The real marketplace of ideas

''The marketplace of ideas'' is a powerful legal and political metaphor-a bulwark of an open, liberal society-that suggests a positivistic debate utilizing reason and evidence. In reality however, the marketplace of ideas often consists of illogic and bad evidence, producing clutter and confusion. The parallel with scientific research is misinformed. Evidence from collective decision-making and small group studies cast grave doubts on the ''marketplace's'' ability to maximize truth.