Each of the eight speech theories which promote freedom of expression hold great significance to American citizens. Every one of the theories guarantees American's the right to speak and express their point of view without fear of being punished. These free speech promoting theories are part of what make America different than many other countries where citizens are forced to say what government rulers force them to.
Among the eight theories, I would personally say that the fourth theory, which is the Individual Self-Fulfillment theory, is currently the most important. The Individual Self-Fulfillment theory, "enables individuals to express themselves and thereby create their own identity-and, in the process perhaps, find kindred spirits. Freedom of speech thus becomes an aspect of human dignity, human agency and autonomy. This theory is important, because it allows people to freely express their point of views and beliefs even if they are not the popular ways of thinking in society. Doing this allows people to fully be themselves in their expression and thinking and to find other people they can share their opinions with. Even if the majority of people thinking someone is insane for thinking differently than them, this theory assures citizens that their human dignity will not be seen as less than or inferior to others whose beliefs are contradictory.
Right now, in America, we are living in a world of cancel culture where if someone says one thing that the media doesn't agree with they are maliciously shamed on Twitter and other platforms for their unpopular views. While the government doesn't punish people for saying something that could be seen as offensive or against what the media promotes, private companies such as Twitter will block users and delete their public tweets if they don't like what they're saying. This is a tough situation because Twitter is a private company, but tweeting and sending messages on other social media platforms is the most convenient way to express opinions to the public. When Twitter blocks users and deletes their posts, they are essentially silencing the person and not granting them the same right to freely express their opinions as other users are granted to. Cancel culture has started a movement where it is perfectly acceptable to mute people you don't agree with and attack their human dignity as if it depended on their opinion on certain issues.
The reason the Individual Self-Fulfillment theory is especially important right now is because we are living in a time where it is becoming acceptable to condemn and "cancel" people who are exercising their right to speak freely about their opinions. With so many controversial issues currently transpiring in the United States it is particularly important during this time to allow people with all different views to voice their opinions so that healthy conversation can occur and people can better understand what to think about these issues. If the Individual Self-Fulfillment theory was taken away then I think a lot of discrimination would happen among people with opposing viewpoints. I believe it's very important to continue allowing every citizen to express their views freely so that that can unashamedly convey who they are in their entirety and easily find other people who think similarly and will support them. If people aren't able to truly express how they feel and what they think, then a piece of their individuality and humanity is taken away and valuable dialogue among people of various viewpoints is lost.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/07/17/has-twitters-cancel-culture-gone-too-far/5445804002/
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