Values of Free Expression

Freedom of speech and expression are a cornerstone of our democracy and play a fundamental role in shaping the morals and ideals that our country is built upon. It ensures that people have the right to freely articulate their views and opinions without fear of retribution or censorship. It allows for the free exchange of diverse ideas, cultures, and beliefs between people. Free speech is necessary for holding leaders accountable and advocating for change and progress. It also empowers citizens to speak out against justice, call for reform, and share their lived experiences with others who see the world differently. Overall, free speech is imperative for a strong, connected democracy. 

This concept has been a major topic of discussion as the country continues to grapple with what it means to be able to freely express yourself. People struggle to agree on what people should(n't) be able to say, the role of government in censorship and media, how to protect minority voices, and the interpretation of the First Amendment. 

The eight values of free expression are often used to explain why free speech and expression are important in a democracy, drawing legal and political concepts. The eight values of free expression are as follows: 

1. Marketplace of ideas

2. Participating in Self-government

3.  Stable Change

4. Individual Self-Fulfillment

5. Check on Governmental Power

6. Promote Tolerance

7. Promote Innovation

8. Protect Dissent

Protect Dissent

In my opinion, one of the most important values of free expression is protecting dissent. Protecting dissent means safeguarding the expression of those who hold values and/or opinions and beliefs that are contrary to those of the majority. I believe that this is especially important in a country like the United States, where so much of our legal and societal decision-making is led by the "majority." Although we typically regard this system as a good thing, we cannot always trust that the majority will always make the best choices or that they will consider the needs of the minority. This is why people need to be able to speak out against poor decisions because otherwise, they go unchecked. Additionally, dissent means that people in power are held accountable. If people cannot speak out against the government, we risk losing democracy and slipping into authoritarianism. Lastly, protecting dissent builds a more resilient and tolerant society that is not afraid of or opposed to disagreements and debates.

A historical example of dissent leading to positive change is Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. King consistently challenged the status quo, criticizing unfair and unjust laws. His marches, speeches, and constant speaking out against the government's treatment of black and brown people led to monumental changes in terms of equality and civil rights. If King were afraid to share his opinion because not everyone agreed, we might not have had the significant reform that we have.

Marketplace of Ideas

The concept of a Marketplace of Ideas was started by English philosopher John Milton. It argues that we should allow all ideas and opinions, good or bad, to be freely expressed because only the best will prevail in society. Although this concept seems logical and fair, what happens when the people who are supposed to be the most educated and influential are the ones making false statements? During a debate amid the 2024 presidential election, then-former President Trump said that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating the pets of the people who lived there. Although many dismissed the statement as false, some believed his assertions fueled feelings of fear and anger toward immigrants. Does the Marketplace of Ideas reach officials like Trump, or should they be held to a higher standard of truthfulness and professionalism? Should we be concerned?

The Marketplace of Ideas also plays a pivotal role in the ongoing conversation about censorship, both online and in print media. Take the extensive (and growing) list of banned books, for example. Is it acceptable for the government to choose which voices and opinions are the "right" ones for us to read about? This is also the source of debates surrounding social media. Meta recently removed fact-checking from Facebook and Instagram. Many disagree on whether this is the best step to protect free speech and the pooling of ideas and opinions or if this is just opening up a path for more dangerous misinformation to be spread online. 

As we continue to navigate this evolving world of free speech in a digital age, we must continue to protect dissent, demand the truth, and make sure that every voice, regardless of how unpopular or small it may be, has a place in our society. 

EOTO: The Typewriter

We've all experienced it: the old-fashioned professor who believes that technology is the enemy and insists on hand-writing everything. You sit to write your first assignment and about halfway through, you experience what no college student in the 21st century should have to endure... a serious hand cramp. It is at this point that you make an appointment with your academic advisor to drop the class as soon as possible.

Most students do not have to go through this grueling experience thanks to modern technology, and more specifically, the computer. Before the computer and digital documents, though, there was the typewriter, a writing machine that revolutionized writing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

The History of the Typewriter: Who created it and why?

Several inventors experimented with creating writing machines before the modern typewriter came into existence. Some of the most notable inventors are Henry Mill, Giuseppe Pellegrino Turri, William Austin Burt, and Charles Thurber. 

Henry Mill

Inventor Henry Mill patented a writing device in 1714, which is largely regarded as one of the first typewriters. However, no surviving physical models, documents, or details about Mill's device exist. 

Giuseppe Pellegrino Turri

Giuseppe Turri, an Italian inventor, is said to have also created one of the earliest typewriters so that his lover, who had gone blind, could write on her own. He is also the inventor of carbon paper, which he created to supply his machine with ink. 

William Austin Burt

William Austin Burt also created and patented a typewriter in hopes of speeding up the writing process. The machine utilized a rotating lever to release ink onto paper. However, the machine was extremely slow and therefore, was not commercially successful. 

Charles Thurber

Aiming to aid the nervous and blind, Charles Thurber invented the closest machine to the modern typewriter. His machine featured a circular keyboard and paper on a wheel that turned. Although his creation contained many of the same elements of a modern typewriter, it was rather slow and bulky and was never commercially manufactured. 

Christopher Latham Sholes

Many inventors attempted to make early versions of the typewriters that didn't quite come to life. They were either too bulky, inconvenient, slow, or did not perform well commercially. This is why American inventor Christopher Latham Sholes gets most of the credit for the typewriter. He created the first writing machine that worked, sold, and changed the way people wrote. Before the Sholes' invention, everything from letters to newspapers was being written by hand, and there was a need for a faster, more efficient way to write things.

Sholes was inspired to create the typewriter in 1867 after reading an article talking about a new machine invented by the British. He patented his model in 1868 and over five years, made several improvements to it before signing a contract with E. Remington and Sons in 1873 and placing the invention on the market a year later. 

 Soon after its release, Sholes' typewriter was renamed the Remington. It featured a QWERTY keyboard layout (still standard on English keyboards today) and manual carriage return. Additionally, the first model could only type uppercase letters, but this was later changed with the second model when shift functionality was switched. 

Mark Twain purchased a Remington and wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, becoming the first author to ever publish a manuscript written using a typewriter.

The Impact

The typewriter had numerous impactful effects on communication and media. First, it increased efficiency in writing since writers could type documents and media much faster than they could hand write them. It also helped increase standardization and legibility across written communication. Unlike handwritten documents which vary in neatness, readability, and style, typewritten work produces uniform characters and spaces. Additionally, the typewriter completely reshaped the role of women in the workplace. It created roles such as secretary and typist, positions that women were able to easily step into. It also gave women a sense of independence, encouraging them to open their own businesses and schools. However, this also reinforced gendered labor roles and led to women being hypersexualized and stereotyped in the workplace.

Despite its shortcomings, the typewriter produced more positive than negative impacts on media and the workforce. In fact, the typewriter was so revolutionary that every year, on June 23rd, people celebrate National Typewriter Day

The Supreme Court

Composed of nine justices with lifetime appointments, the Supreme Court is not just a final destination in the legal system but the driving force behind many changes in American life. Whether they are ending segregation or overturning past decisions, their rulings can completely reshape American life and cause long-lasting impact. If you are not paying attention to the Supreme Court, you are disregarding the one part of the American government that does not need to campaign to impact your future. 

The Court receives thousands of petitions each year but only hears roughly 100-150 cases and can pick which cases they review.  The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial body, whose power is outlined in the US Constitution. The Court is tasked with protecting liberties and rights, as well as ensuring that all of the other branches of government adhere to the values and power limitations set forth by the framers. That being said, the Court's legitimacy stems from the endowed to them by the citizens of the country. 

What I learned about the SCOTUS

Before watching the video about the Supreme Court, I knew baseline information about their role and responsibilities. However, I gained much more knowledge about how the Court carries out those responsibilities. For example, I was surprised to learn that each justice reads and decides cases completely on their own before they make their overall ruling. Before learning more, I had assumed that the justices only decided after conversing and debating with one another. Additionally, I was both shocked and elated to learn that despite the vast number of petitions it receives, the Court carefully considers each petition individually, regardless of who it is sent in by.

The most important aspect of the Supreme Court

One of the most important components of the Supreme Court is the impartiality of the justices. Despite being appointed to the Court by the president, justices are supposed to be non-partisan and apolitical. This is to prevent partisan bias from affecting their rulings. However, I question whether anyone can truly be completely impartial. With the constant presence of media and political content in our lives, it's nearly impossible to avoid forming opinions that lean either liberal or conservative. Additionally, if justices are apolitical, how does a president, a political actor, choose who they want on the Court? I would assume that they would want to choose someone who sees the world the same way that they do. This raises the question of whether or not a system created by political actors can produce apolitical justices. 

My takeaways 

Learning more about the Supreme Court has made me realize how powerful and, most importantly, how complex the Court is. The Court can make decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, that completely restructure and reshape the way that Americans live and interact with one another. I also now have a deeper understanding of how the SCOTUS reaches its decisions and the work and time that goes into each ruling. Lastly, I acknowledge the complexity, difficulty, and importance of impartiality within the Court. Citizens need to stay engaged with the Court, especially in the coming years, no matter how small, indirect, or invisible the decision may seem. 

My Top 5 Go-To News Sources

Staying informed in today's world requires reliable and diverse news sources. From national publications like the New York Times to smaller, local papers like the Richmond Times Dispatch, I rely on a mix of diverse news media. Each serves a different purpose and, together, provides me with a well-rounded understanding of politics, society, and the world. 

New York Times 

I have been reading the New York Times for as long as I can remember. It remains one of my primary sources for news on politics, environmental issues, and opinion pieces. I greatly appreciate the New York Times' commitment to high-quality journalism. While the publication holds a slightly left-leaning perspective, its reporting is generally objective, especially concerning non-political issues. Additionally, I rely on the New York Times for any school-related research due to its wide and in-depth coverage.

One aspect of the New York Times that I wish was different is their subscription model. I would appreciate being able to read more free articles every month before reaching a paywall. Currently, free subscribers can only read up to five free articles before being prompted to subscribe, which limits my ability to use this source as frequently as I would like to.

Pew Research Center

Pew Research Center is a valuable source for all of my academic research. The Pew Research Center's non-partisan ideology ensures that none of the information provided is politically biased. Additionally, all of the center's publications are based on research and pure data. The publication is also transparent in its methodology regarding how it produces its findings. This makes it a useful source for my own research paper, as I can count on it for reliable data and statistics. 

Beyond its objectivity and validity, The Pew Research Center also covers a wide variety of topics. From politics to religion to gender and the economy, it proves to be a credible source for any kind of research. 

The Washington Post

The Washington Post is another news source that I regularly consult. While it is more left-leaning than the other two sources, it proves to be a reliable and reputable publication. I use The Washington Post most often to stay informed on politics as the newspaper provides in-depth investigations and coverage of politics and government affairs, which is important to me. 

    

Additionally, The Washington Post adheres to an admirably high standard of journalism, ensuring their information is fact-checked and accurate. While their writing choices reflect a left political leaning, I can trust that I am receiving factually correct information when using the Post. 

Richmond Times Dispatch

 I rely on the Richmond Times Dispatch to find in-depth coverage of news specific to Richmond, Virginia, my home city. Established in 1850, The Richmond Times Dispatch is a long-standing newspaper that is available both physically and digitally. This makes the paper both credible and easily accessible. 

Politically, the newspaper leans more conservative, differentiating it from most of the news sources I usually consume daily. However, it provides coverage across a wide variety of topics, including sports, business, crime, and education. Additionally, it also aims to provide balanced coverage, including editorials and opinion pieces that showcase different perspectives on local and national issues.

ABC 8 News

ABC 8 News is my family's go-to news channel that our living room television is turned to. The Channel provides timely updates on news, weather, and events with a focus on Richmond and Central Virginia. However, it also covers nationwide and international news while maintaining a local perspective. 

Of the five sources I use, ABC 8 News is my least utilized. This is mostly because I do not spend much time watching cable television. Additionally, I typically get the majority of my news digitally, which aligns with my daily habits. Regardless, I enjoy watching the news occasionally as it covers local news that I may not get from more nationwide news sources.