We wanted to run an event where controversial opinions could be shared without restraint: “a safe space for what you can't say in ‘safe spaces’”

So a mechanism was devised:

Examples of what may or may have been on the slips:

  • “Only white men can save us.”
  • “Intelligent people are worth more.”
  • “Bestiality is good, actually.”
 

We also advertised the event so only a certain kind of person showed up:

One attendee said:

It was life-giving to be in an environment where I could say what I think without second guessing myself

Has anyone else run social events with plausible deniability?

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It's a creative idea and would be an interesting experiment. That being said, I can't help but wonder why the focus is on sharing such heavy opinions. I'll be honest in that it's not been a major challenge for me in my life to not avoid talking about things that could likely spell discomfort. It's not even been intentional, because to me, it's a party and I want to be talking about things that are fun for myself and for others. 

If you are deliberately getting into heavy discussions about a potential socially dangerous topic, I'd ask why you feel the need to talk about it in that setting anyway. Is a party really the place where the requirements for good outcomes to the discussion are going to be present? Sure, mention something in passing but leave the actual discussion for other settings/atmospheres. 

I'm not going to tell you how to party though - I just think it's odd that when others are coming together to have a good time, voicing heavy opinions and fielding heavy discussions are where these attendees minds go to.