​Free Speech: Is The Western World Walking On Eggshells?

If one lives in America and they are against Donald Trump, or if they live in the United Kingdom and they were against Brexit, it could be said that there would be no reason for them to keep their views to themselves. They could share their views with their friends and online, and there is a strong chance that they would receive a lot of positive feedback.
​
Courageous

Through doing this, and standing up for what they believe in, they could believe that they are being brave. After all, it they keep their views to themselves and to carry on with their life.

But while they could come to this conclusion, it doesn’t mean that what they are doing actually takes a lot of courage. What this comes down to is that so many people have the same views as they do.

The Safest Option

Ultimately, one is on board with what these people believe, and so this is going to be the easiest option. This is then going to be similar to someone who sees themselves as a rebel, even though they are following the crowd.

Yet, it would be an understatement to say that one only has the support of other people. In addition to their friends and family, and the people who will support their views on social media, they will have the mainstream media, universities, and Hollywood, for instance.

The Same Narrative

One is then going to have a hell of a lot of support behind them, which is why they have nothing to fear when they speak out. What they come out with is going to be no different to what these sources come out with.

One is then going to believe that they have their own mind, but this could be nothing more than an illusion. There is the chance that they are being controlled, and this is the perfect way to control someone.

A Real Risk

If, however, one lives in America and they support Donald Trump, or if they live in the United Kingdom and they voted for Brexit, they might prefer to keep their views to themselves. That is unless they are around people who have the same views as they do, or if they are around people who are open minded.

What one could find, if they were to share their views, is that a number of their friends will no longer talk to them. This could be a time when they will just go silent, or they could label then in some way.

Too Much Trouble

It is than not going to matter if they have done their research and they know what they are talking about, as it can be in their best interest to keep quiet. On one side, this will cause them to keep a lot of their views to themselves, and on the other, it will save them a lot of drama.

Part of them will have the desire to speak out, but another part of them is going to be only too aware of the consequences that may arise if they do. It is then not that one lacks courage; it is that they don’t want to destroy their life.

The Downside

The trouble is that when people are seen as being ‘good’ for having certain views and ‘bad’ for having other views, it puts an end to free speech. So instead of everyone being able to share their views and to grow though having their views challenged, some people will keep their views to themselves.

When it comes to the people who do share their views, what they say can relate to what is seen as being ‘acceptable’ or politically correct. So, as long as what one comes out with fits into one of these categories, they will be able to express themselves.

The Big Problem

When one says something that doesn’t fit into one of those categories, they could lose a number of friends and even end up being fired from their job. And if they say the wrong thing online, they could even have visit from the police.

But if this doesn’t happen, then it could mean that one will end up offending someone, and this is no laughing matter. In the past, this is not something that would have been taken very seriously.

High Alert

Nowadays, this is something that carries a lot of weight; if someone is offended by what one says, it could lead to a number of consequences. Consequently, one can feel the need to police their own thoughts, and to control what comes out of their mouth.

There is then going to be no reason for anyone to control them, as they will control themselves. Due to the amount of pressure that they will experience, it can to be a challenge for them to relax.

Walking On Egg Shells

Their priority is not going to be to think for themselves and to share their views; it will be to make sure that they don’t offend anyone. What their ancestors fought for is then being cast to one side so that certain people - those who can’t regulate their own emotions - don’t have to experience uncomfortable emotions.

If a mantel health professional was to share their views on this, they may say that we live in a borderline society. This is because when one is in a relationship with someone who has borderline personality disorder, they will feel like they are walking on egg shells.

Insanity

The difference is that in this case it doesn’t just relate to one person, it relates to society as a whole. But instead of doing something about this, as would be the case if an individual had BPD; the people with the problem are given special treatment.

It is then the same as someone with BPD going to see a therapist and being told that the people who they spend time with are the ones with the problem. There is then going to be no reason for them to change.

Conclusion

What this shows is how important people’s feelings have become; they are now what define whether something is right or wrong, or good or bad. If someone hears something and they end up feeling offended, there will be no reason for them to take responsibility for how they feel.

They have been infantilized, and it is then going to be normal for them to blame other people for how they feel; one is then an adult, but they are more akin to a child. The powers that be are likely to be only too happy with this; the last thing they want is for their fellow human beings to be mentally and emotionally strong.