Review of Political Blogs

When evaluating a blog, consider:

-       Aesthetics: does it look nice? Does it appear professionally done? Does it look like it’s selling something? What colors, fonts, layout are used? Why?

-       Potential bias: this could be made clear through the content itself, but also more subtly, as in advertising featured on the page. Where else do you bias?

-       Level of professionalism?

-       Smart, well-informed?

-       Credible?

-       Purpose?

-       Audience?

-       Tone?

Free Marketplace of Ideas

Consider all you read about the concept of the Free Marketplace of Ideas, including the quotes by Thomas Jefferson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and John Milton. Imagine a current situation – it can be political, global, personal, etc. – that involves some version of the conflict between free speech and censorship, and put the Free Marketplace of Ideas to the test. Without some outside intervention or regulation, do the best ideas rise to the surface? Are the weakest ideas eliminated by those participating in the discussion? Does external interference somehow diminish the exchange of ideas? Why or why not? Write one page of reflection and post to the class blog. 

You can also use the following questions from class as guidelines:
1. What would a free marketplace of ideas look like in this case?
2. What would be the end result with or without a freemarketplace of ideas. 
3. Is the free marketplace of ideas a practical or realistic model for success in this case? ("Success" may mean a safe and open sharing of ideas and information.)

*Do not feel the need to answer ALL of the above questions; just use them as a guide.