Why Free Speech Is Society's Immune System | Orrin Johnson | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Are some thoughts or ideas too dangerous to hear? Should we give politicians the power to outlaw – and define – “hate speech”? Or should we continue to trust in the First Amendment, knowing that exposure to an offensive idea – and the right of others to speak out against those ideas – inoculates us and makes us stronger as a society? Orrin Johnson explains why free speech is society's immune system using as examples two people with ties to The University of Nevada, Reno - Colin Kaepernick and Peter Cvjetanovic. Orrin is a Deputy District Attorney in Carson City, Nevada. He also writes a weekly column on politics and public policy for the Nevada Independent. He began his legal career after graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007 as a public Defender in Reno, Nevada, during which time he lobbied his state legislature on criminal defense issues. Prior to his legal career, Orrin graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. He then served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy, from 1998 – 2004. He served aboard two destroyers – as the Electrical Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) and as the Navigator of USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) – deploying three times in four years. During these deployments, Orrin led boarding teams to search and sometimes seize vessels violating sanctions then in place against Iraq. He completed his service as the Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Center Everett, WA. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx