Censorship, originally uploaded by Isaac Mao.

Freedom of speech. The First Amendment. We live in a world where information travels around the world in a matter of seconds. Careers are made or broken in a matter of moments. Multi-million dollar business deals are finalized in the time it takes to shake someone’s hand. Ask Don Imus. Ask Tim Hardaway. As an individual brand, can you afford to say whatever is on your mind? With freedom of speech you are given the right to speak but does that include hate speech, obscenity, or defamation?

Censorship = SENSEorship; it is about economics. It has to make dollars and sense. When we make statements without thinking and without using sound judgment, does it make sense? Words are containers that produce after their own kind. Productive words produce power, influence, favor, and wealth. Non-productive words produce lack and promote poverty. As a personal brand, you are one sound bite away from blowing up. Are you blowing up in a positive way (exploding on the scene to make a difference) or are you blowing up in a negative way (such as bombing out)? You are always on camera, your life is one continuous infomercial. You must understand you are ‘free’ to say whatever you like as long as you are willing to pay the price. The Imus situation became a matter of economics once the sponsors withdrew their money. Tim Hardaway’s decision to speak his mind and make anti-homosexual comments cost him his livelihood. There are business opportunities within the NBA he’ll probably never get back - - even after a successful 13-year NBA career. Can you afford to say EVERYTHING that is on your mind? Censorship is ultimately about SENSEorship. Successful personal brands exercise sound judgments before making statements that could cost them everything.