Op-Ed

Free speech and free thought. Is it free? Apparently not. As years drag on we see the dismantling of society worldwide and a fermenting ignorance of the general public. An atmosphere of those that selectively cosign highly speculative data in the name of identity politics. It happens on all sides of the political spectrum and, it even seems, that those with the least comprehension of geopolitics and economics are at the forefront of these massive campaigns of disintegration. In some cases, contrarian thought is useful in the progression of society and the fulfillment of basic human rights. Civil rights, ecological concerns, and even fascism have become public relations campaigns to generate capital while a focus on international labor laws and antitrust laws have become largely obfuscated by the former. The irony is in the fact that many of the moving parts of this modality have no devotion to any specific ideology whatsoever. Other than, ironically, greed.

Whether it be right-wing conspiratorial groups, religious zealots, Marxists, or disgruntled postal workers, the monetization efforts are vast and complicated. This isn’t mobilization. It’s just another iteration of corporatism. A political Ponzi Scheme. No different than the PACs (Public Action Committees) and corporate lobbyists, but instead of market barriers and rollbacks, the output of these extremist groups are disinformation and violence.

Essentially, if you are part of one of these movements in any capacity other than chairman, Ex-Officio, or CEO, you’re just another underpaid employee at another dead-end job. I’m sure that the benefits of proselytizing the antiquated rhetoric of someone like Frantz Fanon and appearing as a paid protester for a cause you know nothing about isn’t going to be an immediate shoe-in for a long-term career with a pension. These funds aren’t even necessarily paying to support alternate candidates. What these funds do pay for is cars, homes, booze, bills, etc. To the folks on top. Directly funded or indirectly propped up through the products or services they peddle.

Essentially anyone can say they’re anyone promoting any cause and with enough online presence they can monetize support for changing the national language to pig Latin.

According to the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), in a new public report, right-wing extremists raised more than $6.2 Mn on crowdfunding sites between 2016 and 2022.

The Executive Director of the charity assessment organization CharityWatch described the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation as “a giant ghost ship full of treasure drifting… with no captain, no discernible crew, and no clear direction.”

According to a 2020 report showing a lack of compliance with Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the U.S. Department of Education Office of the General Counsel claims, “The higher education sector has self-reported over $6.6 billion from Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with the most recent July 31, 2020, reporting period yielding an additional $1.05 Bn reported from these countries alone. Based on Congressional and Executive Branch investigations, the Department believes this amount is a fraction of the true total. The risk to academic freedom, integrity, and independence posed such contributions has been historically ignored by regulators and overlooked or downplayed by the beneficiaries of foreign largess.”

The 34 page report states that “The Department’s investigations highlight the fact that foreign adversaries are likely targeting specific institutions for their R&D and technologies. This information highlights the critical national and economic security risks created by institutions’ failure to be fully transparent with respect to foreign gifts and contracts.”

“Targeting specific institutions for their R&D and technologies.”

While relations with these countries is relatively civil in an economic sense, their views on human rights isn’t necessarily what you would call civil. Especially when they negate the values of the West: economic fortitude, liberty, peace through strength, and protection of individual rights. If economic partnerships supersede fundamental values, then everything has a dollar value. If fundamental values are pegged to the dollar, then these values are simply fiat in and of themselves. The irony in the support of such maladaptive ideals by our most “socially equitable” groups is palpable and evident.

The “right” of free speech has become monetized. The same way war and insecurity has. Free speech and free press are rights that come with a major disclaimer. Popper’s paradox. The paradox is that in order to maintain a tolerant society, society must retain the right to be intolerant of intolerance. The caveat of this standard is in the multiple post-modern definitions regarding intolerance based in identity politics as well as the reactive measures taken in the name of snuffing out such perceived aggressions. This continuum of perceived oppression is the result of a dulled society. Objection and acceptance don’t have to be mutually exclusive concepts.