As far back as Hippocrates we have been advised to avoid harming other human beings. However, to what extent, if any, is harm an allowable by-product of communication? Communication-caused harm has the potential to affect both individuals and multitudes. The nature of both democracy and capitalism is competitive, and competition almost always implies a winner and a loser—with some degree of harm visited on the loser. The question then becomes, How much of that harm is avoidable rather than necessary?
