Let’s unpack this for those who occasionally forget to plug in their critical thinking skills.
Free speech is a peculiar beast — especially in France, where debates on politics and philosophy are practically a national pastime, best enjoyed over a good meal with wine (obviously). On one hand, we have lies so dangerous they’re outright illegal — like shouting “fire” in a crowded bistro or selling snake oil remedies that could unravel public order. Even we French, self-proclaimed champions of free expression, draw the line here. Why? To keep the social fabric intact and protect basic safety.
On the other hand, we’ve got lies so absurd they only harm the credibility of the speaker. Flat Earth theories? Faked moon landings? My personal favourite comes from Candace Owens across the Atlantic: she claimed Brigitte Macron, France’s First Lady, was born male and transitioned in rural France during the ’80s or ‘90s — somewhere, presumably, between a cow field and a village boulangerie. (Spoiler alert: zero evidence, but kudos for the creativity.)
Here’s the thing: free speech doesn’t just protect the noble or the factual. It also safeguards the bizarre, the bonkers, and the “Did they really just say that?” moments. You’re free to declare the sky green, insist vaccines magnetize you, or claim Brigitte Macron is a time-traveling alien — free speech doesn’t require accuracy, only space to air ideas, no matter how unhinged. You’re never freer than when you’re wrong. Deep, I know. Sorry, I’m French. 😊
Enter the French Tweetstorm
A recent spat between Valérie Hayer (a French MEP) and Louis Sarkozy (son of Nicolas Sarkozy) brought this into focus. Hayer claimed French free speech laws forbid misinformation — not quite. French law targets hate speech and falsehoods that endanger public health or election integrity, but you’re still free to rant about flat Earth conspiracies or Brigitte Macron theories — provided you don’t veer into defamation.
And that Owens claim? A textbook example. It’s baseless, absurd, and likely defamatory. But it’s also a reminder of how free speech operates: allowing such statements doesn’t mean endorsing them. It means valuing a society where ideas — however absurd — are allowed to exist in the open. That’s not a weakness; it’s a strength.
https://x.com/napsarkozy/status/1879194013221445771
Voltaire’s Timeless Wisdom
Voltaire (yes, I’m going there) famously said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This isn’t about celebrating nonsense; it’s about preserving a society where freedom of expression is sacred. Free speech ensures we can debate, challenge, and — most importantly — think.
The real challenge? Cultivating critical thinking, fostering a culture of fact-checking, and embracing robust debates without defaulting to cancellation. Let the Candace Owenses of the world make their claims — we’ll fact-check, laugh, and move on.
Bluesky: The Boutique of Free Speech
Which brings us to today’s irony: self-proclaimed progressives fleeing Twitter for Bluesky, claiming to combat misinformation. Really? How does boycotting debate platforms help us ?
Bluesky feels more like an echo chamber — a boutique of curated, like-minded opinions. On Twitter, ideas were tested in the fire of public discourse, brilliant and bonkers alike. On Bluesky, that fire’s been replaced by a cozy bubble. Let’s call it what it is: not a fight against misinformation but an avoidance of uncomfortable dissent. Those who once thrived on cancel culture now retreat to a safe space where their views go unchallenged. Ah, the irony.
The Way Forward
What we need isn’t segregation but engagement. Free speech isn’t just the right to speak; it’s also the duty to listen, engage, and refine. The real battle against misinformation isn’t fought in sanitized bubbles; it’s won through debate, education, and enlightenment.
Let’s embrace the messiness of discourse. Because in defending the right to be wrong, we protect our most vital freedom: the right to think — for ourselves. And in today’s world, we need that more than ever.