About this episode
“The right to throw a punch ends at the tip of someone’s nose.” It’s the idea that underlies American liberties — but does it still fit in 2021? We look back at our country’s radical — and radically inconsistent — tradition of free speech. Plus, a prophetic philosopher predicts America 75 years after Trump. 1. Andrew Marantz [ @andrewmarantz ], author of Anti-Social: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation — and our guest host for this hour — explains what he sees as the problem with free speech absolutism. Listen . 2. John Powell [ @profjohnapowell ], law professor at UC Berkeley, P.E. Moskowitz [ @_pem_pem ], author of The Case Against Free Speech: The First Amendment, Fascism, and the Future of Dissent , and Susan Benesch [ @SusanBenesch ], Director of the Dangerous Speech Project, on our complicated legal right to speak. Listen . 3. Andrew and Brooke discuss the philosopher Richard Rorty, whose work can teach us much about where the present approach to speech might take us, as a nation. Listen . Music from this week's show: Jeopardy: Think Music - Malcolm Hamilton Fallen Leaves - Marcos Ciscar Time is Late - Marcos Ciscar On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today ( https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm ). Follow our show on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.