What Up Holmes?

This episode of Radiolab explores the history and evolution of the concept of free speech in the United States, focusing on Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes's transformation from an opponent to a champion of free speech. The hosts discuss Holmes's famous "marketplace of ideas" metaphor, its origins in the Abrams dissent, and the influence of young progressive intellectuals on Holmes's thinking. The episode also examines the limitations of the marketplace of ideas in the context of modern social media, where falsehoods can spread faster and wider than truths. The hosts consider alternative models for free speech that prioritize the rights of listeners and the importance of accurate information, ultimately concluding that the concept of free speech must be constantly reevaluated and refined.