Rowan Atkinson on free speech.

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

This has been around for awhile.  It is worth watching because what he says is absolute truth.  He has spoken about the death of comedy, because of censorship, and the fear of offense over the most minor of issues.

One comment on “Rowan Atkinson on free speech.”

  1. In the various technical courses I have attended over the years, I have noticed that some younger attendees seemed to have an amazing sense of entitlement. One course, in particular had participants whom ranged from their teen years through into middle age. I was appalled by how some of the younger men refused to take responsibility for their actions, but would call to account others for imagined violations of what they perceived as their rights to never hear a negative word directed at them, even if they were clearly out of line. Among the adult attendees, we were unanimous in our disdain for this disruptive attitude.

    It even got to the point that older, more experienced students were called out for getting the best grades, as if this somehow harmed the others. (The grading was not based on a curve.)

    As I heard Atkinson’s words I was very struck by his mention of the notion that has taken hold that suddenly we should all be protected from insults. Really? That is ludicrous! Some of the best lessons I’ve ever learned in life came about when someone saw fit to say something that hurt my feelings, and things I took as insults at the time proved to actually work in my best interests.

    I hear many reports of ridiculous violations of free speech rights in the UK, these days. It’s a real shame to see them in such decline. I don’t believe that they will turn it around.

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