You think tyrannical regimes only persecute dissidents? They persecute regular people all the time for any or no reason. How many people died in communist China or Stalinist Russia? All dissidents?
The truth is free speech is fatal to autocratic regimes which is why they ban it. The *only* defense is to speak up. Yes, if you go first you might increase your risk. But if no one goes first, everyone is doomed.
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Tyrannical regimes pick their battles.
If you're outwardly compliant, useful and unexceptional, chances are you will live a long life.
We need to pick our battles, too.
Tyrannical regimes don't die at the touch of truth and free speech. They die when regime security forces stand aside and let a mob storm Dear Leader's palace.
That requires a lot of speech. Over a long period of time. Anonymous speech is best speech.