8 Values of Free Expression

After reading the 8 values of free expression, I would say that the Individual Self-Fulfillment theory is the most important. It suggests that freedom of speech allows you to find your own identity and therefore find like-minded people. Through social media, I believe this is how most people figure out who they are.

Those that play video games will likely have the same beliefs as those they talk to on said video games. Personally, I love student government. A lot of friends I've met through student government share the same beliefs as me, and we can ping pong ideas off one another.

I do not believe that the Protect Dissent theory is as significant in today's society as it once was. Today, if you have a view that is not the majority, or that the majority thinks is ridiculous, you will be ridiculed. No, you will not be arrested, because you are allowed to say what you want under the first amendment. However, most people that do not agree with the majority, will simply not speak due to fear of the consequences.

I agree with the Stable Change Theory. I believe that if Americans aren't able to say what they want to say, they will simply have pent up anger. It's similar to not expressing your feelings: eventually you'll have a breakdown. It's not fair to tell people what they can and can't say. Though people are allowed to say what they want to say, there is still violence.

The Stable Change Theory suggests that because Americans can say what they want to say, they won't resort to violence, but that isn't true. This can be seen from the events on January 6th as well as many other protests that have ended in violence.

A lot of these theories have double meanings because of social media. Participation in Self-Government says that candidates need the right to free speech so citizens can make informed decisions. Years ago, citizens got their information from the news and live streams. However, now, candidates may also use social media to reach their younger delegates. Young people tend not to watch the news and instead get their information from TikTok or Instagram. The only way for candidates to reach those people is by also using TikTok and Instagram. The theory means the same thing, but is used in different ways.

  

The Individual Self-Fulfillment theory is another theory with a double meaning because of social media. A lot of individuals may find people with similar beliefs to them through online chat rooms or websites like Discord. However, members of a church could also be walking around trying to recruit people. Someone may be take a flyer and realize that that church has similar beliefs to them.

The Check on Government Power theory may also utilize social media. The theory suggest that citizens use ballot boxes to criticize the government, however, nowadays, you could reach a much larger audience through different types of social medias.

Additionally, I would like to state that these theories only work if the government follows the protections outlined under the first amendment. As discussed in class, Dr. Bhattacharya was silenced by the Biden administration during Covid, which is illegal under the first amendment. We also discussed Mahmoud Khalil who was arrested, not allowed to speak privately with his lawyers, and is supposed to be deported even though he has not received due process, nor did he do anything illegal. Khalil's actions were all protected under the first amendment.