Freedom and the Fool.

"The Wise Man Speaks because he has something to Say, the Fool Speaks to Say Something" - Aristotle. 

"I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it.” - Thomas Paine.

Freedom of speech is an inalienable right, without it we become abject serfs. This freedom, which is one of the most basic of human rights must be defended vigorously. One can support free expression and inquiry, yet the fact is that most people do not realize what a treasured prize this kind of liberty is.

   It was not till relatively recently that the “common” person on the street was awarded this prize. Much of the world does not allow total freedom of speech in modern times. This in my view demands that we protect free speech while we have it, whilst also trying to emancipate those who do not yet share in this ‘right of man’. One must take into consideration that while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, people are not entitled to their own facts. Does this mean we must pay lip service to the “fool” Aristotle talks of? One should draw a line in the sand and say that all voices matter, but each voice does not matter as much as the next…

Thanks, Brady.