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SamNav Archive 2017 A Clarification
SA-2017-12 · Entry 0094Public essay

A Clarification

The post emphasizes the importance of allowing controversial ideas to be discussed in society, arguing that progress often stems from unpopular opinions. While advocating for free speech, it distinguishes between tolerating harmful behavior and fostering open dialogue. The author reflects on how societal norms evolve and warns against the dangers of suppressing discussions on offensive topics, which can hinder moral and scientific advancement.

Published 2017-12-16 3 min read 607 words 2 topics
Before you set out 3/5 Navigation SeverityCartographic IncidentThe route is real, but the signage gets weird enough to deserve a field note.
Excerpt · opening linespulled from source
I made a point in this post inelegantly in a way that was easy to misunderstand, so I’d like to clarify it. I didn’t mean that we need to tolerate brilliant homophobic jerks in the lab so that we can have scientific prog
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Read the full essay on Sam Altman's blog
blog.samaltman.com/a-clarification
Opens the original in a new tab · last reachable 2026-05-02
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