We can choose not to speak if it’s too much trouble, like the short film you mentioned. Mute people don’t have the option of speaking. I understand where some stutterers are coming from when they say “I might rather be mute”. It’s easy to believe there would be less social stigma, but there isn’t. They face different social stigma. I know many people who are unable to speak, most of them are clients that I have worked with. Many of the clients are also physically disabled in other ways, and can’t actually rely on sign language or writing. Most people who can’t speak, typically have some motor difficulties. I know this is a support group for stuttering specifically, but sometimes I think many of us here forget that there are other people in a similar boat. I also see some really ableist statements on this sub, that probably aren’t intended to be. I struggle to get past that because we share a lot of the same hurt as others with communication disorders. Having few words, or rough/choppy speech, imo is better than none. Regardless, disorders of communication are not well understood.