The Marketplace of Ideas

Even though it is considered to be an ancient notion, the phrase 'marketplace of ideas' was actually coined in 1967, as part of a U. S. Supreme Court decision. The venerablility of the phrase attaches to its connotation, the 'free exchange of ideas', which is plainly Evolvemental both for Individuals and for society as a whole. However, in the context of contemporary American Economics, the phrase easily takes on a malign connotation, as well. For, the American 'marketplace' is an arena in which products have a monetary value, which implies that a 'good' idea is one that sells, and the 'best' idea is the one that is the most expensive to purchase. Perhaps nothing demonstrates the equivocality of 'marketplace' than that in current American debates such as Health Care and Climate Change, Scientific Truth is having to negotiate with Corporate Profitability. In Evolvementalism, as well as other doctrines, a more comprehensive idea has more Value than a less comprehensive one, even if the latter fetches a higher price than it does.