>Did we learn that from the Holocaust though?
I'm not sure - it seems like some folks consider "free speech" to be things like attacking the very existence of Jews. Should the people in power decide what speech is "more free" than other speech?
America has been big on free speech, and I have been as big a proponent of it as anyone, a true believer you might say. But now even I am starting to wonder if it is a failed concept.
Our ability to understand and manipulate people has increased at the rate of the rest of our science. We are facing the problem that almost anyone can be convinced of almost anything if you are willing to toss enough money at the issue. Reality is anything the ultrawealthy want it to be, and we have almost no ability to counter it.