Calm, censorious mobs are still censorious mobs.
[Markdown format] This quote highlights that the demeanor of a group—whether 'calm' or 'agitated'—does not fundamentally change its nature. Even composed mobs, when calling for censorship, continue to wield oppressive tendencies. It serves as a reminder that outward tranquility can mask underlying authoritarian impulses. Recognizing this helps us scrutinize not just the behavior of crowds, but the motivations behind calls for censorship, ensuring that the guise of civility does not lead to censorship's erosion of free expression. ---Mary Katharine Ham---