I Write Fiction on Medium

Summary

T. Mark Mangum discusses the tension between free speech and the increasing trend of censorship, particularly in the context of mainstream media's handling of COVID-19 information and the Joe Rogan controversy.

Abstract

The author, T. Mark Mangum, reflects on the challenges of writing about current events due to the prevalence of fiction in media reporting, especially on COVID-19. He criticizes CNN for presenting government-aligned narratives, suggesting that their approach to reporting is akin to storytelling. Mangum highlights the paradox of a society that champions free speech yet increasingly engages in silencing opposing views through censorship, de-platforming, and boycotts. He argues that true free speech includes the right to offend and that the response to controversial speech should be intelligent discourse rather than suppression. Mangum emphasizes the importance of context in understanding speech, drawing a distinction between offensive use of language and its use within a cultural or artistic context. He concludes by advocating for personal accountability and education over censorship to prevent a descent into ignorant tribalism.

Opinions

Mangum is skeptical of CNN's Health Desk's review process for COVID-related stories, implying it's a form of narrative control rather than objective reporting.
He believes that the actions of mainstream media, celebrities, corporations, and the government in silencing speech are antithetical to the principle of free speech.
The author suggests that the desire to censor offensive speech is indicative of dictatorial, immature, and bullying behavior.
Mangum asserts that the true test of supporting free speech is in allowing and responding to speech that one finds offensive with better arguments, not censorship.
He points out that context is crucial when evaluating the use of sensitive language, differentiating between derogatory usage and cultural or artistic references.
The author posits that extreme personal freedom must be balanced with personal accountability and responsibility, opposing the idea that censorship is a solution to offensive speech.
Mangum implies that the philosophy of free speech in the United States is more theoretical than practical, given the current climate of silencing controversial speakers.

I Write Fiction on Medium

So I Resist Writing Articles on Current Events. I lost the battle today.

The other day I watch a person on CNN talk about how they have a Health Desk that all their COVID-related stories get reviewed by, and because of that, we can trust everything they report about COVID.

I laughed a little and since that is tantamount to Fiction I decided to laugh out loud here on Medium. Because CNN only spews the Government language on everything, not just COVID, you can rest assured that, you have listened to and watched a whole-lot-a-fiction on CNN.

In the hyper-sensitive world, we live in, it is not surprising that in the land of the “FREE”, we now see, mainstream media, celebrities, corporations, and even the government, silencing, censoring, de-platforming, boycotting books, and boycotting controversial speakers. These folks and entities and anyone who agrees with them are in fact calling for the dismantling of the notion of “Free Speech”.

“Free Speech,” is for the speech that offends you, not for the speech that you agree with and makes you feel all warm. Every controversial philosopher, proposing a change, has been the Author of speech that offends.

Context matters. Regardless of your own personal standard and view of the use of the “N-Word”, There is a drastic difference between Charlie Sheen calling his Ex-Wife an “F-in N-Word”, and Gwyneth Paltrow saying “N-word in Paris for real,” referring to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Paris performance of the popular son they sing, “N-Word in Paris.

Context matters in our response to aggressive, insightful speech and if we truly believe in the philosophy of free speech, then our response to controversial speech in any form from any person should be, better, calm, collected, intelligent, and compelling speech.

Silencing, censoring, de-platforming, boycotting books, boycotting controversial speakers, burning books, and the like actions are the actions of unintelligent, extremely privileged, weak-willed, and people who are feeling threatened.

It appears to me that in the United States of America, the philosophy of Free Speach is actually fictional.

If your immediate response, when you hear that someone said something that you find offensive is to want to silence the person. You are a dictatorial, immature, bully. Instead, try becoming educated, then write an article explaining why what was said is offensive, and make a case for viewing that speech as speech that intellectuals and caring members of society choose not to use. Leave it at that.

Yes, if you are intuitive, up on current events, and watch CNN the purveyor of constant coverage of things that have no impact on your life, you know this is about the fallout over Joe Rogan.

Extreme levels of personal freedom and liberty must be accompanied by extreme levels of personal accountability and responsibility. If we do not choose to educate around the term personal accountability and responsibility in favor of censorship and silencing, then we will decline into ignorant tribalism.

I am T.Mark Mangum. From an early age, I was hooked, addicted to the imagined, unfathomable worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Conan, the Lord of the Rings, and many others. I love writing fiction tales. I love writing in multiple genres. However, my favorites are Sci-fi and Fantasy fiction. I am a father of six; we have two cats and two dogs. Tabletop gaming is a passion.