What Up Holmes?

America's broad free speech protection, allowing even offensive expression, is relatively new and linked to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. A pivotal eight-month period in Holmes's life saw him unexpectedly shift his stance on permissible speech. The reasons behind this change remain a significant mystery within Supreme Court history, involving anarchists and a friend's plea. This shift influenced the nation's understanding of free speech, as investigated in the Radiolab episode. The episode explores the reasons for Holmes's change, its impact on American society, and whether a reevaluation of free speech is now needed. Thomas Healy's book "The Great Dissent" served as inspiration for the episode. Additional resources for further reading include articles and books on social media, online news, and biographies related to free speech and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Special thanks are given to individuals who contributed to the episode. Radiolab encourages listeners to support their work through donations.