I think you are confusing freedom of thought with freedom of expression (of thought), a.k.a. freedom of speech. People were always free to think whatever they want, because rules about thoughts are unenforceable (until we invent mind-reading).
And you are free to do that, because mind-reading still isn’t invented, and any rules about thoughts are still unenforceable. And I hope it stays that way! You can’t make yourself not think of something. At least, I can’t. I suffer from intrusive thoughts, and they just pop up from nowhere. I can (and do) try not to dwell on them, think of something else, go do something else, and they pass; but I can’t prevent myself from thinking them in the first place, however much I wish I could.
I think you are confusing freedom of thought with freedom of expression (of thought), a.k.a. freedom of speech. People were always free to think whatever they want, because rules about thoughts are unenforceable (until we invent mind-reading).
You can simulate another entity through nothing but thought, with no expression.
And you are free to do that, because mind-reading still isn’t invented, and any rules about thoughts are still unenforceable. And I hope it stays that way! You can’t make yourself not think of something. At least, I can’t. I suffer from intrusive thoughts, and they just pop up from nowhere. I can (and do) try not to dwell on them, think of something else, go do something else, and they pass; but I can’t prevent myself from thinking them in the first place, however much I wish I could.