When Should We Regulate Speech?

In this week’s Informed Dissent—our first real fall episode—Jamie Reed, Lauren Leggieri, and Cori Cohn take a darker turn, exploring how speech—whether protected, restricted, or weaponized—shapes the moral landscape of medicine, therapy, and the digital world.Our two deep dives reveal that speech isn’t an abstract legal theory—it can be tied to real harm. First, we examine the Chiles v. Salazar case and the Washington Free Beacon report, “The Problem With Conversion Therapy Bans.” We discuss why therapists should be held to standards that prevent abuse, but why those same regulations must never conflate honest, exploratory therapy with coercive “conversion” practices.Then we turn to The Washington Post’s devastating piece, “White Tiger 764,” a story of digital predation, manipulation, and cruelty that shows how words—and silence—can both destroy.From therapy rooms to Discord servers, this episode asks: when do words heal—and when do they harm? As autumn settles in, we look unflinchingly at the cost of speech, censorship, and what happens when comfort replaces truth.🔗 Resources & Mentions* The Problem With Conversion Therapy Bans — Washington Free Beacon* Teen’s Live-Streamed Suicide Set Off Exhaustive Search for “White Tiger” — The Washington Post* Chiles v. Salazar (Colorado Supreme Court, 2025)* “Lolcows” — a term from harassment forums like Kiwi Farms referring to individuals targeted and mocked for amusement or ideological reasons.* “Hug box” culture — insular online spaces that offer constant affirmation but little accountability, leaving users more isolated and susceptible to manipulation.* Etsy’s Rules for Minors:* Terms of Use — users must be 18+; minors (13–17) may participate only under direct parental supervision.* Can Minors Sell on Etsy? — minors must operate under a parent’s registered account and disclose supervision.* Imagery of Minors Policy — prohibits nude, partially nude, or suggestive images of minors.Thanks for reading Informed Dissent! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit informeddissentpodcast.substack.com/subscribe