Perplexity summary:

The article "Liberalism Removes its Mask" from Racket News discusses a shift in how Western governments, particularly in the United States, are approaching internet companies and free speech. It highlights how democratic governments are increasingly losing patience with tech moguls like Elon Musk and Pavel Durov, who have previously operated with a degree of freedom from regulatory oversight. The article references a piece from the Washington Post that notes this change, describing it as a "vibe shift" where tech leaders must now be more cautious about regulatory environments.

The author argues that American liberalism, which once championed rights and free speech, is now aligning with more authoritarian measures when it comes to regulating social media and tech companies. This shift is exemplified by former Labor Secretary Robert Reich's suggestions on controlling Elon Musk and the New York Times questioning the limits of the First Amendment. The article suggests that this change reveals a longstanding hypocrisy within liberal circles, where the advocacy for rights often stops when it conflicts with the interests of affluent communities.

The piece concludes by asserting that the mask of liberalism has been removed, exposing an underlying elitism that prioritizes control and order over the protection of individual rights, particularly when those rights are exercised by those outside of privileged circles[1].

Citations: [1] https://www.racket.news/p/liberalism-removes-its-mask