher Lochhead Follow Your Different™
270 Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama, Author of “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media” 

Christopher Lochhead Follow Your Different™

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 85:40


Free speech is often called the first freedom and the bedrock of democracy. Our guest today says that on one hand, free speech around the world has never been better. But right now, we are experiencing a free speech entropy in the United States. On this episode of Christopher Lochhead, we have a deep dialogue about Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama. Jacob Mchangama is a global expert on free speech. Political satirist PJ O'Rourke says that his new book is. “The best history of free speech ever written, and the best defense of free speech ever made.” That book is called Free Speech: a history from Socrates to social media, and it is out now. Jacob is a Danish lawyer, and the founder of Justicia, a Copenhagen-based think tank that focuses on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. So if you want to learn more about free speech, how it has evolved through history, and what it will look like in the future, stay tuned to this episode. Jacob Mchangama on Free Speech The conversation begins on Jacob's work on free speech, and his new book about it. He was then asked about what his thoughts on the current state of free speech in the world today. According to Jacob, we've never had it better. It may not be as apparent in the US, but if you consider the rest of the world, people get to speak out more than ever before. Most of which was born with the proliferation of the internet, and the wide reach it provides. “You and I can speak there's no censor, making sure that we don't say inappropriate things. And you know, so technology, internet has given us unprecedented opportunities.” – Jacob Mchangama Recession of Free Speech It is really the golden age of free speech. Though according to Jacob, it is an age that is currently in decline. As things enter a more stable period after a boom of ideas, a state of entropy starts to set in. It is no different with free speech, as Jacob explains: “Every time there's a period in history where free speech is now sort of secure and we've turned the corner, a process of free speech entropy sets in. “ – Jacob Mchangama This comes after the European Union is in the process of adopting a law which would, which says that social media companies have to remove your illegal content within a short timeframe or risk huge fines. Social media themselves are almost self-censoring to a point, restricting certain content from appearing on people's search results and feeds. The Evolution of Free Speech in the US Moving the topic to the US side of things, Jacob finds the US and its take on free speech fascinating. According to him, it seems that free speech has evolved and grown over the years, and yet the first amendment and its wording has remained the same. The evolution stems on how the US society interprets these words, leading to the growth of its scope and reach. As Jacob puts it, nowadays it's difficult to imagine what you could say to a sitting US president that would get you in jail, short of direct threats or incitement of violence. Yet in the old days, you could go to jail for making a snide remark about an incumbent president. But this same flexibility and reach is what's putting free speech in a tight spot. With the wide reach of the internet also comes rampant misinformation. The issue is some of the people peddling misinformation is hiding behind the notion of free speech, which makes it difficult to remove once and for all. Though for Jacob, it will all boil down to how we, as a society, will decide on what's acceptable or not. “Ultimately, I think that the culture of free speech is probably more important than the legal language, or a legal statute, or constitutional protection. Because ultimately, the culture of free speech is what will inform where we draw the limits, and how we interpret the legal protections that we have.” – Jacob Mchangama To learn more about Jacob Mchangama and the current state of free speech in the US and around the world,

Campbell Conversations
Jacob Mchangama on the Campbell Conversations

Campbell Conversations

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2022 26:43


On this week's episode of the Campbell Conversations, Grant Reeher speaks with Jacob Mchangama. He's a lawyer, and founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech and the rule of law. He recently published the book, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media."

Free Thoughts
Free Speech, A History (with Jacob Mchangama)

Free Thoughts

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2022 51:57


Where does our idea of free speech come from and why is it so powerful? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Conversations With Coleman
The History of Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama (S3 Ep.11)

Conversations With Coleman

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2022 80:08


My guest today is Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is a lawyer and writer based in Denmark. He's the founder of Justitia, a think tank focused on human rights and freedom of speech. Jacob is also the producer and narrator of the excellent podcast called Clear and Present Danger.Jacob and I discuss his brilliant new book: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. We talk about the Danish cartoon controversy and Charlie Hebdo. We also discuss the so-called "Milton's curse"; which is the habit of hypocritically defending free speech for some, but not for others. I think this point is relevant to some of the bans that we've been seeing on Russian state news.We talk about the notion of power relations and its relationship to free speech, the relationship between censorship and human nature, and the importance of having a culture of free speech in addition to having laws that nominally protect it. We also talk about the origins of what Jacob calls "egalitarian free speech" in ancient Athens, the First Amendment and its evolving interpretation over time, and the alleged exceptions to protected speech such as hate speech or shouting fire in a crowded theatre. We go on to discuss whether censorship actually works, big tech companies and their role in censoring speech, similarities between the rise of the printing press and the rise of the Internet, cancel culture, the threat to free speech posed by China and the CCP, and much more.This was one of my favorite conversations that I've had so far this year, and I hope you enjoy it.

Conversations With Coleman
The History of Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama (S3 Ep.11)

Conversations With Coleman

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2022 83:08


My guest today is Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is a lawyer and writer based in Denmark. He's the founder of Justitia, a think tank focused on human rights and freedom of speech. Jacob is also the producer and narrator of the excellent podcast called Clear and Present Danger. Jacob and I discuss his brilliant new book: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. We talk about the Danish cartoon controversy and Charlie Hebdo. We also discuss the so-called "Milton's curse"; which is the habit of hypocritically defending free speech for some, but not for others. I think this point is relevant to some of the bans that we've been seeing on Russian state news. We talk about the notion of power relations and its relationship to free speech, the relationship between censorship and human nature, and the importance of having a culture of free speech in addition to having laws that nominally protect it. We also talk about the origins of what Jacob calls "egalitarian free speech" in ancient Athens, the First Amendment and its evolving interpretation over time, and the alleged exceptions to protected speech such as hate speech or shouting fire in a crowded theatre. We go on to discuss whether censorship actually works, big tech companies and their role in censoring speech, similarities between the rise of the printing press and the rise of the Internet, cancel culture, the threat to free speech posed by China and the CCP, and much more. This was one of my favorite conversations that I've had so far this year, and I hope you enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conversations With Coleman
The History of Free Speech with Jacob Mchangama (S3 Ep.11)

Conversations With Coleman

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2022 80:08


My guest today is Jacob Mchangama. Jacob is a lawyer and writer based in Denmark. He's the founder of Justitia, a think tank focused on human rights and freedom of speech. Jacob is also the producer and narrator of the excellent podcast called Clear and Present Danger.Jacob and I discuss his brilliant new book: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. We talk about the Danish cartoon controversy and Charlie Hebdo. We also discuss the so-called "Milton's curse"; which is the habit of hypocritically defending free speech for some, but not for others. I think this point is relevant to some of the bans that we've been seeing on Russian state news.We talk about the notion of power relations and its relationship to free speech, the relationship between censorship and human nature, and the importance of having a culture of free speech in addition to having laws that nominally protect it. We also talk about the origins of what Jacob calls "egalitarian free speech" in ancient Athens, the First Amendment and its evolving interpretation over time, and the alleged exceptions to protected speech such as hate speech or shouting fire in a crowded theatre. We go on to discuss whether censorship actually works, big tech companies and their role in censoring speech, similarities between the rise of the printing press and the rise of the Internet, cancel culture, the threat to free speech posed by China and the CCP, and much more.This was one of my favorite conversations that I've had so far this year, and I hope you enjoy it.

New Books Network
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

New Books in History
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in History

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

New Books in Literary Studies
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Literary Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

New Books in Intellectual History
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Intellectual History

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

New Books in Communications
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Communications

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

New Books in Politics
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Politics

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society

New Books in Law
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Law

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law

New Books in Journalism
Jacob Mchangama, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media" (Basic Books, 2022)

New Books in Journalism

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 36:47


Jacob Mchangama, founder and director of the think tank Justitia, has written a one-volume history of freedom of thought, which ranges from the lone Demosthenes of 4th-century BCE Athens to the recent controversies regarding Donald Trump. In Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Basic Books, 2022), Mchangama argues that the history of freedom of thought has recurrent themes, such as a free speech entropy: the perception of rulers or governments that if speech is not restricted then social or political decline or disorder is inevitable. Mchangama also notes how restrictions usually have the unintended effect of emboldening the speakers and making the forbidden speech even more attractive to potential listeners. This history also reveals advocates of free speech less familiar to Western readers, such as the ninth-century Persian scholar Ibn al-Rawandi, a theologian and later skeptic whose life illustrates the debates possible in medieval Islam. Mchangama reviews the modern debates regarding freedom of thought and the latest iterations of arguments about whether free speech will lead to social decline and chaos. Mchangama is a champion of free speech but his history provides a fair minded account of the concerns of speech restrictionists throughout history. Ian J. Drake is Associate Professor of Jurisprudence, Montclair State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/journalism

Samfundstanker
Jacob Mchangama – Hvordan forsvarer vi ytringsfriheden?

Samfundstanker

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 57:38


De seneste år er ytringsfriheden kommet under pres. Senest har EU valgt at censurere russiske medier i Europa med den begrundelse, at europæerne ikke skal lade sig påvirke af den russiske propaganda. Men bygger det åbne demokrati ikke på antagelsen om, at den enkelte borger selv er i stand til at skelne mellem propaganda og lødig information? Og hvordan håndterer vi ytringsfrihed på sociale medier? Forfatter, podcaster og direktør i tænketanken Justitia Jacob Mchangama giver sit bud, når han gæster studiet.  Kontakt til podcastvært Martin Ågerup: martin@cepos.dk  Optaget d. 30. marts 2022.     Referencer:   Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media - Jacob Mchangama 

Uncertain Things
The Free Speech Recession (w/ Jacob Mchangama)

Uncertain Things

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 89:08


Jacob Mchangama — author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, lawyer, and founder and director of the Copenhagen-based think tank Justitia — has uncovered an unfortunate, though not too surprising, historical pattern, across cultures and societies: the second we feel under threat in a society, free speech (that supposedly sacrosanct value) goes swiftly by the wayside. In this conversation, Jacob takes us back in time and traces the history of free speech all the way from Ancient Greece to the EU’s recent banning of Russian propaganda — and we unpack a whole lot of hypocrisy along the way. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, and Stitcher. Check out our Patreon for behind-the-pod updates. Follow @UncertainPod on your social media of choice.On the agenda:-Adaam’s big mistake [0:00-7:44]-Self-censorship and its consequences [7:45-14:51]-The pro-democracy podcast coalition [14:52-20:15]-On cartoons and Milton’s curse [20:16-25:13]-Free speech through the ages: Greece & Rome [25:14-37:51]-Free speech through the ages: the Middle Ages [37:52-44:18]-Free speech through the ages: from Reformation to Revolution (stopping on Spinoza along the way) [44:19-55:47]-American culture vs. American law [55:48-1:09:21]-A golden age or a free speech recession? [1:09:22-1:13:26]-Banning Russian propaganda [1:13:27-1:22:22]-Liberal democracy: why does it matter? [1:22:23-1:29:30]Uncertain Things is hosted and produced by Adaam James Levin-Areddy and Vanessa M. Quirk. For more doomsday rumination, subscribe to: uncertain.substack.com. Get full access to Uncertain Things at uncertain.substack.com/subscribe

Quillette Podcast
Jacob Mchangama on His New Book, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media"

Quillette Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 35:51


Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Copenhagen-based think-tank scholar and podcaster Jacob Mchangama about why so many human societies have a difficult time tolerating dissent and heresy

Quillette Podcast
Jacob Mchangama on His New Book, "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media"

Quillette Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 35:51


Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Copenhagen-based think-tank scholar and podcaster Jacob Mchangama about why so many human societies have a difficult time tolerating dissent and heresy

Free Speech Nation with Andrew Doyle: The Podcast
Series 2, Episode 4: Jacob Mchangama | Free Speech, Hate Speech & Historical Myths

Free Speech Nation with Andrew Doyle: The Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 23:41


On the latest episode of Free Speech Nation: The Podcast, Andrew Doyle is joined by Danish lawyer and human rights advocate, Jacob Mchangama.Jacob, who is the author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, discusses historical myths about free speech in Weimar Germany, as well as big tech censorship and the ineffectiveness of hate speech laws. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast
The History of Free Speech from Socrates to Social Media

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 73:51


Hailed as the “first freedom,” free speech is one of the bedrocks of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of fear and upheaval. Today, both in democracies and in authoritarian states around the world, it appears to be on the retreat. Jacob Mchangama traces the fascinating legal, political and cultural history of this idea by telling stories of free speech's many defenders—from the ancient Athenian orator Demosthenes and the ninth-century freethinker al-Rāzī, to the anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and modern-day digital activists. Mchangama describes how the free exchange of ideas underlies all intellectual achievement and has enabled the advancement of both freedom and equality worldwide. Yet the desire to restrict speech is also a constant, and he explores how even its champions can sometimes be led down an authoritarian, restrictive path when the rise of new and contrarian voices challenge power and privilege of all stripes. Mchangama's Free Speech demonstrates how much we have gained from this principle—and how much we stand to lose without it. NOTES MLF: Humanities SPEAKERS Jacob Mchangama Founder and Executive Director, Justitia (Danish think tank); Host, "Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech" Podcast; Author, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media In Conversation with George Hammond Author, Conversations With Socrates In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 16th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast
The History of Free Speech from Socrates to Social Media

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 73:51


Hailed as the “first freedom,” free speech is one of the bedrocks of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of fear and upheaval. Today, both in democracies and in authoritarian states around the world, it appears to be on the retreat. Jacob Mchangama traces the fascinating legal, political and cultural history of this idea by telling stories of free speech's many defenders—from the ancient Athenian orator Demosthenes and the ninth-century freethinker al-Rāzī, to the anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and modern-day digital activists. Mchangama describes how the free exchange of ideas underlies all intellectual achievement and has enabled the advancement of both freedom and equality worldwide. Yet the desire to restrict speech is also a constant, and he explores how even its champions can sometimes be led down an authoritarian, restrictive path when the rise of new and contrarian voices challenge power and privilege of all stripes. Mchangama's Free Speech demonstrates how much we have gained from this principle—and how much we stand to lose without it. NOTES MLF: Humanities SPEAKERS Jacob Mchangama Founder and Executive Director, Justitia (Danish think tank); Host, "Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech" Podcast; Author, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media In Conversation with George Hammond Author, Conversations With Socrates In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on February 16th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cato Event Podcast
Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media

Cato Event Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 86:38


See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Around the County with Supervisor Jim Desmond
A Conversation with Jacob Mchangama

Around the County with Supervisor Jim Desmond

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 27:57


Jacob is the founder and CEO of Justitia, a Danish think tank focused on human rights. He has a new book titled, “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media." We spoke about free speech, misinformation, and what we can do to make progress! 

Banished by Booksmart Studios
Does Free Speech Discriminate?

Banished by Booksmart Studios

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 32:18


Over the past five years or so, free speech — like so many other topics — has been weaponized for use in the culture wars. Far right media sources have embraced the free speech mantle, arguing that liberals and progressives who dominate higher education are silencing conservative voices. For many Republicans, “free speech” means having the right to express an opinion, regardless of how unfounded and unsubstantiated it may be. As a consequence, many on the left now incorrectly view free speech as a right-wing ideal.In this episode of Banished, Amna Khalid discusses the history and legacy of free speech with Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer, human-rights advocate and author of Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, newly published by Basic Books. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit banished.substack.com/subscribe

Techdirt
A Global History Of Free Speech

Techdirt

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 55:06


We talk a lot about free speech in different countries, and about the history of free speech in the US — but what about the global history of this fundamental concept? A new book released today, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media by Jacob Mchangama, tackles exactly this subject in great and insightful detail. This week, Jacob joins us on the podcast to discuss the sweeping story of free speech throughout the ages and around the world.

Science Salon
247. Jacob Mchangama on Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media

Science Salon

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 109:19


Hailed as the “first freedom,” free speech is the bedrock of democracy, and it is subject to erosion in times of upheaval. Today, in democracies and authoritarian states around the world, it is on the retreat. In this episode, based on the book Free Speech, Michael Shermer and Jacob Mchangama discuss the riveting legal, political, and cultural history of the principle, how much we have gained from it, and how much we stand to lose without it. Mchangama reveals how the free exchange of ideas underlies all intellectual achievement and has enabled the advancement of both freedom and equality worldwide. Yet the desire to restrict speech, too, is a constant.

The Fifth Column - Analysis, Commentary, Sedition
344 w/Jacob Mchangama "Speech, Sheep, and a Crying Room"

The Fifth Column - Analysis, Commentary, Sedition

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 112:21


Our favorite Danish intellectual returns! After a three-plus year absence, Jacob Mchangama is back on the Fifth, this time promoting his amazing new book, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media, which P.J. O'Rourke calls "best history of free speech ever written and the best defense of free speech ever made." We tend to agree. The lads make quick work of a bottle of sake and still manage to blather about...The state of free speech in EuropeJoe Rogan and the crisis of speechMany of history's heroes of free speech were kind of shitty on free speechIt always comes back to NazisThe Weimar fallacyHanged for speech. Really, really bad speechThe sheep theoryJacob brings up Nazis again Tell the moon about the crying roomThe most powerful engine for social changeFree speech is a powerful engine *against* racismTwo islamists realize they were wrong about free speech See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast
Ep. 153 Elitist vs. egalitarian free speech (live recording, Q&A)

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2022 68:05


On today's episode, we feature a live recording of “So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast” with Jacob Mchangama, author of “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media,” in conversation with FIRE's Greg Lukianoff, Sarah McLaughlin, host Nico Perrino, and NYU professor Stephen D. Solomon. The panelists discuss how lessons from free speech movements throughout world history can help explain today's divisions over the value of free speech, and how conflicts between egalitarian and elitist schools of free speech thought are still with us in the digital age. This recording was a co-sponsored event with First Amendment Watch at New York University. www.sotospeakpodcast.com Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/freespeechtalk Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sotospeakpodcast Email us: sotospeak@thefire.org

Two for Tea with Iona Italia and Helen Pluckrose

General Jacob's website: http://jacobmchangama.com/ Order Jacob's forthcoming book, ‘Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media': https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/jacob-mchangama/free-speech/9781541620339/ Jacob's podcast series on free speech, ‘Clear and Present Danger': http://www.freespeechhistory.com/ Follow Jacob on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMchangama Discover more about Jacob's think tank, Justitia: http://justitia-int.org/ Timestamps 00:56 Iona introduces Jacob and his forthcoming book ‘Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media'. 2:28 Iona reads some passages from Jacob's book on the Nazis vs. free speech, including how Hitler hoisted the Weimar Republic by its own petard (or, why intolerance of intolerance doesn't work). 17:21 Does censorship of bigoted and authoritarian ideas work to prevent such ideas from taking hold? The “Weimar fallacy.” 23:18 Free speech as the guarantor of freedom: Trump's America compared to Putin's Russia and Modi's India. 31:44 The counterintuitive idea of free speech and its fragility in practice. “Milton's Curse”—selectivity about free speech, even among its greatest historical champions, from Milton to Voltaire. The need for a strong culture of free speech (without which legal protections are almost meaningless). 36:30 Iona's “footnote” on Milton, whose ‘Areopagitica', of course, is the namesake of ‘Areo'. Why, despite Milton being an imperfect champion of free speech, ‘Areo' is appropriately named! Plus: the history of free speech in Britain, the two ancient and competing conceptions of free speech (elitist and egalitarian), and Milton's more radical-on-free-speech (and oft-neglected) Leveller contemporaries. The tragic irony of Milton becoming a censor. How Milton's authorial intentions have been undercut by the radical implications of his arguments and the power of his language. 47:21 The historically influential antiquity-rooted elitist vs. egalitarian concepts of free speech (or, the Roman vs. Athenian concepts of free speech) and “elite panic” whenever a new form of disruptive and democratising communications technology, from the printing press and the radio to the internet and social media, arises. 54:50 On elite distrust of the lower classes—we can't trust them with new communications technologies or free speech! 1:00:18 Is the contemporary “golden age of free speech” in a process of decline? Are we seeing a “global free speech recession” alongside a “democracy recession”? Rising authoritarianism and the worrying loss of faith in free speech (and internet freedom) in liberal democracies. Many on both right and left now seem to prefer purging ideas to debating them. 1:03:52 What can be done about the free speech recession? Taiwan's tech-based g0v initiative—combatting disinformation and promoting new forms of democracy for the digital age without censorship. The tensions between the “Analogue City” and the “Digital City” and how we must find solutions for these without sacrificing free speech. Plus: how the lack of free speech in China made the Covid pandemic worse. 1:10:01 The worrying power of private social media and other internet companies over what we can say and hear. John Stuart Mill, George Grote, and the tyranny of the majority: the need for a culture of tolerance and openness to dissenting views. The problems with centralised platforms that are pretty much monopolies and the need for technological rather than legal solutions to these. The need for a “more decentralised social media ecosystem.” 1:16:30 Last words.