Free Speech!

Last month or so, a particular gentleman made some not-at-all friendly remarks about homosexuals. The answer from the homosexual community was attempting to prosecute him both locally, and through a European Court. Now I don't know what this person said, or claimed, and I'm sure it was quite mean and liable to make people cross - but in my opinion he should have the right to say whatever he wants.

When I talk about free speech in this context, I mean the expression of opinions. I'm not attempting to talk about any other expressions. Threats aren't expression of opinions, neither is swearing. These are outside the context. But, back to the point.

Generally free speech has a limitation on it, namely it can't offend social norms and it can't attempt to remove other people's other human rights. I believe these are wrong for these 4 reasons:

I) Social Norms and likely to change. People who were 'censored' for saying something different one year, might be norm in the next. Around 2500 years ago, a particular person was poisoned for "Corrupting the Youth of Athens" by spreading his opinions. Around 1975 years ago, another particular person who was spreading teachings about loving each other was nailed to a cross for offending social norms. 375 years or so ago, someone made the audacious claim that the earth moved around the sun and almost got himself burnt at the stake.

What the above examples aim to illustrate is certain people who were killed for their beliefs turned out to be 'right' or have effected social norms to the point that they're celebrated. So why bother putting such a limitation?

II) If the spreading of the opinion is 'bad', then by extension you'd assume that holding the opinion would be 'bad' too. But should there be such control over people's opinions? Can't they be free to believe whatever they want? If I want to believe that people who's names start with Z are idiots, then what right does anyone have to intrude in my brain? 

III) We need different opinions to reinforce and adapt our own. Discussion is an important part of noting whether are opinions have holes in them, or whether they can stand up to cross-examination. If everyone needs to hold an opinion which is 'community friendly', then who's going to argue against it? Who's going to point out that we're doing something wrong?

IV) It can be used to oppress people. Been done years upon years. You leave a small clause, a fall-guy who gets punished for speaking out of line for something properly offensive, and bit by bit the rights get worn away. Yes its a slippery slope argument, but its happened time after time.

So in my opinion, all speech should be protected, no matter how offensive, different or weird it may be. People should have the right to believe anything they want, spread this opinion and have it cross-examined and modified.

LLAMA

Horrifying News Story

Malta, LNN - Antonia the ant succumbed to her injuries today after being gassed with InsectAway (R) while wandering around in a house. Antonia was found face up around a week ago in the home of Mr Joseph Borg, who claims to know nothing about this horrifying murder. "I was just gone to the shops, when I came back I found this brutal murder had taken place. I would never harm such an innocent creature. And anyway, why should I hurt it? It just an innocent cute little thing".

The Location where Antonia was found

Antonia was rescued by the Foundation for Understanding Special Statuses (FUSS), who immediately posted pictures of the horrifying incident on VisageTome. "This way people can have something to whine about if their lives aren't depressing enough, or they're tired of the divorce debate and aftermath". From then on, Antonia became a paragon of survival and a mascot for animal cruelty, in fact her body will be placed in a special room in the Museum of Caring, where an exhibition detailing her life and death will be presented by Mister N. Obody. 

Immediately after her death, crowds blocked the streets to the capital city, throwing rocks and chanting slogans. "What sort of society would allow this sort of thing?" said protestor Michael Ellis, "I don't care about the people dying of hunger, just make sure that innocent creatures like these are protected".

The "Lets Remember Antonia" fund has also reached a new high. Experts say that the money collected could give clean water to a number of 3rd world children, but instead it will be used to "Find that hooligan who did this, then we'll strap him down and gas him to death".

Readers are reminded that if they want to help out, these majestic creatures are always available for adoption, but it takes less effort to post links in Social Networking sites then it is to get one's hands dirty.

In related news, stocks for Insect Away (R) took a dive after a can....

A Question of Probability

A while ago I spotted my mother reading a newspaper. I spotted this very interesting advertisement on the front cover.

I would like to point out that we have a population of around 400 thousand, and its only June. That's quite a few mugs. Note that these are winners. What this cheerful advertisement fails to explain is how many people scratched a loss. Its obvious that this number must be larger than the winners, otherwise its not a profitable enterprise.

So lets talk a bit about gambling. Even at prima facia its obvious that its all a giant scam. For one, its run by a business - the business' goal is to make money. If it didn't create additional money, they wouldn't keep offering it. If you look at giant buildings called Casinos, some of which are incredibly large buildings with swimming pools and gold everywhere... its quite easy to see who's winning in this whole ordeal.

So what's the reason people keep falling for this very obvious scam. There are three reasons. I don't know the technical words for the first two, but I'm sure my psych party-member could furnish us with them.


Basically, regardless of probability, you'll always get the feeling that you're special. You're very special. In fact, if the chance of winning is 1 to 42C5, you're still going to beat the odds and win. It's kinda like magic.


The Second reason is the idea of investment. If you invest in something, there is a tendency for you to continue investing in it, even if there is a better option. You throw away a ton of money at a casino, and you want your win. You've invested too much in this already.


The third reason of course is the media. How many films include people winning a new life at a casino or something? 


So basically, somewhere along the line someone noticed that mugs love probability and are willing to give up money for a tiny chance to win much more money. And this tradition has continued on today, and the largest winners are those who offer the services.


The Llama