When it comes to free speech, everyone should have the right to speak. But they shouldn’t be immune to the consequences. And that’s the golden rule for true democratic free speech.

You may even lose your job if you say something wildly controversial. Which is why I’m not so fussed about bakers openly refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding. That vocal opposition could end their business, which is their own damn fault.

And to those who lout cancel culture, they despise this because it feels like they’re being silenced. But that’s what happens when you go against the grain.

Nobody ever gets their voice heard by asking nicely — just ask black people, women and LGBTQI people.

If it took the queers, blacks and women a lot of cancelling over their years of protesting, then the white straight man should have the same level playing field.

Also, side note… There’s a growing implication that the media have lost their power thanks to social media. That anyone can have their voices heard, as if the gatekeepers of information have become redundant. But this is not true.

While the mainstream media is having to compete with free and open platforms, including Medium, the dissemination of information still requires the right level of power and money. You could write the most forward-thinking post, one that ought to be read by everyone, but only get a handful of views. So the question here is how can we revalue the way we see stories? (consider the current crisis with people calling it a hoax)

Personally, I believe the answer to all of the world’s problems is education.