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Free speech is not only about articulation. It's also about the ability to share, disseminate, and influence others.

Speech without thought isn't free speech. It's just people and sometimes mobs saying things.

Freedom of information flow isn't the same thing. Democracy works best with an informed electorate. Information flow without discourse is just indoctrination. And that's what Facebook (unintendedly) optimizes for.

Speech even without thought is still free speech. You would hope that the most thoughtful speech would be easily recognized and followed in place of its opposite. However, free speech does not exist in a world where only one group decides what is thoughtful speech.

The only speech without thought is tourettes.

And glossolalia, and sleeptalking. Oh, and recitation from memory. Probably some other things.

Depending on your definition of "thought".

>> Speech without thought isn't free speech.

That's a rather strong opening to limiting free speech. Who gets to decide that my speech was without thought? Is there an approval process? Can I repeal the decision? Do I have to document my thoughts before I speak to prove later that I did indeed think before I spoke out against the people that make those distinctions?

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