Andrew Doyle: Free Speech and Why It Matters

Ralston College presents a lecture with Andrew Doyle followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with Stephen Blackwood. Doyle discusses his new book, ‘Free Speech and Why it Matters,’ and offers trenchant examples of recent curtailment of the freedom of speech and thought. He provides a lively account of why free speech and free expression are vital for a thriving culture and describes the kinds of degradation that result when a wide array of ideas are not examined in the public square.
The event took place online on March 4, 2021.
Links of possible interest
Andrew Doyle’s recent book ‘Free Speech and Why It Matters’
www.amazon.com/Free-Speech-Ma...
Titania McGrath on Twitter
/ titaniamcgrath
Andrew Doyle at ‘Spiked’
www.spiked-online.com/author/...
Ralston College
www.ralston.ac
Ralston College Short Courses
www.ralston.ac/humanities-sho...
Stephen Blackwood
www.stephenjblackwood.com
Timeline
0:00 Introduction
3:24 - Andrew Doyle on free speech
44:45 - Conversation with Stephen Blackwood
1:16:30 - Q and A session
#RalstonCollege

[@RalstonCollegeSavannah]

Applications for Ralston College's MA in the Humanities for 2023 are now open: www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma

[@rosariacrawford6606]

As an older lady, it does my heart good to see that there are so many young, smart, articulate young people that recognize the importance of truth and the evil of woke culture. Speak the truth people, don't let them intimidate you, don't take the easy way out. God bless everyone who's willing to speak out!

[@hayleykiernan6235]

It makes my heart sing to read your voice of reason but still I'm hearing your wisdom and truth God Bless You ❤

[@davidanderson9664]

For a non lawyer Doyle makes a very convincing and articulate legal case. Better than I could and I AM a lawyer! D.A., J.D., NYC

[@robroy6072]

Absolutely. That book shelf is a clue, classic old school editions, not just for show. The real stuff.

[@SJM6791]

I couldn’t agree with you more.

[@kyleferguson5175]

Due to history. For example Scots law abortion was never illegal, for it to be illegal victim would need to be the foetus. That would mean not only producing the foetus but linking it to the woman. Yep we now have DNA but if the victim is the foetus, would have to investigate all foetal deaths, would have to carry out full investigations into all aborted remains found in same way we do for murder. Even if all other crimes were not investigated costs would be astronomical. Otherwise if women is the victim the only crime can be medical malpractice, i.e. back street abortions without proper medical facilities which was illegal under Scots law. Point being Ben Shapiro may wish abortion to be illegal but he is also unwilling to actually fund sanctity of life in any real legal sense. Instead he is focused on ending medically safe abortion in which the victim is women. You do not need to believe in sanctity of life or that abortion is a human right to reach that conclusion. Abortion is only contentious when moralized by either side of that argument.

[@jan8600]

@@kyleferguson5175 vvvvvvvvvvvv

[@proudatheist2042]

It looks like being a BAMF is a better bet to be able to put illogical woke ideologies to sleep!

[@frankaczmarek3042]

Lately, I am so thirsty for common sense statements that this discussion was like a fountain of life. I was listening with delight over and over. It is almost like it was restoring my own sanity which I was starting to question. Thank you Mr. Andrew Doyle for having the integrity and courage to stand up to nonsense.

[@DrQuip]

I always come away feeling I’m an improved human being for having listened to these conversations. Thank YOU

[@paulamitchell880]

Simply asking for an apology after losing a job, money, etc due to maliciousness from the media is simply not enough. They should be sued into oblivion. Only then will the reigning in happen.

[@soniavadnjal7553]

Ralston College deserves more subs. Great conversations.

[@louisehaley5105]

Probably one of the best interviews on Cancel Culture I’ve ever seen ! Like Douglas Murray and Sam Harris, Andrew Doyle explains this issue with such clarity and common sense, that I have difficulty seeing how can anyone misconstrue his remarks.

[@michawill6599]

He's better than those in my view

[@michaelsteven1090]

…not Sam Harris, please..

[@douglasfreeman3229]

@@michaelsteven1090 I suspect you may be one of those who is misconstruing Harris. He is constantly being misunderstood, particularly his thoughts on lying.

[@douglasfreeman3229]

@@michawill6599 Douglas Murray seems a bit slow to me.

[@shughy1]

Andrew is a national treasure with his comedy genius that makes politics so much more palatable

[@jonathanhamer950]

One of our duties as awake citizens of liberal democracy is to fend off the influence of extremism whether on the far right or left. A major characteristic of radical ideologues is the failure to engage honestly and rigorously with opposing views. Therefore it is no wonder that as the 'radical left' increasingly gains ground in many areas of life that we are seeing this trend towards shutting down our freedom of speech.

[@AnAlgernon]

I had to adjust my self-conception when the author chided himself for forgetting the name of the regicided king in Hamlet. Brilliant discussion gentlemen.

[@GrumpyScamp]

I could listen to Andrew Doyle all day long! I ordered all his books too!

[@jankelly4933]

Brilliant! Well said, Andrew Doyle. I can just send this to people as you are far better at explaining than I am. Thankyou.

[@zeusem6158]

Just what I needed. Thank you

[@culturewar]

Andrew is always brilliant and considered. However i am in two minds about the softly softly approach to ignorant people who are using their power to shut down debates against their undemocratic ideologies. Most balanced people i meet just don't seem to see how quickly we are sliding into a very bad place. Personally i think they need shaking out of their slumber.

[@lafleurproductions]

This topic gets more relevant every day. The problem is now very urgent. Thank you for making and sharing this video.

[@43nostromo]

"Don't Suspect A Friend, Report Him!"

[@SJM6791]

I just ordered Andrew’s book. I can’t wait to start reading it!!

[@motheringabomination1958]

Such a great discussion. Let's hope the madness ends soon. Thank you!

[@robroy6072]

It will take a generation, if we are lucky

[@catsaresocute650]

It will most definetly not

[@catsaresocute650]

Sadly

[@Hajde_budalla]

You have to fight it, vigorously. Not just wait fir it to end.

[@ferdinandbardamu3945]

A British man just got 5 years in prison for owning 3 books (you can still buy on Amazon) and having the wrong political views.

[@juliekemp419]

Superb conversation: thank you Andrew and Stephen.

[@orzellezro]

A tag team of Andrew Doyle and Jordan Peterson in debate with proponents of woke culture would make an interesting programme.

[@flomccanuck8095]

Jordan interviews Andrew in this podcast, It was my intro to Andrew Doyle - just terrific. 'Free Speech and the Satirical Activist | Andrew Doyle | The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast - S4: E32':)

[@UREMODEL]

Thoroughly impessed! an amazing grasp of reality. I really hope to see more.

[@someone6162]

Thank you Mr Doyle for your work on defending free speech!!

[@theglanconer6463]

Beautiful and must needed discussion. Thank you !

[@LauraKamienski]

The experiences of having your whole worldview Shattered by new information is painful, but it is also exhilarating. I've had this happen in huge ways two different times and both times were such beginnings of growth.

[@jameslascaliajr.2181]

Nice perspective and take on it...also thanks for the info on Scottish Law and politics.

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

“… someone does not have as full of an understanding of some thing as they might, and perhaps it’s causing them pain or trouble or difficulty because they are in that sense maladapted to the complexities of reality through their only partial understanding.” I resemble that statement.

[@SusanneCape]

A question: why do we keep voting in people who seek to threaten our free speech rights and then complain about it without doing much else?

[@mariasinfiltros1478]

very interesting conversation, strong arguments

[@user-we2qv1cx6x]

It’s so sad, especially since Covid, it has become apparent to me that many have lost their utter minds! As a classics student I am constantly reading about the past and then I look around me and feel as if I am on a different planet. It’s so odd….things look similar but so much feels “off.” Living in coastal California, I am close to the epicenter of all this madness. I hope to find work elsewhere, so I can flee to a place that is closer to my heart, my soul…California is so beautiful and has always had such potential. But much of it has been diluted and ruined. It’s a shell of its former self. A nice facade perhaps, but underneath…darkness like death, utter insanity. Thank you Ralston for standing for merit and reason and giving me hope that not everyone has lost their mind

[@LauraKamienski]

Think Andrew Doyle should start a KZbin series or a series of articles on critical thinking. Those would be invaluable to have in a collection of shareable post or videos.

[@kittenclawsguitarvideos6147]

One reason why people prefer to work at home,is that people are not comfortable around eachother. Everyone is a bit on edge. It has affected interactions.

[@TheKategolden]

excellent talk given by Mr. Doyle

[@mrdiavel4807]

The tragedy of this conversation is that it is of the same ilk as those that intellectuals held in early 1930’s Germany and we know what happened to them and ensued thereafter . To those that advocate cancel culture albeit you may not recognize it as such , “caveat Emptor”

[@lazylaurablue]

One of the brightest minds of his generation. Why am I not surprised he quotes Peterson? He and Douglas Murray should do a book together, they have much common if they were able to work together. I fear their personalities might clash. I adore them both though!

[@chelseapoet3664]

In Stephen Blackwood's Wikipedia entry it is stated under the section on Ralston College: "Among the members of its Board of Visitors is.... Roger Scruton". That's quite some metaphysical ability Sir Roger is demonstrating!

[@gerhard7323]

Often attributed to Voltaire but the famous quote, 'I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It' should be as true today as it's always been in any country which considers itself to be a functioning democracy.

[@cangeljan12]

Thank you for this very informative stream I will be ordering Andrews book today...I'm all for Free speech , it's criminal what's happing today & It's getting very bad over here in Ireland , I will keep marching on for our rights till we are HEARD ?? Peace to all

[@BluegrassGal101]

i used to get excited when i saw that a book i had truly enjoyed had been turned into a movie. Then i watched Master & Commander - The Far Side of the World, The Good German, and Motherless Brooklyn. My enthusiasms have been curbed.

[@RaveyDavey]

Master and Commander was a great film.

[@yendayo]

"I need to check your thinking" reminds me of Alan Turing, except that the situation is reversed.

[@stacypastry2440]

Recruiting through the medium of pug dogs 🤣

[@S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor]

Carry on!

[@joegilligan4895]

Thanks Andrew for pointing out the utter evil which is coming down south to England and Wales. And Northern Ireland. Keep the Faith Andrew.

[@orlamcmanus9019]

Great interviewer, great discussion

[@lenwilkinson672]

Thank you Andrew a great talk.we need a government with a lot of men of your ilk.

[@lowandodor1150]

I adore this man beyond what i am capable of expressing in words. I really don't think it is overstated, to place him among the most important voices of our time. Is it? Now picture the situation of him with a few "friends", discussing certain topics and after a short while, one of his "friends" calls him a nazi, because he said something that person did not understand or just had a different opinion....you really have to be somewhat dim, to call this man, a FRIEND of yours, a nazi! Unbelievable just how blinded and stuck some/a lot of people are.....

[@tom5216]

Whenever someone decrees that you cannot say something it is likely because your argument is better than theirs.

[@Hands2HealNow]

Censuring the free speech of real scientists on the issues of Ivernectin prophylaxis or dangers and denile of the facts that "Experimental Genetic Devises" would NOT have any promotion if Ivermectin was promoted and thus patent profits would not be a factor.

[@jimpickard3850]

Very impressive man is Mr Doyle.

[@TXYeskaDAR]

We need to teach virtues again. Woke is really about Vice behavior

[@LauraKamienski]

I was an academic philosopher part and full-time for about two decades. As an undergraduate our philosophy Club used to make a button every year one year it just said why? The year I was able to submit what the button would be, I made it prove me wrong! Please!

[@treesart6914]

I agree with Andrew Doyle. I just want to point out something tangential: you can say the most misogynistic crap to women and it would not be a hate crime. This shows where the priorities lie.

[@franklinnash]

49:28 What's a 'crabs in a bucket' situation?

[@tolpacourt]

Doyle is not a supporter of Trump. Trump is a supporter of Doyle.

[@tolpacourt]

And Trump is right to support Doyle.

[@SusanneCape]

And who cares. Not everything derogative that was put out by the media about Trump was true. How we have sunk to a new low. The irony is that free speech is now a right wing attribute. Just bizarre!

[@louisehaley5105]

1:40 - when it comes to the Arts, as long as it doesn’t involve ACTUAL cruelty inflicted on a real human (or nonhuman), we shouldn’t have an issue . The only exception being, if what is depicted could incite violence against others. But that too should be up for debate.

[@TonyLing]

Give that man an honoury professorship

[@plekkchand]

Some of the strategies remind me of the sibling "telling" his or her parents rather than engaging. The government as parent.

[@denisHolySpirit]

The title should be 'Free Speech and why it mattered.'

[@thegreatinterpreter8382]

I'm racking my brain trying to think of a time when the Right moved to censor Leftist speech. I mean, I suppose they did have a stick up their ass about 'decency standards' for a long time. Elvis had to be shot from the shoulders-up to hid is swinging hips; the Doors couldnt say "Girl we couldnt get much higher..." on national television; Larry Flint's magazine was considered too graphic for commercial distribution; and Rap albums with explicit lyrics needed to come with parental advisory warnings. But all these things seemed to be an honest attack against what they thought was an over-exploitation of sex, drugs, and violence-- without some hidden, secondary agenda to sensor political speech. I mean, the Right was not calling all things Left-of-Center, 'violent talk;' or 'drug talk,' or 'sex talk..' only to have a convenient excuse to ban it. A Democrat who wanted higher taxes was not immediately accused of being a drug addicted, porn hustler who should be removed from public discourse. But that's exactly what the Left seems to be doing today. Take a stand against any policy supported by the Left, and it will be a matter of minutes before you're accused of being a racist who needs to be shut up and shut down.

[@alisteredmond2329]

The rot set in with blasphemy laws and also the"out lawing" holocaust denial etc.

[@catsaresocute650]

In a way it's it was less it wasn't something even I was upset about but I guess that it startes with the most disliked speach first

[@Schudulaba]

Interviewer looks like a David Baddiel/Louis Theroux hybrid.

[@stevemann6528]

It boggles the mind you've got people using their free speech to take away other people's free speech for future generations, including theirs. Leaving a Government you can't criticise without reprisals. 😒🙄

[@70galaxie]

where's the 1million like button??

[@xluyyjhfg]

Proponents and opponents want the same ends, but the proponents of free speech understand that you cannot shut hatred down by force. You need to let people "find the light" by letting them distinguish it from dark.

[@catsaresocute650]

1:12:00

[@catscan2022]

"People have given up on persuasion". Too true. And the explanation by the host that its because reality is what people want it to be then yes there's no need to persuade people because there is only one reality - the one they see and believe in. And anyone who says otherwise is wrong or evil. But to physically show people this is not the case ie the 2+2=4 case doesnt apply to these people either. People can be physically born a man but than transition to being a woman or vice versa thereby altering physical reality so of course they're going to be sceptical about what is or is not real. In their minds, their version of reality is more important than any notion of physical reality. Their truth is more important than THE truth. Enshrine that in law then everyone is forced to believe it too and reality is changed

[@louisehaley5105]

1:32 : The parallels with talking to people about Religion is really scary.

[@dramastudiocheshire7931]

A publisher will hire a "sensitivity reader?" The moral message is better than the art?

[@debramoore1428]

I question, sincerly, the mental health of these aggrieved parties and their enablers who codify the absurdity.

[@xluyyjhfg]

100%. They are rapt with religious zeal and the crusade they are after renders them insane.

[@JohnSmith-wd1oq]

Id argue Andrew is one of those enablers personally. His position is one of the far left in America like 10 years ago. It always starts with censoring hate speech.

[@margaretmaeda2548]

I have been living outside of the west for decades and I’m baffled at how there seems to be an obsession, at least in the UK and the US, with the Second World War which is quite recent. I don’t remember such an obsession when I was growing up in the UK in the fifties and sixties. I assume that many or most of the people who feel so offended by incidents like the one with the pug have no personal connection with the history - anyone with meaningful memories would have to be in their eighties. The only case where I could understand a strong reaction in people born after 1945 to Second World War symbolism is in descendants of victims of the holocaust. My parents were directly involved in the Second World War and one more distant relative spent the war in a concentration camp, but having been born a few years after the war, I don’t consider myself personally connected to that history, and it makes it hard for me to understand self-righteous reactions to Second World War symbols among people who are mostly much younger than me.

[@JordanEndTimeServantOfYah144]

I've had my Instagram deleted in 2018 for posting anti-communism stuff. It is SO troubling how 1984 ish / Brave New World we have gotten. It's actually terrifying.

[@JayJay-wg5ex]

I feel and am concerned that we are becoming so stupid as a society because we can't speak truthfully for fear of hurting someone etc.etc. it makes for a sad reality. Is there anywhere in the world where people tolerate difference by anymore???

[@peterpeterking1]

Being offensive is/isnt a crime? Make your mind up. I got a couple mins in, cant be arsed

[@douglasfreeman3229]

Goodness, Andrew suddenly looks about twenty years old in this video. How the funk does he do it?

[@missygoldstein12]

its truly staggering. There was a time when people who didn't agree would simply have a conversation, discussion or debate. Now the moment you disagree with anything I say I need to destroy you and I'm going to find a gang mob who will help me do it.

[@emmamilsomfranks1253]

Shouldn't there significantly less opinion and more questioning? What would Socrates say?

[@vatsmith8759]

The second greatest Englishman once said "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken".

[@lennymclean.]

I think this freedom of speech issue and the issue of platforms-turned-publishers curating content is what Elon Musk is aiming to combat by gaining more control of Twitter. This platform is highly curated and as such has a fairly egregious agenda...

[@catscan2022]

Re the point that people won't listen to you if you're opening line is an insult. I do To just dismiss people on that basis is i would say just another form of intolerance. I always give people the benefit of the doubt as I think they've obviously joined that particular discussion for a reason - they must have some interest in it so I always try and direct them to the topic under discussion. Sometimes it turns out they're just trolling but how are you gonna find out if you don't ask the right questions. In the middle of a discussion too some people add insults into the mix but the trick is not to take it personally and instead focus on the topic. This is why david starkey gets into hot water - because he is not super sensitive about the language he uses and comes across as rude (and worse) to some people who take his comments to heart. That doesn't mean he has no valid arguments to make. So the idea that we should ignore people who are rude or insulting is fairly woke itself. Theyre just words

[@ryanli5803]

Unfortunately, many people will just become defensive if you lead off with an insult. Even if each of us should strive to listen to people in spite of insults, there are many people who don't. Since he's looking to persuade as many people as he can, it would be more productive to stay cordial.

[@catscan2022]

@@ryanli5803 I've never heard Andrew doyle be anything but cordial. It wasn't him I was referring to but the people he speaks to. The use of insults when starting a conversation is, though, I think, more a feature of social media. It's very rare that people who talk to each other face to face in a debate start with an insult. What would be the point of a debate if all you're going to do is insult someone. I think this is more likely if the first person to speak says something that triggers the other. It needn't even be anything offensive but could be something that the listener is sensitive about

[@drwhatson]

Nor should a person be condemned as a "hateful person" on the basis of one tweet, however appalling it may seem. People get angry. They get drunk. They write stupid things on the spur of the moment. I try not to.

[@JohnSmith-wd1oq]

Guess what its not a crime to be hateful stop being so effete and cowardly free speech extends to people saying racist things as well whether they have a bad day or not.

[@loud6037]

But it IS a crime to be hateful in Britain on the basis of characteristics such as race. Not one that you would necessarily go to prison for, unless your hatred extends to harassment and or physical abuse. But it is a crime.

[@louisehaley5105]

1:07 - why does this movement want to break down barriers between the sexes whilst at the same time try to build them up between the races ? I always thought it was the other way round ?

[@johannespilvikukka6003]

Well this was a nice listen on my day of, untill the drink-shameing. As a person of drink I'm offended.

[@palashproduction4723]

Deconstruction is wery useful to deconstruct woke culture. Point of departure is important here. The Puritan tradition cannot cope with this. It is good to read Averroes, Dante or Thomas More before reading Derrida or Foucault.

[@70galaxie]

Dragnet 2022 Friday & Gannon deal with woke victims, ahahaha!

[@angelaleitch800]

But they say " we need to Check your thinking with terrorism" aren't you cherry picking!

[@angelaleitch800]

I've tagged the justice Secretary Humza in this! Utter lies

[@basscataz]

How many people have been watching this slowly approaching nightmare for decades? I wish that saying "told you so" to everyone who dismissed this bullshit as nothing to worry about would give me pleasure, but it wouldn't. And I won't. I'm disgusted by our leaders.

[@catsaresocute650]

I hope I will not find myself in your position

[@SJM6791]

I instinctively knew we were in trouble when Obama won the Presidency in 2008. He hasn’t proven me wrong!!

[@proudatheist2042]

I would love to hear how you have seen this all coming to fruition over the last few decades.

[@sheilarigby7579]

K no by

[@elaineclark667]

Saveourchildren Support Robert Sproul / Robbess ✊George square every Saturday 12 o’clock 👍 Common Law MAN 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️

[@mariussielcken]

Fining that nazi pug owner has actually made me love Jews!

[@rosemarybishop5776]

I can't watch any more of this, but a few observations as I'm trying to understand the situation. There has and always will be unreasonable people in any group. Some people have personality flaws, some aren't coping with life and some take things the wrong way or misinterpret information. When I was growing up I learnt about the holocaust, the lynching of negroes and the Crusades. In my own life showing one's nipples (inadvertently) was regarded with horror, I couldn't say that I was an atheist and any talk about abortion was disallowed. I couldn't get up in school and give a speech about masturbaton - why do I feel the need to add that I wouldn't have wanted to give such a speech anyway? Most of your examples are examples of the left going overboard - the right also is intolerant (especially Peterson who yells for a living). As a vegan who has suffered from being excluded ("we have no vegan meals and don't care"), challenged (when you say you are vegan obviously unhealthy people suddenly become experts in nutrition), tested on veganness ("are you wearing leather shoes?" - answer no), etc. At the same time I don't always agree with all vegans: I hate the term vegan substitutes and the ascendancy of vegan "meat". No, I don't want vegan "chicken". To my way of thinking the important things are: making the super rich pay taxes (especially Hollywood who do nothing vital), dealing with overpopulation and Alzheimers and ending the unsustainable levels of overconsumption and consumerism. If only the Nazis or Stalin had encountered "cancel culture". I know it wouldn't have changed anything, but it's enjoyable to think about . Best wishes.

[@ogreunderbridge5204]

Revelation; I call myself a racist. Mostly to piss off the flakes

[@weechid9784]

The women of the Alba party in Scotland are standing up against this. they are the only party in Scotland that are standing up for women's rights.

[@philiphudgens4726]

I believe there's a time & a place for a good insult when all other avenues have been explored. Optimistic discourse with indoctrinated & totalitarian faux liberals is simply a futile exercise.

[@mrdiavel4807]

Anytime a state mandates particular speech it always , always ends badly . And badly for everyone even those that promoted and created the edict of what speech was acceptable . To those that advocate controlled speech , you’re idiots , your standing there with a can of petrol burning your own house to the ground.

[@proudatheist2042]

Andrew Doyle aka Titania McGrath from Woke "I can be hung like a Shire stallion and still celebrate my feminity!"

[@christopherprim1973]

Shit, you could turn those hate crime laws right around against SJW's.

[@JohnSmith-wd1oq]

Or how about we ban hate crime laws its only ever applied against right wingers and people of European descent.

[@moodyonroody5313]

Free speech and hear the other side. Difficult subject.

[@ruhloflaw6709]

Neo-Nazis not into amateur theatrics? Aaaandeew, my poor boy.