Eight Values of Free Expression

Why Promoting Innovation Is the Most Important Value of Free Speech

Coming from Iceland to live here in America for college, I often heard a phrase I barely heard before: “free speech.” Back home I rarely heard it, but here I hear it almost every day from classes, social media, and just people talking about it around me. In class we read a lot about reasons why free speech matters; it brings truth, self-government, tolerance, dissent, and much more. They are all really important; however, for me, it is that free speech promotes innovation.

Innovation as the Driver of Progress

A quote from the founder of Apple on innovation

I feel like free speech is not only about talking about what they want; it's also a place where you should be able to talk about new ideas. If a society does not have that, they will stay in the past. I believe this because when looking back at all inventions, art, and businesses that changed the world, they could not have happened without people willing to try a different route than the so called traditional way. A good example of how free speech promotes innovations is Steve Jobs with Apple. When he first introduced the iPhone, a lot of people thought it was unnecessary or just silly, but his willingness to push a bold idea forward completely transformed how we live today. Having free speech, you encourage people to share their ideas even though they seem crazy, and that's where real progress happens.

Why Innovation Matters More Than the Rest

Yes, it's true that free speech can lead to truth, hold governments accountable, and even teach tolerance. Despite these benefits, it doesn’t necessarily mean that much if society doesn’t move forward. “Innovation is the child of freedom and the parent of prosperity.” A society that innovates becomes stronger, smarter, and better at solving problems. If there is no place for creativity in a society, there will be a risk of losing progress but, most importantly, of not creating a good future for all. I just look at all the great scientific breakthroughs like vaccines or renewable energy and how without free speech these ideas might've been shut down. It doesn’t only affect the business economy but also social progress like civil rights movements and gender equality that have depended on pesple speaking their minds about new ideas about how the world could be different. I see innovation as not just making life more convenient but also driving justice, equity, and opportunity. That’s why I believe protecting space for new and fresh ideas is essential, as it ensures that a society keeps building and not just survives but rather thrives.

 Final Thoughts

Being a 17-year-old from Iceland now studying in the US, I look at innovation as the core of free speech. I look at free speech as more than just words; it's about creating a world where creativity, curiosity, and innovation can succeed. When people have the opportunity to share their ideas, challenge assumptions, and imagine something better, society becomes more interesting. It can also lead to solving problems of today and tomorrow. That’s why promoting innovation is, to me, the most important value of free speech.