Where do you live where you're allowed to express yourself without any form of approval?

For instance, in the US, I cannot hysterically scream FIRE while running toward the exit of a theater, nor could I express a desire to cause bodily harm to an individual.

Not that I would, per se, but if I did I'd be liable to prosecution for the damages caused in either instance.

I'd have to get the approval of those involved (by their not seeking legal recourse), in order to do either without consequence.

The "shouting fire in a crowded theater" line is one of the most misunderstood pieces of legal dicta in US history. It comes from a case that was overturned by Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969).

Under current First Amendment law, the government cannot punish inflammatory speech unless it is directed to inciting "imminent lawless action" and is "likely" to produce such action.

To illustrate how high this bar is: you can legally sell and wear a T-shirt that says "I heart killing [X group]". While many find that expression offensive or harmful, it is protected speech. This is because:

- It is not a true threat (it doesn’t target a specific individual with a credible intent to harm).

- It isn't incitement (it doesn't command a crowd to commit a crime immediately).

In the US, you don't need approval to express yourself. The default is that your speech is protected unless the government can prove it falls into a tiny handful of narrow, well-defined exceptions.