Skip to main content

Eight Values of Free Expression: Individual Self-Fulfillment

After becoming more familiar with the eight values of free expression, I felt a genuine connection with the value of individual self-fulfillment. It is strange to think about how our country and its people would function without the right to express themselves and be their own individual. It is a part of our nature to fulfill our hopes and desires. “In this way, self-fulfillment betokens a life well lived, a life that is deeply satisfying, fruitful, and worthwhile.” (Gewirth, Alan.) I believe that this is one of the most important values of free expression, because without it we would not hear opinions, provoking thoughts, or raise questions that make ourselves and others truly think. I have the ability to explain my ideas to you, because free speech and self-fulfillment allow me to.

Free speech grants us the capability to share our thoughts and beliefs with the world around us. Although, with the rise in use of social media platforms and online interfaces, people may feel less inclined to share their opinions, especially if they are speaking out against a group of firm believers in their vision. Forming a new opinion and straying against a group consensus is definitely not a comfortable call to action. I think that in our society today, it is becoming more difficult for individuals to represent themselves and their ideas in the way that they truly would like to.

On the other hand, I do think that there are people who prowl on internet sites and social media platforms with the sole intention to shoot down other people’s ideas and make them feel like their opinions have no value. This can be seen a lot on the platform of Twitter. Twitter is designed for users to share their thoughts in 280 characters or less. Celebrities, promoters, government officials, and thousands of everyday people use this app religiously. I find that Twitter is the easiest platforms to talk about your feelings and share your thoughts. With it being the easiest platform to do so, it comes along with a lot of fighting, hurt feelings, and confusion.

Overall, I find that one of the most important values of free expression is self-fulfillment. Humans are inclined to talk about how they feel and express their ideas to the world and those around them. As a matter of fact, we do this every day whether we recognize it or not. In my own opinion, keep sharing your beliefs and deliberations, as it is important to creating and being a happy and healthy, human.  

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7tbk6

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Technology Time Warp

For the past year or so, I have grown more resistant and less eager to scroll through the laundry list of different apps that haunt my phone. I am definitely more aware and conservative with my screen time. Whether I am feeling bored, looking for something to do, or trying to pass the time, my brain immediately thinks it would be a good idea to unlock my phone and fall into the rabbit hole of information. In general, it seems impossible to unlock your phone without becoming distracted by the numerous notifications that take over your home and lock screen. Screen time has become such a normal activity, that we do not even realize the daily toll it takes on our psychological well-being. In a research article published by the US National Library of Medicine , the association between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and young adults was examined. After collecting information from the parents of 44,734 children, researchers concluded that children who are high...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Snapchat Rival

New Snapchat Rival 'Octi' Wants You To Use Your iPhone To Scan Faces Since the birth of Snapchat in 2012, the way in which our world communicates has been changed forever. Snapchat has normalized and reinforced the idea that communication is nothing but a casual game, where you have the ability to hide behind your screen. If you’re feeling like you have had enough with all the filters and posts, don’t look now, but there is a new social media platform in town. The social media startup ‘Octi’ joined the app store just last week and already has phone faces going crazy. The Octi app prides itself on being the first people-powered social argumented reality platform. What separates Octi from other social media platforms, is there focus on wanting to give users control of their own digital profile. Currently, the company is concerned with creating a buzz about the new app and adding more users to the network. Eventually, Octi will work with third-party app developers who can b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Divergent Thinking

As we enter May, the current pandemic that we are fighting has started to become even more bizarre and surreal. Colleges and universities are closed and conducting online classes, curfews and lockdowns have been put into place and our favorite restaurants and stores are no longer safe. While we sit comfortable and safe at home, healthcare workers are continuing to battle this invisible opponent every day, on the front lines of the medical field. Although, this time is marked by closures and isolation, many stores and restaurants in local communities are finding ways to scaffold support for our nation’s essential workers. Through the use of technology, creativity, and kindness these supports are thriving. In my small town of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, folks in the community have been busy thinking outside the box on how we can be most helpful to essential workers. A local restaurant , "The Rising Sun Inn", has decided to give back to our essential workers and families in nee...
Post a Comment
Read more