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Comment by whostolemyhat | Hacker News Reader

> "Free speech zone": a place where it's okay to promote e.g. National Socialism because the argument is that open discussion is more important than people's sensitivities or the denazification laws of Germany/France/etc.

It blocks hate speech, as clearly mentioned in that link.

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Yes, I read that. That massive (and likely deliberate) mischaracterisation of free speech is exactly what the comment you're replying to is objecting to.

> it's okay to promote e.g. National Socialism

Not, it's not OK. If you promote Nazism I'll point out you're an idiot and so will most right minded adults. Something being not banned in not the same thing as it being 'OK'.

Note that it's quoted, in contrast to the other definitions. This is presumably in reference to the abuse of "free speech" rhetoric by neo-Nazis and the like (who typically do not value freedom of expression beyond their own views), rather than tootcafe making that claim about free speech. Maybe that presentation is too subtle to get the point across to most people, but I think it's a valid distinction to make.

> the abuse of "free speech" rhetoric by neo-Nazis

How common are neo nazis in 2018? There's a fringe element on the left who believes anyone on the right of, say, Bernie Sanders, is a Nazi. Tootcafe seems to subscribe to this convenient way of dismissing people that disagree with one's current viewpoint.

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