"I think, therefore I am censored"

“I think, therefore I am censored” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is a parody of the philosophical proposition by René Descartes (1596-1650), “I think, therefore I am” (Cogito ergo sum).

“I think therefore I am censored” was posted on Twitter by Cosmos on June 26, 2020. A Facebook post by Collin College Libraries on September 29, 2020 showed the saying printed on items of clothing.

Wikipedia: Cogito ergo sum
Cogito ergo sum (/ˈkoʊɡɨtoʊ ˈɜrɡoʊ ˈsʊm/, also /ˈkɒɡɨtoʊ/, /ˈsʌm/; Classical Latin: [ˈkoːɡitoː ˈɛrɡoː ˈsʊm], “I think, therefore I am”) is a philosophical proposition by René Descartes. The simple meaning of the Latin phrase is that thinking about one’s existence proves—in and of itself—that an “I” exists to do the thinking; or, as Descartes explains, “[W]e cannot doubt of our existence while we doubt … .”

This proposition became a fundamental element of Western philosophy, as it was perceived to form a foundation for all knowledge. While other knowledge could be a figment of imagination, deception or mistake, the very act of doubting one’s own existence arguably serves as proof of the reality of one’s own existence, or at least of one’s thought.

Descartes’ original phrase, ej pense, donc je suis (French pronunciation: [ʒə pɑ̃s dɔ̃k ʒə sɥi]), appeared in his Discourse on the Method (1637), which was written in French rather than Latin to reach a wider audience in his country than scholars. He used the Latin cogito ergo sum in the later Principles of Philosophy (1644).

Twitter
Cosmos 🕊🌍🌎🌏🌑🇺🇳
@Cosmos43785508
🤔 In the digital era “I think therefore I am gagged” has become a thing.
I think therefore I am censored.
I think therefore I am stealth banned?
I think therefore I must accept that I scream unto the void.
How dangerous can a thought be?
It can burn an Empire.
4:37 AM · Jun 26, 2020·Twitter for Android

Facebook
Collin College Libraries
September 29, 2020 at 6:00 PM ·
(“I THINK, THEREFORE I AM CENSORED” is shown on items of clothing.—ed.)

Facebook
Flag and Cross
December 22, 2020 at 11:42 AM ·
LOL! We all need this Unisex, Cotton Tee.
https://store.flagandcross.com/.../i-think-therefore-i-am…
(“I THINK, THEREFORE I AM CENSORED” is shown on a T-shirt.—ed.)

Twitter
👽😶‍🌫️ ski mask
@chefjerrad
i think therefore i am censored.
1:16 PM · May 10, 2021 from Barbados·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Camden’s Chronicles
@JMScienceTeach1
Replying to @theoriginaltams @bjchris01 and 8 others
I am leaving state level as well & again they want an explanation. Too much political pressure, not in my opinion enough action. Our PD is provided by district. The other I have my own. FB I care less I actually find it comical. I think therefore I am censored is their motto.
2:05 PM · Jul 3, 2021·Twitter for Android

Facebook
The W O R D
September 29, 2021 at 11:11 AM ·
The news is Propaganda. The Truth is being censored.
(“I THINK, THERE FORE I AM CENSORED” is shown on a mem about Facebook censorship.—ed.)

Twitter
ThatCatGirl
@ThatCatGirl
I think, therefore i am censored…..
(This saying is also shown on an image.—ed.)
7:17 PM · Mar 5, 2022·Twitter Web App

Twitter
Sal the Agorist
@SallyMayweather
(The following text is shown on an image.—ed.)
I Think…...
Therefore I AM CENSORED!
8:15 PM · May 21, 2022·Twitter for iPad