[fullmetal]

Maybe "free speech" is just another way to say "no one gets loud at you if you voice one opinion or another." 

I think there definitely can be chilling effects when people holding extreme views shout down those making opposing points.  Sometimes you get people who react vigorously to loud, opposing views, and a vicious shouting match ensues.  The fewer loud/angry people on campus, the more you may encourage voicing of different, diverse opinions.

However, it's also probably true that fewer strident voices means that there are fewer engaged voices at either the local or global level.  Universities are often places where knowledge is gathered and applied to real life, and sometimes that leads to factually-derived opinions that are unknown or unpopular.

If we need to get loud, let it not be at other people.  Let it be to exhort other people.  Maybe I live in a bubble still, I don't know.

[fullmetal]

Maybe "free speech" is just another way to say "no one gets loud at you if you voice one opinion or another." 

I think there definitely can be chilling effects when people holding extreme views shout down those making opposing points.  Sometimes you get people who react vigorously to loud, opposing views, and a vicious shouting match ensues.  The fewer loud/angry people on campus, the more you may encourage voicing of different, diverse opinions.

However, it's also probably true that fewer strident voices means that there are fewer engaged voices at either the local or global level.  Universities are often places where knowledge is gathered and applied to real life, and sometimes that leads to factually-derived opinions that are unknown or unpopular.

If we need to get loud, let it not be at other people.  Let it be to exhort other people.  Maybe I live in a bubble still, I don't know.