Where the Truth-Seekers Grow

Mark Zuckerberg seems increasingly keen on the ancient idea that free-speaking societies foster truth-seekers, and truth-seekers build lasting, worthwhile civilizations. He's right, and that's good. Although it's far more likely that Mr. Zuckerberg is simply following the nascent cultural zeitgeist, championed by his contemporaries Elon & Rogan; I'd prefer to think Zuckerberg is channeling his inner John Stuart Mill in 2025. My favorite Mill quote is found in his famous essay, On Liberty.

In it he writes, “The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.”

A culture that denies its people the right to uncover truth for themselves is rotten. If we forfeit the ability to freely exchange ideas, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to be enlightened, to be refined, to become something better. What’s worse, is that left unchallenged, our own ideas and beliefs often grow weak and atrophy. ?

So, in an effort to better nurture the free flow of ideas on his platforms, Mark Zuckerberg announced significant changes today. Here are the big takeaways, if you haven't had a chance to listen to the full speech.

1.????? Removing "politically biased" fact-checkers & replacing with community notes;

2.????? Removing content restrictions on topics like #gender & #immigration;

3.????? Narrowing content violation filters to focus on illegal and "high-severity violations to "dramatically reduced censorship" across platforms;

4.????? Bringing back civic & political content; and

5.????? Moving trust, safety, and content review teams from CA to TX "to promote free expression" and address concerns about "bias"

In making these changes, Zuckerberg openly acknowledged the flaws, bias, and human corruption of the previous system. And if you believe him, he hopes these new programs will foster an increase in the free exchange of ideas across his platforms. I am optimistic that he'll achieve his stated objective.

If the truth will set us free, then societies that protect the truth are destined for greatness. These changes are a net positive, and I hope he keeps at it. Whatever the motivation—point for Zuckerberg.