Michael Shellenberger Discusses the Mind of the Censor

Michael Shellenberger discusses the mind of the censor with Glenn Loury:

I have come to the conclusion that not only is there something wrong legally and morally with people who want to censor their fellow citizens, there’s also something wrong psychologically. Where the desire to discuss and debate is healthy, the desire to censor and silence betrays a kind of mental or even spiritual sickness.

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I’m sorry to be so blunt, but the moment requires it: if you want to censor people you hate, there’s something wrong with you. You are suffering from a toxic mixture of entitlement, arrogance, and insecurity. Go on a long walk. Talk to an elder. Seek help.

We live in a free society. Get used to it. Talk back to the voice in your head telling you that you have the right to shut people up. If you’re too insecure to engage in free and open debate, then you have no right to demand censorship.

Consider also these excerpts from Robert Corn-Revere’s book: The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder.

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Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth is an attorney focusing on civil rights (including First Amendment), consumer law litigation and appellate practice. At this website often writes about censorship, corporate news media corruption and cognitive science. He is also a working musician, artist and a writer, having founded Dangerous Intersection in 2006. Erich lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his two daughters.

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