Blog #4

When looking at what value is the most important/resonates with me the most, it was hard to choose. I feel like different people and cultures may prioritize these values in contrasting ways, depending on their history and the challenges they faced. For example, in a society with a history of government censorship, the value of protecting dissent is most likely going to be the most important. Or in a society that is struggling with a lot of tension and conflict, I feel like the value of promoting tolerance may be more fitting. In my opinion, they are all the most important for each people in their own individual ways.

A Value that we see in action today is the Market place of ideas. More specifically the internet has become an important tool when it comes to creating a virtual Marketplace of Ideas. It does this by allowing people from all over the world to engage in discussions and debates on various topics. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit a
llow people to share their views, opinions, and experiences on a wide range of issues and events.

The internet has also created new opportunities for citizen journalism. People can use social media to report news and events that are not covered by mainstream media, share their experiences of political repression, and organize social movements.

Nonetheless, the internet also presents some objections to the idea of the "Marketplace of Ideas." Social media algorithms have the ability to create online communities, social media feeds, or even real-life social circles, where people only see information that confirms their existing beliefs and or biases. This leads to the spread of misinformation. Also, online harassment, hate speech, and other forms of internet abuse can silence voices and discourage people from participating in open and honest dialogue. This makes it vital to create environments where people feel comfortable with expressing their opinions.

Next, this brings us to how the value “Check on Governmental Power” can help explain something in the real world. Social media has provided a platform for people and organizations to hold governments and public officials accountable. For example, in recent years, social media has played an important role in exposing forms of abuse of power by law enforcement agencies. Social media has allowed individuals to document incidents of police misconduct, share experiences, and organize movements to demand change.

Social media has also created the spread of information that is not covered by mainstream media, allowing people to learn about government policies and actions that may otherwise go unnoticed. For example, social media has played a crucial role in exposing government surveillance programs, corruption, and other abuses of power.

Yet, social media does present some challenges to the value of "Check on Governmental Power." Social media companies like Facebook have significant power over the flow of information and have faced controversy in the past for how they handled content that may be harmful or misleading. Furthermore, governments around the world such as China, have sought to control social media and limit the free expression of their citizens, presenting a big challenge to this value. So, it's important to recognize the role social media plays in promoting accountability, as well as to make sure it remains a space for free expression.

Citations:

Board, T. E. (2022, March 18). America has a free speech problem. The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/opinion/cancel-culture-free-speech-poll.html

Dunn, B. (2019, February 20). The illusion of a "marketplace of ideas" and the right to truth. American Affairs Journal. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2019/02/the-illusion-of-a-marketplace-of-ideas-and-the-right-to-truth/

Khosla, R., & McCoy, D. (2022, December). Dissent and the right to protest in context of Global Health. BMJ global health. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9805999/

Libraries, U. C. I. (n.d.). The War Within: Dissent during crisis in America. UCI Libraries - War Within: Dissent During Crisis in America. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.lib.uci.edu/sites/all/exhibits/warwithin/index.php

Weisberg, J. (2022, May 23). The autocracy app: Jacob Weisberg. The New York Review of Books. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2018/10/25/facebook-autocracy-app/