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Seems like a wasted opportunity? Is @sullydish wanting public intellectuals to be able to have and voice opinions without having to face *any* consequences? Are there only *some* ideas that need such protection? 1/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/06/andrew-sullivan-is-there-still-room-for-debate.html
Where is this outrage when minority voices are the ones being squashed, either by omission or more actively? Why is it these ideas he speaks of cannot stand on their own, but need some type of special protection from "the mob"? 2/
Where is the outrage regarding the lack of representation from POCs in all spheres of public life, which has had a real impact on the ideas and solutions being discussed and considered in the first place. For decades? 3/
I do not deny or disagree with Andrew's right to have this opinion, or begrudge his ability to share it. I just do not understand the apparent insistence that in the court of public opinion, the opinions of existing voices need to be so protected as to 4/
guarantee their originators a platform at least as significant as the one they already have.
I find it hard to understand why the prominent voices that have prevailed for years are the ones that need to be protected in the public sphere. 5/
I find it hard to understand why the prominent voices that have prevailed for years are the ones that need to be protected in the public sphere. 5/
It seems to me a true believer in the marketplace of ideas would welcome new voices and relish the challenge of debating their ideas on their merit, instead of crying foul that they appear to resonate better with the public. 6/
What's most frustrating about this flawed argument is that I agree with the underlying concern. We do need more debate. We need more perspectives. We need more facts, logical thinking and thoughtful reasoning.
I don't see how this self serving argument gets us closer. 7/
I don't see how this self serving argument gets us closer. 7/
I do see how the new voices coming into the debate that had been drowned out before do get us closer. Do give us new perspectives. And should force us to reconsider some of our prior held beliefs. 8/
Reconsider them, recalibrate them, and either double down and stand behind them anew, or listen, learn and adjust.
Either way, take your existing significant audience with you along for the journey. I'm sure all can learn from that experience. 9/9
Either way, take your existing significant audience with you along for the journey. I'm sure all can learn from that experience. 9/9
