If Freedom of Speech is a Pressure Valve, Why Are We Rewarding Rage Over Reason—Are Algorithms the New Censors?

Is freedom of speech still functioning as a pressure valve?

Freedom of speech has long been considered society’s “pressure valve”—a way for citizens to express frustration, debate ideas, and prevent tensions from boiling over. In the United States, free speech enables civic engagement, activism, and critical discourse.

Yet in practice, this valve is increasingly distorted. Social media platfor...