“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” ― George Orwell

submitted by sproketboy from (goodreads.com)

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[–]sudd3nclar1ty 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

lib•er•ty (lĭb′ər-tē) The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor; the condition of being free from oppressive restriction or control by a government or other power.

While it's kinda fun telling people what they don't want to hear sometimes, it is projection of control. I think Orwell is confusing free speech with liberty here.

Free speech is about freedom TO say what you believe. Liberty is about freedom FROM oppression. Trying to control others is the pinch.

Your points about yelling fire in the theater is a good example of limits to free speech. And listening to others is a lot easier if there is something interesting to learn as well.