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If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?

Last Updated: 20.06.2025 11:00

If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?

You have freedom of speech. If I loan you my computer, I can tell you not to use it for certain things, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.

And much, much more.

Insurrection

How much of lounge pianists playing is from repertoire, and how much is improvised?

Terroristic threats

Fraud

HIPAA violations

How do the Sola Scrptura folks react to the Dead Sea Scrolls and other more recent discoveries of ancient Biblical texts not among those canonized by Martin Luther?

False advertising

That’s what it is. You have no right to use other people’s stuff. If people let you use their stuff, they can tell you how you can use it, and they can tell you to stop using it any time they want.

No freedom is absolute.

If you could go back and rewrite the Legend of Korra, what would you change, and why?

Revenge porn

You have freedom to travel. If I loan you my car, I can tell you not to take it out of town, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.

Freedom of speech does not apply to:

Is it better for 2nd generation Western Muslims to marry someone from their parents' country or a western Muslim who was born and raised in the West?

Insider trading

Trade secrets

Perjury

Has your wife made you a cuckold?

Child pornography

Conspiracy

Threats of violence

What happened to your school bully?

Revealing classified information

If you’re wondering why free speech doesn’t apply to the internet, it’s because you have no right to use other people’s stuff for free.