Blog #3 Reflecting on Speech Theories

In learning about the importance of the first amendment, we must also consider the Eight Values of Free Expression, and how they might apply to issues of free expression today. 

The first theory outlined is "Marketplace of Ideas." Originally proposed by John Milton, this is essentially the idea that "when truth and falsehood are allowed to freely grapple", truth will win, and that truth will be made stronger. I see this as being true just from my own experience of having to defend a certain idea. If I am able to do it well, then someone will be convinced that what I am saying is factual, and therefore I also become more sure in what I think to be true because I have meaningful support, whereas a false claim will not have strong support. 

The second concept is "Participation in Self-Government." It has always been important that we as citizens have a role to play in electing members of our governing body. We have a right to participate in these procedures so that those elected represent the values and goals of the public that is doing the electing. This theory suggests that officials should be allowed to freely communicate with the public and help them be sufficiently informed. 

The third theory outlined is "Stable Change." I really like this theory because it suggests that venting, or "ranting" as we might call it more frequently nowadays, is actually good and healthy for maintaining the peace. The public should be allowed to express their complaints to feel heard and more "stable", and in turn, the government is able to monitor such groups that speak out and address them as it becomes necessary. I think this is especially prevalent in the world of technology, since we can express our dislike for things instantly and constantly. If threats are made against a figure, like the President, on social media, the government and authorities can address that in a timely manner and prevent a possibly harmful situation. It is also worth noting the regulations that exist for public and private social media platforms, and how they might impact the possible "venting" that can take place on these networks. 

The fourth idea is "Individual Self-Fulfillment." This aspect of free expression allows us to create an identity for ourselves, and gives us a sense of autonomy separate from those that govern us. It's important that citizens feel they have control over their lives, even in the presence of rules and regulations, so that they don't perceive the government as tyrannical or abusive. 

The fifth concept is "Check on Governmental Power." Our system of checks and balances is crucial when it comes to the branches of government. No one branch should have more power than another, or abuse its power. Checks and balances ensure that fairness is maintained and justice remains a priority. Checks and Balances were established as part of the court case, US v. Alvarez. 

The sixth idea is "Promote Tolerance." This theory suggests that the protection of hate speech under the first amendment is valuable in establishing norms of acceptable behavior in that we deem this speech "wrong" in our society, though it remains legal. Additionally, it helps us build a tolerance of others in other aspects of life. 

The seventh concept is "Promote Innovation." Free speech is essential in effective collaboration and meshing of ideas. We should absolutely be allowed to freely express our ideas, interests, and passions which will make us a more engaged and diverse society. I think this also ties into the idea of censorship in that if innovative technology, like AI, began to pose a threat to the government and its power, there could be efforts made to prevent such collaboration of knowledge, and therefore they would be actively infringing on this right. 

The eighth, and final, theory is "Protect Dissent." We have a right to criticize the government- and we should! We can disagree, and make our opinions known. This is especially important in protecting minority views, and those that are unpopular. I think an obvious example of this would be in protesting for change. Even smaller, niche topics, any group holding signs and yelling things will draw attention, and sometimes the attention is enough to spark really change and make an impact. 

BLOG #2 Supreme Court

After watching PART I and PART 2 of the supreme court videos, I am fascinated by the long history of the Supreme Court and how a document established centuries ago can still be applied to problems of today. Our world changes so rapidly, day by day, but somehow the Constitution remains the foundational document that guides our judicial system. I knew about the structure and number of justices from my time in AP Government & Politics, and I remember talking about the controversy of their term length. While other figures have limits to the time in which they are allowed to serve, Supreme Court justices may hold their title for as long as they choose (and are seen as fit to do so.) Another issue that arises is that the general public have no say in who becomes a justice, but I am not concerned with that topic as much because I believe the Senate does its due diligence in their confirmation process. 

I was also surprised to learn that the justices receive more than 7,000 cases a year, but only accept 100 for full consideration. It was interesting to hear about how unique of an experience it is speaking before a panel of nine judges, and to learn about the opinion writing process. I personally would feel exhausted having to draft and re-draft the same document over and over for months on end. I just simply can't stick with one topic for that long of a period of time. I also like the emphasis on the individuality of each judge, but that they are ultimately working towards a common goal- upholding the Constitution. I'm sure they have a special camaraderie and culture within their group, but are able to separate the personal aspect from their work. 

As for my most important take away from these videos, I was interested in the idea that today we just sort of accept the power of the Court, but that it wasn't always that way. Under John Marshall, the Court earned the respect of the public through its ability to fairly make decisions based on the Constitution, but then slavery and abolition conversations harmed the trust that had been built, and now we are back to a place of operating on good faith that the justices will be righteous in their decisions. Just another example of how, even as our world changes, the policies and structures outlined in our foundational document, the Constitution, can still be interpreted to influence our society as it is today. 

BLOG #1 Top 5 Sources of News and Info

 I do not consider myself the most informed person when it comes to news outlets. Typically, I hear something by word of mouth, or through social media, and then further investigate it through what I believe to be reputable sources. My top sources of news are: 

1. TikTok

By far, the source I most frequently look to for news is the TikTok app. With the use of short form videos, I feel like I am getting the most relevant information as quickly as it becomes available. There are also creators that will "do the research so you don't have to" by providing short summaries of major news events, usually citing popular outlets for the information they are sharing in the video. While you shouldn't trust everything you see and hear on TikTok, it is a good starting point for receiving the latest information and being able to fact-check on your own. 

2. Family & Friends

While I do like to form my own opinions, it is nice to gather ideas and information from those around me from time to time to perhaps hear a different perspective that can inform my own. I view my parents as older and wiser sources of information, and they often guide me in which news sources are biased, unbiased, or provide context for situations that maybe my age would make me ignorant to- sometimes this works both ways! With the gap between our generations, my perspective and that of my parents are very different, and it's interesting to see how that impacts our perception of news media. As for my friends, most of us have similar views but may have seen additional information about an event or situation that we then share with each other, making us all more informed. I think it's always great to have people in you rlife that share your beliefs and others that challenge them.

3. Apple News

I used to overlook those not so occasional alerts from Apple News about whatever major event was going on in the world. As often as they pop-up, I typically just clear the notification and go on about my day. However, in the midst of election season, I have found myself actually reading those alerts and following them to the articles being highlighted to read more about the topic. With how accessible it is, Apple News is a quick and easy way to stay informed about recent news all from the comfort of your own phone. 

4. NPR- National Public Radio

NPR was a source I found while doing research for a class in a previous semester. This source provides information on a variety of topics, and I especially like the selection of podcasts. Whether you are looking for news in Politics, Science, Health, or Business etc., they have articles that will benefit your search. There is plenty of unbiased content that is reputable and able to be cited in academic work as well. In addition to typical news, other perks of this source are subsections of culture and music, along with podcasts and shows. 

5. New York Times

While I do enjoy my daily wordle or occasional crossword, I also look somewhat frequently to the New York Times publications for news. Growing up, I think this was a source I could recognize by name due to its popularity, before I was necessarily interested in news. I remember a specific conversation I had with my dad on the way to school years ago, about what I had heard regarding some local news story, and I said, "No dad, I'm 13, I don't watch the news." Well, now I'm no longer 15 years old, and I'm still not all that great at watching the news, but I try. I realize that the NYT has some biased content, but as a consumer I take it as my responsibility to look for the facts, and form my opinion regardless of the bias present.