Speech Theories

Reflection

Above all of the eight values of free speech, the theme that resonates the most throughout all of them is the fact that no matter what type of free speech is said, good or bad, society can learn from all types of speech and decipher whether to censor it or not. Individual self-fulfillment is one that stands out to me because of the identity aspect. In the United States of America the right to self identify is important because it allows for not only a diversity of identities to be recognized, but a diversity of viewpoints. When you have a diverse group of people in a group or setting that are trying to achieve a common goal, people's different backgrounds can make it so that the goal that is trying to be achieved doesn't discriminate. When legislators come for certain demographics, not only does it limit specific rights, but it also indirectly limits people's right to identity because it puts a stigma on them. They can still identity with their demographics, but when the government starts to make it seem like they deserve less rights than their majority demographic counter parts, it limits their identity. One contemporary example is how state legislators across the country are limiting the ability for transgender youth to play sports. It makes it seem like because they do not identity with the majority of youth who do play sports they are less than and don't deserve to play sports at all without the government finding alternatives for them. This notion by the legislators make it seem like they aren't willing to adapt and progress on an issue that won't even affect many of their constituents.

Diversity is Good for Business

Theories in the Real World

This year we saw an attack on our nation's capitol by supporters of former president Trump, because they wanted to change the outcome of the election that he lost. We know that they were able to vent on social media platforms, specifically ones like Parlor, that were taken over by conservatives and supporters of former president Trump. The theory of stable change relates to this idea that people were upset about the outcome of the election and wanted to overturn the results. Before the mobsters raided the capitol building they were allowed to vent and express their anger on social media, so it's ironic how the theory of stable change states that people who have access to outlets to vent their concerns are less likely to be violent, but in the case of the terrorists who stormed the capitol they had access to vent their concerns through social media, and still resorted to violence. The theory also states that the government should allow this type of behavior to speak freely so that they can monitor them for any potential planned violence. But the government cannot monitor people when the private companies that control the apps that they frequent, censor theme. Apps like Parlor are claiming that they are censoring their Trump supporting users to prevent the risk of them spreading dangerous misinformation and ideas, but it is arguable that apps like Parlor are better off leaving their platforms up and running so terrorist aren't planning their violence in the dark. If apps like Parlor were very interested in public safety and allowing free speech with limits for safety then they would start up again and allow everyone to use their app.