C.E. Bick's guest appearances

C.E. Bick

Town Hall Seattle Civics Series

In The Moment podcast

Peter Pomerantsev

Samuel Wasser

Rob Reich

Marcus Harrison

Bhaskar Sunkara

Shaun Scott

Timothy Faust

Paul Tough

Milenko Matanovič

Shane Bauer

Peggy Orenstein

Randy Shaw

Steve Scher

César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández

Chris Hedges

OwlTail

Jacob Mchangama

Freedom of speech or expression is a fundamental element of democracy around the globe. Many countries have adopted constitutional laws that protect free speech; it’s also recognized as an international human rights law by the United Nations. But (and there’s always a but) free speech isn’t cut and dry, and interpretation of the not-so-simple right can vary from region to region and during times of social or political unrest. Danish lawyer and human rights advocate Jacob Mchangama has been researching and writing about freedom of expression for well over a decade. In his newest book, Free Speech, he traced the fascinating history of the concept from ancient Athenian principles to the civil rights movement to the digital activists of today. Mchangama, in conversation with C.E. Bick, discussed how — and why — free speech is currently on the retreat in both democracies and authoritarian states worldwide. Mchangama explained how freedom of expression is the basis for intellectual achievements; it keeps propelling us forward, generating new ideas, and advancing freedom and equality worldwide. But, he contended, the limits of free speech are often challenged when new voices or voices of dissent enter the scene. With the relatively new layers of expression added to humankind’s repertoire via social media and other digital tools, Mchangama offered a timely and thought-provoking reminder of the role free speech plays as a foundational human right. Jacob Mchangama is the founder and executive director of the Danish think tank Justitia and the host of the podcast Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech. His writing on free speech has appeared in the Economist, the Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and other outlets. He lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. Carolyn Bick is a reporter for the South Seattle Emerald. Their work focuses on police accountability and sheds light on the issues surrounding the City of Seattle’s police accountability system. Buy the Book: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Hardcover) from Third Place Books Presented by Town Hall Seattle. To become a member or make a donation click here. 

Freedom of speech or expression is a fundamental element of democracy around the globe. Many countries have adopted constitutional laws that protect free speech; it’s also recognized as an international human rights law by the United Nations. But (and there’s always a but) free speech isn’t cut and dry, and interpretation of the not-so-simple right can vary from region to region and during times of social or political unrest. Danish lawyer and human rights advocate Jacob Mchangama has been researching and writing about freedom of expression for well over a decade. In his newest book, Free Speech, he traced the fascinating history of the concept from ancient Athenian principles to the civil rights movement to the digital activists of today. <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/event/jacob-mchangama/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mchangama, in conversation with C.E. Bick</a>, discussed how — and why — free speech is currently on the retreat in both democracies and authoritarian states worldwide. Mchangama explained how freedom of expression is the basis for intellectual achievements; it keeps propelling us forward, generating new ideas, and advancing freedom and equality worldwide. But, he contended, the limits of free speech are often challenged when new voices or voices of dissent enter the scene. With the relatively new layers of expression added to humankind’s repertoire via social media and other digital tools, Mchangama offered a timely and thought-provoking reminder of the role free speech plays as a foundational human right. Jacob Mchangama is the founder and executive director of the Danish think tank Justitia and the host of the podcast Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech. His writing on free speech has appeared in the Economist, the Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and other outlets. He lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. Carolyn Bick is a reporter for the South Seattle Emerald. Their work focuses on police accountability and sheds light on the issues surrounding the City of Seattle’s police accountability system. Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9781541600492" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media (Hardcover)</a> from Third Place Books Presented by <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Town Hall Seattle</a>. To become a member or make a donation <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/support/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.

277. Jacob Mchangama with C.E. Bick: A History of Free Speech from Socrates to Social Media

Riane Eisler

Will pandemic, protest, economic instability, and social distance lead to deeper inequalities, more nationalism, and further erosion of democracies around the world? Or are we moving toward a global re-awakening to the importance of community, mutual support, and the natural world? The New Possible: Visions of Our World Beyond Crisis argues that the future has never been so up for grabs in our lifetime, with unique visions from 28 global leaders.  In this week’s episode, contributor Riane Eisler joins us to share her own vision of what can be in conversation with C.E. Bick, presenting not just an inspiration for the future but a potential roadmap for action. Dr. Riane Eisler is a social systems scientist, cultural historian, and attorney. Dr. Eisler is president of the Center for Partnership Studies dedicated to research and education, and Editor-in-Chief of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. Her books include The Chalice and the Blade, The Real Wealth of Nations, and most recently Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future. C.E. Bick is a reporter and visual journalist for the South Seattle Emerald, covering police accountability and COVID-19. Buy the Book: https://oneproject.org/book/  Presented by Town Hall Seattle. To become a member or make a donation click here. 

Will pandemic, protest, economic instability, and social distance lead to deeper inequalities, more nationalism, and further erosion of democracies around the world? Or are we moving toward a global re-awakening to the importance of community, mutual support, and the natural world? The New Possible: Visions of Our World Beyond Crisis argues that the future has never been so up for grabs in our lifetime, with unique visions from 28 global leaders. <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/event/riane-eisler-with-c-e-bick-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> In this week’s episode</a>, contributor Riane Eisler joins us to share her own vision of what can be in conversation with C.E. Bick, presenting not just an inspiration for the future but a potential roadmap for action. Dr. Riane Eisler is a social systems scientist, cultural historian, and attorney. Dr. Eisler is president of the <a href="https://centerforpartnership.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Center for Partnership Studies</a> dedicated to research and education, and Editor-in-Chief of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. Her books include The Chalice and the Blade, The Real Wealth of Nations, and most recently Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future. C.E. Bick is a reporter and visual journalist for the South Seattle Emerald, covering police accountability and COVID-19. Buy the Book: <a href="https://oneproject.org/book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://oneproject.org/book/</a> Presented by <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Town Hall Seattle</a>. To become a member or make a donation <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/support/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.

94. Riane Eisler with C.E. Bick: The New Possible