Photo credit, artist: Nikita Abakumov, property of Miramax Films, fair use
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen the film Pulp Fiction (1994). Nevertheless, I can recall distinct moments in my memory whereby I’d recite lines from the movie with friends from yesteryear.
For instance, when residing in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, a fellow Marine Security Guard and I used to joyfully rehearse a scene in which characters Jules and Brett engaged in dialogue. The following conversation took place in the film:
Brett: I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name. I got yours, Vincent, right? But I never got yours...
Jules: My name’s Pitt. And your ass ain’t talkin’ your way out of this shit.
Brett: No, no, I just want you to know... I just want you to know how sorry we are that things got so fucked up with us and Mr. Wallace. We got into this thing with the best intentions, really, I never...
Jules: [Jules shoots the man on the couch] Oh, I’m sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn’t mean to do that. Please, continue. You were saying something about best intentions. What’s the matter? Oh, you were finished! Oh, well, allow me to retort. What does Marsellus Wallace look like?
Brett: What?
Jules: [Jules turns over a table] What country you from?
Brett: What? What? Wh – ?
Jules: “What” ain’t no country I’ve ever heard of. They speak English in What?
Brett: What?
Jules: English, motherfucker, do you speak it?
Brett: Yes!
Jules: Then you know what I'm sayin’!
Brett: Yes!
Jules: Describe what Marsellus Wallace looks like!
Brett: What?
Jules: Say ‘what’ again. Say ‘what’ again, I dare you. I double dare you, motherfucker! Say ‘what’ one more goddamn time!
Admittedly, my subjective perception of humor associated with the scene may not be of comedic interest to you. If that’s the case, you may not appreciate this post. Presuming you’re still reading, allow me to proceed.
As the 2024 United States (U.S.) presidential election season is in full swing, I’ve paid close attention to concerning narratives regarding free speech. This matter is covered under First Amendment protection as a negative right—a right not to be subjected to an action of another person or group such as a government, usually occurring in the form of abuse or coercion.
Whereas negative rights oblige inaction, positive rights oblige action. As an example, each U.S. citizen enjoys the right for government actors not to interfere with free speech (negative). Alternatively, U.S. personnel are entitled to the right to counsel (positive).
First Amendment protection is a guarantee, not a mere suggestion. As a negative right, it’s presumed that the government doesn’t give an individual this right. Rather, each person is born with that which government actors are theoretically prevented from removing.
Of course, as fallible human beings, government actors and others who influence governmental function repeatedly infringe upon free speech activities. Rather than disturbing myself with irrational beliefs about these violations, I constructively write blog entries about my concerns.
The current blogpost serves as my rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) perspective on such infringement. To frame this matter, I recognize that I have control only over myself, I may be able to influence other people, and matters outside of my sphere of control and influence are merely concerns.
Increasingly, I’ve heard members of the Mockingbird media, politicians, and former U.S. government employees calling for censorship of free speech. In a blog entry entitled Information Overload I addressed the tools of tyranny which are often advocated in this regard.
Perhaps you’re familiar with these oppressive instruments. The term “misinformation” is often trotted out in reference to incorrect or misleading information. When conceptualizing this term, I think of a mistake as representative of misinformation.
The word “disinformation” is also used in reference to false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. Here, truth is simply the body of real things, events, and facts.
When contemplating the second term, I think of a deliberate lie as representative of disinformation. Then there’s “malinformation” which is a relatively recent linguistic tool that reportedly references information which is based on fact, but removed from its original context in order to mislead, harm, or manipulate.
In essence, malinformation is truthful data though which serves as an inconvenience to some entities. When conceptualizing the final term, I think of an Orwellian concept used by partisan actors in order to silence dissidents.
Perhaps a few examples of these anti-free speech phrases would help synthesize the information for you. Imagine that you and I are planning to attend a local movie theater which is honoring a 30-year commemorative airing of Pulp Fiction.
Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters from the film, the event will be catered, and there are rumors of a surprise guest appearance from filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. While I’ve seen the film many times, you’ve never watched it. The event is at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
You ask me, “Which day and at what time is the event, this Friday or Saturday at 7 p.m.?” Mistakenly, I respond, “This Friday at 6 p.m.” Unfortunately, neither of us verifies the information and we show up to the theater at 5:30 p.m. on Friday to purchase tickets.
In a different scenario, though involving the same event, you ask me, “Is there gratuitous use of profanity and violence in the film?” Deceptively, I reply, “Oh, no. There’s hardly any cussing or action in the movie.” While watching the film, you learn of my deliberate lie.
In yet an alternative scenario which involves the same event, you ask me, “Since Tarantino may be present, I’d like to know, is his reported work ethic compatible with feminist ideology?” Say less. We’re not going to see the film together. In fact, you and I aren’t hanging out ever again.
Jokes (not jokes) aside, imagine that I respond to your question by truthfully stating, “Tarantino addressed allegations of harmful treatment from Pulp Fiction actress Uma Thurman. Purportedly, he didn’t treat her well when filming movies.”
Whereas the mistaken movie airing date and time represents misinformation, deceptive expression about profanity and violence in the film constitute disinformation. Information about Tarantino that may be truthful though inconvenient reflects malinformation.
Regarding the latter tyrannical category of free speech suppression, I value speaking truth even when doing so isn’t otherwise advantageous. Putting my own spin on Jules’ narrative in Pulp Fiction, I now ask, “Truth, motherfucker, do you speak it?”
Or will you perhaps cower in the face of tyranny, silence yourself, attempt to quiet others, infringe upon negative rights, and bend the knee to those talking heads of power structures that use disinformation to stifle truthful, though allegedly harmful, information that confronts their lies?
You may not be able to vote your way out of oppression or comply your way out of tyranny, though you can speak truth about what’s going on. At least, you can for now. So, what choice will you make? Truth, do you speak it?
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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Cornell Law School. (n.d.). First Amendment. Cornell University. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
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