blog 3: 8 Values of Free expression

One of the most fundamental liberties that Americans have is the freedom to express themselves. It allows us to express our ideas, share opinions, and connect with others. The eight theories about why freedom is important help us comprehend how it affects our country and our lives. The following two theories speak to me the most: Individual Self-Fulfillment and the Market for Ideas.

Individual self-fulfillment is the first one that speaks to me. This idea highlights the importance of being yourself and using your right to freedom of speech. Social media is a perfect example of this. People use Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to express their experiences and ideas. For example, Alix Earle, a popular influencer, uses her platforms to openly discuss her difficulties with acne, plastic surgery, and confidence. This inspires many others to do the same and share their stories as well. 

I hate to say it, but social media is an important part of my life. Whether I'm posting photos of my dog Mazy, taking pictures of me and my friends out, or posting on my private Snapchat story. These small acts of expressiveness allow me to connect with others as well as see what people are up to or what's going on around the world. These little acts of sharing show how freedom of expression can help us grow and feel more confident. For me, it’s not just about all the political issues, it’s about the small, everyday things that let me be myself.

Another theory I resonate with is The Marketplace of Ideas: This theory says that the best ideas will rise to the top when people are free to share different opinions. Even though this idea was written about over 100 years ago, it still matters today. Social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram are filled with people who share opinions, debate ideas, and argue with each other. Movements like #MeToo or #BlackLivesMatter started because people could tell their stories and speak up about issues that were being ignored. 

This goes to show how powerful it is when people are free to express their opinions. However, the Marketplace of Ideas isn’t always perfect. Sometimes false information spreads just as quickly as the truth, which makes it hard for people to know what to believe. Misinformation travels fast online, and it can be hard to tell what’s true. This reminds us that freedom of expression comes with a responsibility. We need to think carefully about what we share and make sure we’re not spreading harmful or untrue information.

Freedom of expression is more than just a law, it's part of what makes us who we are. The eight theories about why this freedom matters help us understand it better, but they also challenge us to use it responsibly. Whether it’s through a TikTok post, a class discussion, or a personal story, we all play a role in keeping freedom of expression alive. It’s a big part of what makes life meaningful and our society stronger.

Supreme Court

I learned from the video that the supreme court receives hundreds of cases each week, and seven thousand cases a year which is not as many as I thought they would take. Before watching the video I assumed that there would be a lot more cases that got to the supreme court. In the video I learned that the supreme court only takes very few of the cases that they are sent. Written arguments trying to persuade the court are rarely taken, only around one hundred a year go through. 

Although each justice is supported by staff members they are each individually responsible for deciding each case. The justices have assistants and secretaries but are solely responsible for reviewing the cases and deciding the facts themselves. Each justice is also responsible to have a formally written opinion on each case which is the most time consuming part of the job. One of the justices on the majority side writes an opinion on the case which binds all other courts which decides future cases. Any justice can also write a separate opinion either agreeing or disagreeing. 

The opinion draft is sent to all nine justices to try to persuade them to switch sides if needed. This process helps the Supreme Court work together to make fair and unified decisions. One important thing to know about the Supreme Court is that they make sure everyone follows the Constitution, which is the foundation of our country’s laws and freedoms.

Based on their knowledge of the law, the justices already have some ideas on the case before it comes to trial. But the discussion and debate process allows people to consider their choices more thoroughly. If people stopped listening to the constitution we wouldn't be free anymore. The Supreme Court protects us by ensuring that everyone follows the law and maintains justice, despite what some people may believe. The Supreme Court's role in monitoring the nation and upholding the Constitution is very important and has helped more than hurt us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piN6uMrXzMM&t=194s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfl2NBfvff4&t=32s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvayjZizPEo

Top 5 Sources

 1.     New york times 

New York Times is my go to for current events, they cover polotics, science, culture, etc.  The articles go deep and provide a lot of context that make complicated stories easier to comprehend.  The New York Times also covers both United States and international News.  

2. Family and friends

This is a common concept, but a lot of the opinions and insights I get about current events, polotics, etc are from my family and friends. My parents especially, keep me up tp dare about any changes or events back home, while I am away at school.  Talking to my friends allows me to hear different prespectives on big events and polotics as well as expanding my knoweledge about something I may have not known or thought of before. 

3. MSNBC

MSNBC is another good news sourse because it has experienced journalists and hosts. They explain stories in depth and break down complicated stories. It also has very strong polotical coverage making it a  very relavant news source for the upcoming election.  overall it covers very important world events.

4. Instagram

Instagram is something that I find myself on a lot.  I often scroll past current events, stories, trends, etc from all over the world.  Instgram provides quick visual updates through stories and posts. Although it may not always be true it brings attention to the subject and then I can further my research or fact check it.  It is always an easy way to connect with other people and get quick information. 

5. Tik Tok 

This may be conterversial but TikTok is one of those apps that I find myself scrolling on for hours. I know it's not the best use of my time but I definitely pass by a lot of political interviews,  News stories,  Influencers sharing their opinions etc.  It provides quick content on almost any topic, however it can be very unreliable because anyone can post anything so I always have to fact check