Sam Director

The extraordinary document offers a glimpse of a national campaign by the federal government to deprive detained immigrants of due process rights. reason.com/2026/01/30/jud…

This article of mine addresses all of the standard objections to open borders that libertarians raise (link below)

Maybe it was a mistake to make the head of DHS a woman who shot her dog in the face.

On Thursday, a federal judge unsealed internal government documents shining a light into how the Trump administration targeted pro-Palestinian foreign students — who were all legally present in the United States — for deportation. Now we know that the government’s case was built not on criminal activity, but on the opinions expressed. There are few things more un-American than masked agents throwing dissenters in the back of a van because the government doesn’t like what they have to say. But these documents prove that it was the students’ opinions alone, and not any criminal activity, that led to handcuffs and deportation proceedings. The First Amendment means the government cannot punish speakers for their opinions, but that is exactly what the government is doing. This can’t happen in a free society. It can’t happen in a free America. FIRE will continue to fight this egregious violation of the Constitution every step of the way.

although the phenomenon far predates this term. In this paper, I offer a definition of cancel culture and contrast it with a culture of criticism. I then proceed to analyze why cancellation is often morally problematic and not conducive to liberal society.”

structures impose immense pressure on the speech of individuals. Recently, there has been extensive societal wrestling concerning social pressures and sanctions on individual speech. This paper explores this, specifically the phenomenon that has become known as “cancel culture,”

I’m happy to say that my paper “Social Sanctions, Criticism, and Speech” is forthcoming at Social Theory and Practice. It's an attempt to define and critique cancel culture. Abstract and link below:

@chenphilosophy I think the evidence in Carl Hart’s work shows that this wouldn’t be the case. But, I’m in principle committed to such an outcome being allowed so long as it results from the consent of competent adults who aren’t doing physical harm to others.

@sam_director_ What do you have to say to those who fear rampant addiction with people passed out on the street?

If drugs were legal, Breaking Bad would be a story about an entrepreneur, and nobody would die in it. Drug prohibition makes for great TV but bad public policy.

In the first two weeks of the newborn phase, I’ve been listening to tons of audiobooks while up late with the baby. So far, I’ve finished Caplan’s The Myth of the Rational Voter, Hart’s Drug Use for Grownups, and Haidt’s The Anxious Generation.

Made a resolution to not check the philosophy blogs this summer. I’ve mostly kept it, and I feel like I’ve not missed anything that enriches my life.

If you are an academic who likes podcasts and birds, this is a really fun episode of Econ Talk: open.spotify.com/episode/1U6xek…

Has anyone suggested seizing the means of philosophy blog production?

@LenhardtStevens L on Vancouver.

Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Lake Oswego.

I don’t understand how Coldplay hate became a default attitude among alternative and indie folks. Their first 4 albums are incredible. Starting at Mylo Xyloto, there is a decrease in quality, but most bands don’t even make 4 good albums to begin with.

Courses prepped and published for the fall, new paper under review, invited chapter done, R&R submitted, and book under contract. I should have a baby due more often!

I help @Mattzwolinski edit the new edition of his successful reader. It is coming out on July 31st. If you’re teaching a course in political philosophy or PPE, this reader is ideal for you. Check out the table of contents and enjoy a discount: routledge.com/Arguing-About-…