Yet we are still somehow free to publish or post articles such as these without being arrested, tortured, interrogated, electrocuted, and having our heads locked in a rage cage. Perhaps the author is exaggerating just a bit.
True still in many places. Though in some countries you can be arrested for "hateful" posts or acts even if they are non-violet. You can also be kicked off Facebook, Twitter, Patreon, LinkedIn, Paypal, Youtube, the app stores, and Visa payment processing for expressing unpopular opinions. So not jail, more like a version of the black-mirror punishment that made undesirables invisible blurs.
Pack it up everyone, we can talk about it so therefore end of argument
Depend on where you live. About 20-30% of the global pop cannot.
We can talk about it, but many people can't. Let's talk about them.