In the aftermath of the tragedy that unfolded in France, David Brooks has a recent interesting piece in The New York Times that makes the point that while law can protect fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, it is a somewhat rigid mechanism. Brooks argues that social mannerisms can be more flexible in managing the tension between tolerance for offensive speech and maintaining some level of social decency. Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/opinion/david-brooks-i-am-not-charlie-hebdo.html?_r=1

Ever wonder about the comments that follow online articles in the press? Here’s one opinion expressed in The Washington Post: Anne Applebaum writes… “If you are reading this article on the Internet, stop afterward and think about it. Then scroll to the bottom and read the commentary. If there isn’t any, try a Web site that allows comments, preferably one that is very political. Then recheck your views. Chances are your thinking will have changed, especially if you have read a series of insulting, negative or mocking remarks — as so often you will.”

Read more at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/anne-applebaum-another-reason-to-avoid-reading-the-comments/2014/11/28/b37a9f30-7722-11e4-a755-e32227229e7b_story.html