Words‑Harm Scale Predicts Speech Violence

A new psychometric measure (the 'Words Can Harm' scale) can quantify how strongly people believe language causes lasting damage, and higher scores may predict support for suppressive or even violent responses to speech. If validated, the scale could become an early indicator of which communities are veering from contesting ideas to justifying coercion. — If survey instruments can predict readiness to use force against speech, policymakers, platforms, and universities gain a concrete tool for anticipating and defusing censorious or violent escalations.