Though the Constitution has been around since the late 1700s, probably the most important part of it was not truly embraced until the 1900s. It was then that the spread of information became more popular and widespread, thus giving more power to the first amendment of the Constitution. This created an environment in which the eight values of free expression could be practiced better and more frequently than they could before. The invention of things like the newspaper and radio made the spread of information grow exponentially. This helped support the integration of the eight values of free expression into American society, as more outlets for information allowed people to voice their opinions more easily, while reaching a much wider audience.
Things were progressing well in American culture. Televisions started becoming a staple in American households, and eventually phone lines became standard as well. With all of these new tools, people could spread ideas and discover new information far quicker and easier than ever before. This was all helping to get us closer to a country that was truly one of free speech and free flowing information. There was not only a greater spread of information, but also a wider range of perspectives being presented about different ideas. People could now have different opinions on the same topic, and this specifically supports the values of promoting tolerance and dissent. These new inventions and the greater spread of ideas made it easier for the people to keep their government in check as well. With media outlets giving constant updates to political campaigns and the current state of politics, people could make sure that the government was doing the right thing and keeping the best interests of the people as their priority. This helps to support the value of participation in self-government, and the value of being able to check on governmental power.
We were doing well as a nation, that was, until 9/11 came around. It's been 20 years since that devastating day. I don't remember the day myself, I was just two years old. I guess I should consider myself lucky for not having to go through the pain of watching that terrible day unfold. Though 9/11 had much more significance than just the event itself, as the destruction of the twin towers ended up changing American society forever. Since then, we as a nation have actually been getting farther away from upholding the eight values of free expression.
That day really instilled fear in the hearts of every American. We learned on that day that while we may be free, that does not mean that we are safe. At any point in time, another terror attack could be coming for us, and it's this realization of our reality that has led to the decline in our reverence of freedom. Since 2001, everything from the TSA to the FCC has cracked down on the freedoms of Americans. Most of these restrictions have been small, like having to take your shoes off when going through airport security, but these things add up. It's gotten to the point now where people have to walk through a metal detector at almost any decently sized gathering in the country. While many of these changes have led us to be a relatively safer society, they have come at the cost of freedom. Yes, the NSA may be able to help stop some potential terror attacks, but does that justify their ability to be able to tap into the personal online information of every American? Because of this, people online now have to watch what they say, in fear that the government might be watching over their every move. Sure, one can still say whatever they want whenever they want, but now there is a much greater fear of consequence for what people can say. This is something that is absolutely counter-intuitive to integrating the eight values of free expression into our society.
Many of these new changes are small, but they are restrictions none the less. The worst part? They keep piling up. More restrictions are being implemented, not retracted. The scary part is not what has happened, it's what's going to happen. If we keep piling up these restrictions and keep limiting people more and more, we're taking away their personal freedoms, many of which have to do with limiting the ability of people to express themselves. The question is, when does this all stop? Where is the limit to how much freedom can be taken away from the people? Right now, there is no answer to that question. I do hope there is one soon though, because this hole that we're digging is getting deeper and deeper and making it harder for us to integrate the eight values of free expression into our society.
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