“However, there is one right that young people are less keen on extending to others: the right to say what you want. Overall, fewer than half of those polled agreed that people should be allowed to express non-violent opinions even if they offend minorities. In Britain and Germany, for instance, only 46% and 48% did.
The right to free speech is not absolute, as anyone who shouts “fire” in a crowded theatre will soon discover. At the same time, the recent polling data bolster the view that today′s youth are embracing a right not to be offended, which threatens to squelch necessary debate. Time will tell whether this group starts to dedicate itself to winning arguments rather than to preventing them from occurring.”
The Economist: Young people and free speech »
Hey, young people: I demand that you stop saying that free speech isn’t important, it’s offensive!
It should be obvious, but to make sure no one misunderstands: that was sarcastic.
Also, sorry for saying this, but it is not unlikely that you are forwarding government propaganda. As I blogged long ago: “Statistics are almost always pure, ultra high-powered propaganda.”
It probably not even fake; they have just asked the questions in a way to make sure the answers line up with what they want.
Think about it: People that find not being offended more important than free speech, feels empowered by it. People who doesn’t care themselves, but want to please others, goes that way in their work. People like us feel as if our efforts are futile, gets stressed and depressed, and if it goes far enough, just shuts up instead of taking the fight, as it already seems lost.