But the masses are, in fact – amongst other things – a kind of herd that is subject to epidemics of unrest. That is exactly why we have Brexit and Turmp.
It’s like Tommy Lee Jones’s MIB character says, “a person is smart; people are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals”. Just because China’s reaction is completely wrong (and makes the problem worse), that doesn’t mean we should deny the reality they’re reacting to. We should be terrified of people functioning as a herd; nothing is more dangerous.
What vindicates Western freedom of speech isn’t that letting people form cults or incite hatred is harmless. It’s that by letting that tiger off its leash, you force reason and empathy and suchlike to win the argument on merit. Free speech is only a good if people are healthily afraid of its dark side.
