The Invention and Impact of the Printing Press

 Every implementation of a new technology changes the course of history forever. As cultures accept innovation, the solutions that are implemented completely rewrite the daily lives of everyone in that society. With this in mind, we can observe the drastic impact that the printing press had in history and today.

In 1440’s Germany, Johannes Gutenberg used a screw press complemented by other features to assemble the first printing press. The first rendition allowed for any assortment of letters and symbols due to its basis on matrices. 

This design produced by Gutenberg was not the first stab at print, as there had already been woodblock printing as designed by Eastern Asian civilizations. However, woodblock print was not efficient in time or volume. 

The Gutenberg press resolves these issues, as it could mass produce books due to its mechanized nature. With its debut, the Gutenberg printing press created a 42-line bible, meaning each page had 42 lines of content. This revolutionized technology at the time, yet was not immediately accepted as so.

Society was used to manuscripts, where writing was done by hand. As manuscripts were socially acceptable, it moved the authors into the upper class. As such, the upper class rejected the printing press, moving it into the hands of the lower class. The lower class had a different perspective than the upper class, seeing the printing press as a great way to mass produce writing. As the lower class was large in size, this would be beneficial for all of them, as books would be more accessible. This demand for mass printing by the lower class was due to the creation of the printing press. 

By learning about the history of the printing press, we can observe how it had a massive impact on the world today. The implementation of a mass printing device has become integral in the literary world. Today, books are distributed fast and in mass. 

This growth in printing inspires a larger pool of readers, as it is easier to collect works. There is a greater amount of copies of writings, with an ample supply for the demand in question. So, an individual can collect a diverse portfolio of books or pieces, expanding their knowledge and basis for intellectual growth. Similarly, with more readers, there became more writers. The ease of mass distribution allows for an author to spread their message on a scale larger than ever before.

A unique finding from the printing press was the lack of evidence for macroeconomic growth due to its creation. There is no proof that the printing press shifted economic growth in any way, as read about here. However, at a closer look, one can conclude that the printing press influenced growth in humanities, such as writing, reading, and human capital. This perspective is more inclusive of the impact the printing press had in all regards, thus including economics. 

By looking at the history and impact of the printing press on the world, we can better understand how technologies shape communication and society. As a new form of faster and easier communication is introduced, the people of a community will adopt it. The new forms of communication will overtake the old form, thus making a new reality.

 

The Eight Values of Free Expression

 A key principle to the foundation of the United States is freedom. A nation built on freedom sets a precedent compared to other empires of our history. However, this revolutionary idea needs a framework so that it remains orderly: thus creating the Eight Values of Free Expression. Through these spokes, the wheel of freedom can run smoothly, having an anchor to fall back upon. 

Each of these values are important to the people of the United States, but vary in their unique significance due to the particular desires of an individual. My personal reaction to these values vary compared to that of others around me. I resonate with the values of individual self-fulfillment and the promotion of innovation. 

The value of individual self-fulfillment resonates with me because I believe that one’s purpose cannot be avoided, as it finds them compared to them finding it. Because of this, it is the government's job to stay out of the way, allowing purpose to be an individual pursuit with guidance only where it is necessary. In my experience, my purpose was given to me through God, which allows me to watch it unfold through time and know that it is bound to occur. So, in my identity, I can connect with those like me and those unlike me because everyone has their unique path of life. 

The promotion of innovation resonates with me because it cultivates a society of creatives. Creativity is a necessary trait to growth, and a nation must grow in some way to survive. Personally, I practice creativity through writing and filmmaking, as I plan to enter the entertainment industry. There is a unique dichotomy with creativity, as it leads to both production and consumption, where both are a slippery slope to an enslaved people either overworked or under-utilized. This fine line fascinates me, because it can lead to greatness or doom. 

I struggle with the Marketplace of Ideas, as I hope it is true and sounds ideal, but am unsure if it is the case. Oftentimes I see an abundance of misinformation and radical opinions that do not sound educated, which can be discouraging. However, if the theory of the Marketplace of Ideas is true, then it is only a matter of time before the truth is revealed. 

To apply the theories of a Marketplace of Ideas and Stable Change to the radicalization of political parties, we can feel grounded in the future outlooks of citizens. Today, individuals are radically moving to opposite poles of the political spectrum, then staying put due to the echo chambers (info here) created in the media. However, the Marketplace of Ideas insinuates that the truth will emerge. Likewise, the stable change theory insinuates that being able to vent your opinions leads to less acts of aggression. So, this means that venting opinions on social media will reduce violent acts of aggression as well as create a pool of opinions that leads to the ultimate truth.

Similarly, by applying the value of tolerance to this situation, you can feel grateful that even negativity can lead to a positive outcome. By voicing an opinion, right or wrong, you are expressing a freedom not commonly seen. 

The Eight Values of Free Expression establish a safety net for freedom in the United States so that individuals can have ordered liberty. With this framework, the prosperity of our nation is limitless.

The Workings of the US Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court plays an imperative role in the checks and balances system of the United States. Understanding the role of the Supreme Court in upholding the rights of citizens is crucial for all individuals. 

Before this research, my understanding of the Supreme Court was limited. I understood that they were a part of our system for checks and balances, but did not grasp their true importance. After having watched the video, my misconceptions and novice knowledge towards the Court has expanded.

The concept that the first amendment is not absolute is not new to me, but remains stimulating due to its common misconception. Most people assume that the first amendment covers anything and everything that is said, but that is not true. Threats, libel, and incitement are examples of speech that are not covered, as the Supreme Court has made it clear that there are specific consequences to certain actionable comments. 

The most important takeaway from the video is the Supreme Court’s ability to interpret the amendments as they see fit. This equates the Court’s level of power to that of the congress as they are the lawmakers and the presidential administration as they execute them. Without the Court’s interpretation, they would not be of equal benefit. This interpretation is known as "Judicial Review", as seen on the US Courts' Website, under judicial review.

The Court’s interpretation leads to their integral perspective on the first amendment. They dictate what it means in a practical world, where individuals might attempt to work around the system. The Court’s interpretation of First Amendment rights does not bypass laws of general applicability. This means that individuals cannot use their rights as a way to not comply with the law. There are certain standards that must be met, and those are upheld through the Supreme Court.

The videos clarified my understanding of the Supreme Court, as it can be difficult to understand how their branch affects the citizens’ rights. But, by understanding their ability to interpret the amendments through real cases, it becomes clear how their role plays into the government. Now, I can be confident that the amendments serve the people in practical ways established through real events in our history.

Top 5 Sources of News and Information

The digital age has brought about an abundance of news sources, expanding citizens' accessibility to the events that occur at any given moment. With this overwhelming amount of information comes the need to decipher which sources are credible in their recounts. These sources are my choices at informing me of the events that take place around the world. 

I am subscribed to The Daily Wire, which serves to inform me of the current political discourse. The Daily Wire is a right-leaning news source, so I must pick through the content as unbiased as possible, so that I can extrapolate an opinion on the topics for myself. An article that exemplifies their traditional content is “Trump Begins Presidency as a Crypto Billionaire with ‘Meme’ Coins.” Check that out Here.

Another news source I consume is The Wall Street Journal, who sends out free emails with mini-bios of current world events. By reading these emails, I feel more in the know about economic trends, political events, and foreign affairs. These quick excerpts allow me to feel up to date without spending too much time digging into it. The image displayed shows an example as to how the email newsletter is set up. 

Another way I get my news and information is through google scholar. As a student, I have had several projects in the past years requiring academic papers as the main source of information, which has translated to my personal use of academic papers to inform me on topics of any interest. By reading through academic papers, I can hold confidence in the information I am researching because of the authors’ educated perspective. An example of this is an article I read, “How Effective is a Mask in Preventing COVID-19 Infection?” Check that out Here.

Another source of information for me is through Fox News. I use this source the least, comparatively speaking. However, it does introduce potentially intriguing events that I look at closer. An example of this is the article “Deadly 1,500-mile paralyzing winter storm blankets South in Snow from Texas to Florida.” Check that out Here.

Finally, I use social media as a source of news and information. While this is not a trusted source, it does expand my perspective by informing me of cultural trends, events, and a vast set of opinions. The type of content varies, covering a multitude of topics. I would recommend this as a source of news and information because of its ability to show you so much content about any given topic that you find intriguing.