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In reading the tweet to Anderson linked, I don’t see the quote. There’s “more upset than we foresaw”, there’s TED folk who “feel like their identity is being attacked “

Are these folks Genuinely Hurt? Kind of obviously, not physically hurt.

We should all absolutely question the reality of this pain caused by hearing an idea. It’s likely more a power play false claim used to gain power, and in the case of getting an asterisk on this talk, used successfully.

Free speech denies that this pain, if any, which is easily avoided by leaving or changing the channel, should interfere with publicity about the talk.

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Thanks for your reply. I don't think we quoted the "more upset than we foresaw” line but it's from here: https://twitter.com/TEDchris/status/1706792437098676224

I don't think the people expressing this hurt are lying about it. I agree they are trying to gain power, but also think there's nothing morally wrong with that -- we should all try to fight for the principles we believe it.

The crux of the issue for me is that whether something is hurtful or not shouldn't necessarily determine whether or not it should be said. There are other values and other people at stake.

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There are certainly other values, like free speech and especially truth, which have higher moral priority than psychological offense/pain. So we agree on the main thing.

If some insult causes pain, it’s partly the fault of the person insulted-Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones, But Words Can Never Hurt Me.

Free speech depends on this being true, which depends on kids being brought up to hear insults and choose not to be hurt.

If I punch you, and it hurts, I am causing pain, and would be causing pain to any. If I insult you, and it hurts you, you’re partly responsible for the pain.

We don’t have words & standards about this word insult pain.

Life is unfair. It is wrong to be hurt by that reality, instead of accepting it.

The truth, you are going to die, may be painful to hear or think about. But we need a society that condemns causing pain while insisting that one is mostly responsible to protect oneself from insults or other “painful” thoughts.

Tho not with getting drunk & driving. Because of probabilistic danger.

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I do think words can genuinely hurt. If you feel unwelcome in an educational institution because of prejudiced remarks, that's real and can affect your studies (and this is illegal for that reason.)

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