#freedomofthought — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #freedomofthought, aggregated by home.social.
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A quotation from Henry Commager
The concept of loyalty as conformity is a false one. It is narrow and restrictive, denies freedom of thought and of conscience, and is irremediably stained by private and selfish considerations.
Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1947-09), “Who Is Loyal to America?” sec. 3, Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 195, No. 1168More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #conformity #freethought #freedomofconscience #freedomofthought #loyalty #onetrueway #orthodoxy #selfcenteredness #selfishness
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I was afraid of a united Church; it makes a mighty power, the mightiest conceivable, and then when it by and by gets into selfish hands, as it is always bound to do, it means death to human liberty and paralysis to human thought.
Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
Novel (1889), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Part 3 “The Tale of the Lost Land,” ch. 10 “Beginnings of Civilization”More about this quote: wist.info/twain-mark/85458/
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #marktwain #twain #connecticutyankee #church #churchandstate #corruption #freedomofthought #humannature #liberty #oppression #organizedreligion #religion #religiousintolerance #tyranny
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Psychology
An extract from It's Personal. The Hawthorne Effect, the Chinese social credit system, and why observing everyone does not protect the children it claims to protect.
https://www.thatprivacyguy.com/blog/the-psychology-of-surveillance
#surveillance #chatcontrol #csam #psychology #HumanRights #FreedomOfThought #china #privacy #psychographics #identity
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🧠 Mental and intellectual privacy is a precursor to Freedom of Thought (FoT) and it's what we must protect to keep the Thought Police at bay.
#privacy #privacymatters #freedomofthought #mentalprivacy #intellectualprivacy
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📕 Freedom of Thought (FoT), intellectual privacy, these are human rights that too often are not protected to the full extent.
We can not live in a truly free society in their absence.#privacy #privacymatters #mentalprivacy #physicalprivacy #neurorights #freedomofthought #intellectualprivacy
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When liberty’s position is challenged, artists and writers are the ones who first take up the sword. They do so without persuasion, for the battle is peculiarly their own. In the nature of things, a person engaged in the flimsy business of expressing himself on paper is dependent on the large general privilege of being heard. Any intimation that this privilege may be revoked throws a writer into a panic. His is a double allegiance to freedom — an intellectual one springing from the conviction that pure thought has a right to function unimpeded, and a selfish one springing from his need, as a breadwinner, to be allowed to speak his piece.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Essay (1939-01), “One Man’s Meat,” Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 178More about this quote: wist.info/white-eb/84790/
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ebwhite #artist #censorship #control #freethought #freedomofexpression #freedomofthought #liberty #tyranny #writer
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📲 Computer vision is a privacy-degrading corporate activity. Maintaining Freedom of Thought, privacy, dignity and self-determination requires deliberate rejection of surveillance tech that multiplies "computer vision" capabilities in our day-to-day lives.
#privacy #privacymatters #panopticon #surveillance #surveillancecapitalism #freedomofthought #computervision
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❓ Intellectual Property and privacy are interlinked, and the lack of "Intellectual Privacy" is a hindrance to Freedom of Thought (FoT) and creativity.
#privacy #privacymatters #IntellectualProperty #intellectualprivacy #datapoisoning #ai #freedomofthought
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Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
[Wenige sind imstande, von den Vorurteilen der Umgebung abweichende Meinungen gelassen auszusprechen; die Meisten sind sogar unfähig, überhaupt zu solchen Meinungen zu gelangen.]Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Essay (1953-05-23), “Aphorisms for Leo Baeck [Neun Aphorismen], No. 4, Essays Presented to Leo Baeck on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (1954) [Einstein Archives 28-962]More about this quote: wist.info/einstein-albert/210/
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #einstein #alberteinstein #freedomofthought #freethinking #heterodoxy #peerpressure #prejudice #society
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A quotation from Kurt Vonnegut
And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles.
So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1922-2007) American novelist, journalist
Essay (2004-08-06), “I Love You, Madame Librarian,” In These Times Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 20 (2004-08-30)More about this quote: wist.info/vonnegut-kurt-jr/840…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #vonnegut #kurtvonnegut #kurtvonnegutjr #bookbanning #bookburning #censorship #freedomofthought #librarians #library #privacy
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A quotation from Adlai Stevenson
My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.
Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-10-07), “Safeguards Against Communism,” Masonic Temple, Detroit, MichiganMore about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #adlaistevenson #freecountry #freesociety #freedom #freedomofexpression #freedomofthought #heterodoxy #minority #unpopularity #liberty
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A quotation from Bertrand Russell
Those who believe that the voice of the people is the voice of God may infer that any unusual opinion or peculiar taste is almost a form of impiety, and is to be viewed as a culpable rebellion against the legitimate authority of the herd. This will only be avoided if liberty is as much valued as democracy, and it is realized that a society in which each is the slave of all is only a little better than one in which each is the slave of a despot. There is equality where all are slaves, as well as where all are free. This shows that equality, by itself, is not enough to make a good society.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
Lecture (1949-01-16), “The Conflict of Technique and Human Nature,” Reith Lecture, “Authority and the Individual” No. 4, BBC RadioMore about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/837…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #authority #conformity #democracy #dissent #equality #freedom #freedomofthought #herd #heterodoxy #liberty #majority #mob #popularopinion #slavery #tyrannyofthemajority #wethepeople #voxpopuli
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A quotation from Madeleine L'Engle
I am very wary of those individuals who are neither writers nor editors nor even, in some cases, readers, who feel that they have the right to apply their own moral criteria to the books in public and school libraries. I have enormous respect and admiration and love for the librarians who are rising up to protest this, because they are putting their very jobs on the line.
Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007) American writer
Speech (1983-11-16), “Dare To Be Creative,” Lecture, Library of Congress, Washington, DCMore about this quote: wist.info/lengle-madeleine/831…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #madeleinelengle #bookbanning #books #censorship #communitystandards #control #freedomofthought #intellectualfreedom #librarian #library #moralcode #power #suppression
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A quotation from Henry Commager
A nation which, in the name of loyalty or of patriotism or of a sincere and high-sounding idea, discourages criticism and dissent, and puts a premium on acquiescence and conformity, is headed for disaster.
Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1949-11-05), “What Ideas Are Safe?” Saturday ReviewMore about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #henrycommager #acquiescence #conformity #control #dissent #freespeech #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #heterodoxy #intolerance #loyalty #orthodoxy #patriotism #security #intellectualfreedom
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A quotation from Henry Commager
We cannot have a society half slave and half free; nor can we have thought half slave and half free. If we create an atmosphere in which men fear to think independently, inquire fearlessly, express themselves freely, we will in the end create the kind of society in which men no longer care to think independently or to inquire fearlessly.
Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1949-11-05), “What Ideas Are Safe?” Saturday ReviewMore about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #henrycommager #fear #freeexpression #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #freethinking #independence #inquiry #intellectualfreedom #oppression #questioning #thoughtcontrol
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A quotation from Adlai Stevenson
And the freedom of the mind, my friends, has served America well. The vigor of our political life, our capacity for change, our cultural, scientific, and industrial achievements, all derive from free inquiry, from the free mind — from the imagination, resourcefulness, and daring of men who are not afraid of new ideas. Most all of us favor free enterprise for business. Let us also favor free enterprise for the mind. For, in the last analysis, we would fight to the death to protect it.
Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York CityMore about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #adlaistevenson #America #freeenterprise #freethought #freedom #freedomofthought #ideas #imagination #inquiry #marketplaceofideas
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A quotation from William Drummond
He, who will not reason, is a bigot; he, who cannot, is a fool; and he, who dares not, is a slave.
William Drummond of Logie-Almond (1770-1828) Scottish classical scholar, philosopher, diplomat, politician
Academical Questions, Preface (1805)More about this quote: wist.info/drummond-william/273…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #williamdrummond #freethought #freedomofthought #meme #mindcontrol #reason #reasonability #reasoning #slavery #thinking #thought #tyranny #unreasoning
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A quotation from Adlai Stevenson
The anatomy of patriotism is complex. But surely intolerance and public irresponsibility cannot be cloaked in the shining armor of rectitude and righteousness. Nor can the denial of the right to hold ideas that are different — the freedom of man to think as he pleases. To strike freedom of the mind with the fist of patriotism is an old and ugly subtlety.
Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York CityMore about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #adlaistevenson #prejudice #liberty #freethought #freedomofthought #ideas #intolerance #irresponsibility #opinions #patriotism
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A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt
In the democracies of the world, the passion for freedom of speech and of thought is always accentuated when there is an effort anywhere to keep ideas away from people and to prevent them from making their own decisions. One of the best ways of enslaving a people is to keep them from education and thus make it impossible for them to understand what is going on in the world as a whole. […] The second way of enslaving a people is to suppress the sources of information, not only by burning books, but by controlling all the other ways in which ideas are transmitted.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) First Lady of the US (1933-45), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1943-05-11), “My Day”More about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/81…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #eleanorroosevelt #bookburning #education #freepress #freespeech #freedomofexpression #freedomofspeech #freedomofthepress #freedomofthought #information #media #oppression #thoughtcontrol #tyranny #understanding
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"Putin is pushing to move Russians to what Moscow calls a 'sovereign internet,' an online world cut off from Western technology and other foreign influences that is more susceptible to government censorship and control":
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/world/europe/russia-max-app.html
#FreedomOfSpeech & #FreedomOfThought are disappearing from #Russia.
#politics #tech #SocialMedia -
A quotation from Thomas Carlyle
No iron chain, or outward force of any kind, could ever compel the soul of a man to believe or to disbelieve: it is his own indefeasible light, that judgment of his; he will reign, and believe there, by the grace of God alone!
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and historian
Lecture (1840-05-15), “The Hero as Priest,” Home House, Portman Square, LondonMore about this quote: wist.info/carlyle-thomas/6667/
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #thomascarlyle #belief #compulsion #force #freethought #freedomofreligion #freedomofthought #intolerance #judgment #orthodoxy #religiousfreedom #religiousintolerance #selfdirection #soul #theocracy
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A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt
In our country we must trust the people to hear and see both the good and the bad and to choose the good. The Un-American Activities Committee seems to me to be better for a police state than for the USA.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) First Lady of the US (1933-45), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1947-10-29), “My Day”More info about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/80…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #eleanorroosevelt #America #freedomofthought #inquiry #marketplaceofideas #mccarthyism #RedScare #society #trust #huac #unamerican
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A quotation from Teddy Roosevelt
Government by the people means that the people have the right to do their own thinking and to do their own speaking about their public servants. They must speak truthfully and they must not be disloyal to the country, and it is their highest duty by truthful criticism to make and keep the public servants loyal to the country.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901-1909)
Essay (1918-04-06), “Citizens or Subjects?” Kansas City StarMore about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-theodore/8…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #teddyroosevelt #theodoreroosevelt #bythepeople #criticism #democracy #freespeech #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #government #loyalty #publicservants
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A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt
What is going on in the Un-American Activities Committee worries me primarily because little people have become frightened and we find ourselves living in the atmosphere of a police state, where people close doors before they state what they think or look over their shoulders apprehensively before they express an opinion.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) First Lady of the US (1933-45), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1947-10-29), “My Day”More about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/80…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #eleanorroosevelt #chillingeffect #fear #freespeech #freedomofspeech #freedomofthought #mccarthyism #policestate #RedScare #selfcensorship #tyranny
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Maintain (or gain) freedom of mind 👀🖤 #freedomofthought #mind #consciousness
November 07, 2025 at 07:01AM
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Imprisoned journalists from Belarus and Georgia win the EU's Sakharov Prize for 2025.
The European Parliament awarded the European Union's top human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia, EP President Roberta Metsola announced on Wednesday.
#SakharovPrize #AndrzejPoczobut #MziaAmaglobeli #EuropeanParliament #FreedomOfThought #Journalism #Media #Reporting #HumanRights #Belarus #Georgia