The Colorado Sun: The concept of the “public square” traces back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and colonial America, when local people established common areas not only to exchange ideas and debate, but also to greet neighbors and newcomers, host community celebrations, and even graze livestock.

Yet even before the Supreme Court declared the internet “the modern public square” in 2017, tech execs have tried to convince us that online forums — privately owned, commercial spaces that profit from outrage, division and clicks — are better suited for building community.

More recently, the term “public square” has been appropriated by a partisan online shopping venture. And like so many previously unifying terms — liberty, democracy, patriotism — these words and concepts are now more often used to divide us.

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