Dumb Ideas Welcome? Navigating Free Speech and Falsehoods in a Divided Democracy

Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

In this solo episode, host Corey Nathan takes a deep dive into one of the foundational guidelines we've used in curating conversations both in person and online: handling misinformation. Corey reflects on his experiences moderating political and religious discussions, the evolution of social media moderation, and the fine balance between protecting free speech and maintaining civil discourse. We invite listeners into an honest exploration of free expression, civic engagement, and fostering better conversations, even with those we deeply disagree with.

What We Discuss:

• Why it could be worth rethinking the rule to report and remove proven falsehoods from these forums.

• The importance of understanding the First Amendment and time, place, and manner restrictions on free speech.

• How maintaining civil discourse matters more than ever, even with the spread of misinformation.

• Reflections on the lessons learned from controversial public conversations, like Gavin Newsom’s podcast guests and protests on college campuses.

• How personal experiences during the pandemic and political unrest shaped Corey's approach to moderating tough conversations.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03:00] Corey’s initial set of rules for moderating conversations on social media.

• [00:08:00] Why platforms like Meta and Twitter are no longer actively flagging misinformation.

• [00:10:00] Revisiting the meaning of the First Amendment and its application to private forums.

• [00:18:00] Discussing time, place, and manner restrictions in the context of campus protests and public demonstrations.

• [00:23:00] Reflecting on the events of January 6th and the perpetuation of election fraud narratives.

• [00:36:00] Learning from Gavin Newsom’s engagement with controversial figures like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk.

• [00:43:00] Why civil engagement—even with those we strongly disagree with—might be more powerful than silencing falsehoods.

• [00:52:00] Corey’s updated stance: allowing proven falsehoods to remain visible for educational and relational purposes.

Featured Quotes:

"Congress shall make no law... but that doesn’t mean I, a private individual, can’t curate conversations in my own forums."

"When we disagree is when it’s most important to protect free speech."

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Let the worst ideas stand up to scrutiny."

"Staying in relationship with those we disagree with gives us a better chance to understand and grow."

Resources Mentioned:

• The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)

• Gavin Newsom’s Podcast

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Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡