Some mighty good IMPORTANT news.
North Carolina tried to shut up a man named Nutt who was criticizing flaws in public works - using math.
Nutt didn't have an Expert "license", so the state threatened to arrest him.
Now Nutt was a trained engineer, but without the blessing.
North Carolina tried to shut up a man named Nutt who was criticizing flaws in public works - using math.
Nutt didn't have an Expert "license", so the state threatened to arrest him.
Now Nutt was a trained engineer, but without the blessing.
After he retired, among other things, he "testified about an error he discovered in a development plan's calculation of the capacity of a stormwater detention pond."
He testified that the state's stormwater system was "negligently designed". Etc.
He testified that the state's stormwater system was "negligently designed". Etc.
The state countered "his testimony about the fluid-flow capacity of the diverter would constitute the unauthorized practice of engineering under the relevant statutory authority."
The Appeal to Authority Fallacy as law!
We see this everywhere in our Expertocracy.
The Appeal to Authority Fallacy as law!
We see this everywhere in our Expertocracy.
So the state went after Nutt for not holding a piece of paper. NOT for being wrong in his criticism, which apparently was right.
This is how Experts inside the system shut out error, by legal claims critics do not have standing. The do NOT try to defend their errors.
This is how Experts inside the system shut out error, by legal claims critics do not have standing. The do NOT try to defend their errors.
The court weighed in with various technicalities ("professional conduct exceptions" etc.) and about First amendment niceties.
Kicker: "The Court explained that that would allow the government to get a free pass to abridge speech by 'simply imposing a licensing requirement.'"
Kicker: "The Court explained that that would allow the government to get a free pass to abridge speech by 'simply imposing a licensing requirement.'"
Recall that they tried this various times with journalism. If you weren't a "professional" reporter, then you couldn't report. Etc.
Of course, many profession have strict entry barriers, like medicine. "Safety First!"
Of course, many profession have strict entry barriers, like medicine. "Safety First!"
But barring criticism of "doctors" because one is not a physician oneself is a pure and rank Appeal to Authority.
Which we saw many times in the covid panic.
In Nutt's case, the state also cried "Safety First!"
Which we saw many times in the covid panic.
In Nutt's case, the state also cried "Safety First!"
But judge said the state's Board (overseeing engineering) "has failed to demonstrate the link between the ban and its interest in promoting the public welfare and safeguarding property."
Judge said "Thus, although the government may properly exercise its interests in policing the use of technical knowledge for nonexpressive purposes, those interests must give way to the nation's profound national commitment to free speech in this case"
Here's the entire opinion.
ij.org/wp-content/upl…
ij.org/wp-content/upl…
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