Final Blog

My Relationship with Technology and Making the right balance.

When I think about how I interact with technology, I see how important it become in my life. I engage with a bunch of devices from when I get up until I go to bed. While I'm grateful for the many advantages that technology has given me, I'm also realizing some of its drawbacks and the need to keep a balance.

The first thing that crosses my mind is whether or not I have a healthy relationship with technology. I think it's a bit bit of both. On the one hand, technology has made my life easier by enabling me to easily obtain information and talk with friends. On the other hand, I once in a while catch myself wasting far too much time online, especially on social media sites. This often causes me to procrastinate and get work done less efficiently. This leads me to think there is a lot of room for improvement in the amount of time I spend on technology. Even tho some of the time is being used for work. I once in a while notice when I'm mindlessly scrolling. We all need to be more careful about how we spend our time and keep technology from taking up all of our lives.

A lot depends on how we approach the issue of whether technology is educating us and making us smarter or deceiving. Even tho we have access to a huge database of knowledge, the internet also has its fair share of biases and false information. In order to use technology to its fullest, I think we need to be careful about the sources we use and double-check the information.

Sometimes I worry about how technology affects how I live my life. But I think recognizing these problems is the first step in dealing with them. We can make sure that technology continues to be helpful and productive by assessing our connection with it and working to make a balance.

Technology both has good and bad effects on the lives of my friends and family. On the plus side, it made communication more convenient and simple. Through a bunch of apps, we can talk to each other, exchange stories, and plan events. On top of this, technology has been a great tool for learning and entertainment, enabling us to access a wealth of data, games, and streaming services. On the negative side, I've seen that technology can occasionally limit the number of face-to-face interactions we have. During family and friend outings, people can lose themselves in their devices over actually talking to one another. This results in a feeling of isolation and stops the creation of new relationships. 

My relationships are hugely impacted by our technology in both good and bad ways. It helps me to keep in touch with family who is far away and to meet new people using communication methods like Xbox party chat. Finding a balance between online connections and face-to-face communication is important. I try to make an effort to balance in-person relationships and put my phone down when I'm with friends.

Analyzing our digital footprint is vital to understanding how we interact with technology. My name comes up in a simple Google search with a few social media profiles. I think my online presence is generally a good representation of who I am. But because what we share online can have long-lasting effects, It's important to think before we post.

When looking at my online presence, There are a few things that could be better. I should have more caution when posting and responding to comments on social media. It's necessary to consider how companies, universities, and even my girlfriend view social media presence.

After researching and looking into this, I took a few steps myself to improve how I come across online. First I took a look into my social media accounts by checking privacy settings and making sure that only those I know and trust can look at my posts. I also removed a few images that could be interpreted in a bad way. Second, II made sure my identity online is more credible online by updating my LinkedIn profile to reflect myself a little better. Also to showcase my work in game design, I made a personal website through Wix that people can use to view my work. Third, I'm now more careful about how I connect online by taking a second to reflect before I post or do anything else that could be viewed as bad. It's important to be conscious of the repercussions the internet can have on all of us. Finally, once in a while, I Google myself to see what information is available to the general public to keep track of my digital footprint. Then I'm able to take the steps needed to clean up my digital presence if it's needed.

To sum everything up,  I have a complicated connection with technology. It has both good and bad sides. While technology has definitely made my life easier and more connected, it also made problems like too much screen time and less face to face reactions. To keep a healthy relationship with technology, we need to make the right balance by being more mindful of how we use it and take steps to ensure that it remains a positive factor in our life.

Blog 9

     

        The 1948 Smith-Mundt Act was amended in 2012 to allow the dissemination of public diplomacy materials within the country. The content was only meant for foreign audiences prior to the change. The goal of the legislation is to bring the U.S. government's interactions with its domestic audience into the digital era.

The effects of the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act go beyond a straight definition. On the plus side, it allows the American government to interact with its citizens more openly by giving them access to the same information as overseas audiences. This might improve public perception of the government's diplomacy and foreign policy initiatives, potentially creating more confidence. The act also aids the government in stopping internal and international campaigns of misinformation and deception.

But there are worries that the act would encourage the distribution of government propaganda within the United States, possibly confusing the distinction between unbiased reporting and official messages. Some contend that this could lead to the government influencing public opinion, interrupting a democracy based on informed consent. On top of this since the public can mistake the government's public materials for an official story. Making it more challenging to distinguish fact from fiction, the spreading of incorrect information could be increased.

        It's important to know Smith-Mundt Modernization Act can have positive and negative effects on society as a whole. The government could promote a more informed and involved population by giving them access to public diplomacy materials. On the other hand, the act might accelerate the spreading of false information and the decline in trust in the government making it harder for the public to navigate an environment that is getting more and more complicated.

Certain social groups can be affected by the Mundt Modernization Act as well. For example, wealthy people may be more able to differentiate between normal news and government propaganda since they have access to a wider catalog of information sources. But, those with lesser incomes might have less access to a lot of information sources, making them more open to government propaganda. Different age groups may also be affected in different ways by the law. Older people may be more open to government messages, while younger people may be less open. Gender and sexual identification may not have as big of an impact on the act's outcomes, because information and potential propaganda can spread to all areas of our society to some extent.

The Act of 2012 might have an impact on my family, generation, and self by quite literally increasing our access to knowledge about government acts, potentially exposing us to government propaganda and misinformation without even knowing. Access to this information results in more informed discussions, but it may also cause misunderstanding among my generation. It is important to focus on media literacy and critical thinking to successfully travel this complicated landscape, find reliable sources, and keep an educated society.

Both positive and negative have resulted from the act. It can increase informed citizens and offer information about government actions, but it also has the potential of spreading false information and government propaganda.

Blog #11

In the more modern world, cancel culture has spread like crazy. Rejecting an individual or organization over offensive or inappropriate behaviors made by the. The cancel culture is a topic on which there is a lot of disagreement. While some see it as a tool for ensuring accountability and creating change. Others think it may be overdone and bad for the mental health of those affected.

The idea of cancel culture is to make sure that people are held accountable for their actions by helping them to be more careful with their words. The idea is that by being humiliated in front of others and receiving negative feedback, these people will grow and try to do better in the future. Those who support this strategy say that it has the potential to change the normal and result in a more equal society. But, a lot of those who are against cancel culture think that sometimes it can be extreme. They think that since everyone makes mistakes it's unreasonable to do this to someone for a single mistake.

Tons of well-known people, like J.K. Rowling, James Charles, and Kanye West, have direct experience with cancel culture. Even companies like Gucci and Balenciaga have experienced criticism for their ads. In the case of Balenciaga, the company became under fire for using young children with teddy bears dressed in bondage clothes with a handbag on documents about a case involving child pornography in marketing materials. On top of this, there were attacks on those who wore clothes from these brands.

Holding people and companies responsible for actions and talking about harmful behavior is important. But cancel culture's big approach might not be the best plan to solve this. It is important to consider serious problems like the possibility of injury and the elimination of free speech. Instead of making a person look like a villain, a reaction that promotes development and change might be a better way of creating change.

Blog # 8

    The smartphone is a good example of an innovation that has seen widespread adoption in recent years. Viewing its adoption through the lens of Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory can help understand its rapid spread and the reasons behind the different rates of adoption.

Due to the ability to operate as a phone, camera, and personal computer all in one, smartphones provided a big advantage over older-style cell phones. Their suitability for more modern lifestyles places a greater focus on connectivity, and information availability, added to their appeal. Smartphones have an easy understanding among users because of their simplicity and user-friendly interfaces. Alongside this, people observe others using cell phones and understand their advantages, making smartphones very observable.

    Early adopters of smartphones were probably attracted to the invention because of its benefit and availability to their wants. They may have been more willing to take risks to gain the benefits of the latest technology. On the other hand, late adopters might have been more cautious, waiting for proof of the smartphone's advantages to justify paying such a high price. They also could have taken longer to like the technology because they didn't see a need for the extra capabilities. Some people have chosen not to use cell phones at all, whether out of concern for their privacy because they spend too much time on screens, or because they worry about developing an addiction.

    Some people choose not to use cell phones at all, either out of concern for their privacy, because they spend too much time on screens, or because they worry about developing an addiction. These people could have conducted a cost-benefit analysis before deciding to use new technology, concluding that for them, the disadvantages could outweigh the benefits.

    The negative effects of smartphone technology, in reality, go further than issues with data security and privacy. Smartphones influence daily life to an extent that they give rise to problems like excessive screen time and social media addiction. This causes anxiety, depression, and Insomnia. On top of this, the non-stop notifications we get on our phones result in high-stress levels, and over time this has a very bad effect on mental health.

Citations:

The iphone effect: The quality of in-person social interactions in the ... (n.d.). Febuary 13, 2023, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013916514539755

Perrin, A. (2020, May 30). Social Media Usage: 2005-2015. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/10/08/social-networking-usage-2005-2015/

Roberts, J., Yaya, L., & Manolis, C. (2014, August 26). The invisible addiction: Cell-phone activities and addiction among male and female college students. AKJournals. Retrieved Febuary17, 2023, from https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/3/4/article-p254.xml

Smith, A. (2020, August 25). Smartphone ownership 2013. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/06/05/smartphone-ownership-2013/

Blog # 7

A technology I found pretty interesting was television and Netflix. The first TV set was created in 1927, Seriously changing how American families consumed entertainment. This is when it all began. Television served as something like a social glue for several years. This brought together family and friends by bonding over their favorite shows. Although with the introduction of streaming services, television changed forever.

Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph launched Netflix n 1997. At its start, it was a DVD rental service. Netflix provided users with a brand new method for renting movies. An interesting fact is that the Co-founder of Netflix Reed Hastings approached Blockbuster in 2000 with a proposal to sell Netflix for $50 million. But Blockbuster turned down the offer, becoming a move they would later regret as Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

Later, Netflix’s decision to Launch its streaming service in 2010 turned out to be a wild success. The business changed its focus from shipping DVDs to offering online access to movies and television shows. This completely changed the entertainment industry and set the stage for Netflix's future expansion.

Today, Netflix has over 10,000 titles throughout the globe and provides three plans—basic, standard, and premium, to meet various family needs. Due to the platform's huge success, it’s been able to produce its own television shows and movies like Stranger Things, and The Outer Banks.

The impact Netflix has had on television is very significant. People now have the luxury of binge-watching their favorite shows whenever they want. Much different from the very close past when people were forced to watch shows at set times. On top of this, Netflix's ad-free experience guarantees viewers won't miss a thing.

Finally, Netflix's work in the streaming area has inspired several other companies to create their own streaming services further changing the way we watch entertainment. It is obvious that Netflix has been a main force in changing the future of television and the entertainment industry.

Blog 10

        The complex world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is explored in depth in Frontline's eye-opening documentary "In the Age of AI,". The documentary shows how these technologies have changed our society and the potential repercussions of their further development. 

The Positive effects that AI and machine learning have produced changed many different industries. With better analysis, special medication, and the creation of new medicines, these technologies have enhanced healthcare. While AI has the potential to improve crop yields and decrease waste in agriculture, autonomous cars driven by AI promise to decrease accidents and streamline traffic. Even more, AI can help in the development of new materials for sustainable technology and climate change reduction by practicing effective energy management.

Although, this rapid advancement of AI has raised major privacy concerns. In countries like China, where the government uses facial recognition software to monitor and control its populace, AI-driven surveillance systems are being created and integrated as we saw in the documentary. This violation of privacy creates a nightmare where people are robbed of their security and governments have an unfair amount of power. The huge collection and use of personal data by internet corporations have raised concerns about the balance between convenience and privacy, even in nations with more tough privacy laws.

Another important topic covered in the documentary is national security. The possibility of an AI weapons race between states is becoming more real as AI is introduced into military applications. International relations are made more complex by the development of weapon systems and cyberwarfare capabilities, which have the ability to disturb the balance of power and increase the probability of confrontations. The video shows how China and the US are invested in a furious arms race for AI supremacy, which could have an impact on international politics and security.

There is also big insecurity around AI security breaches and identity theft.  This feature of technology is both scary and unsettling. Alongside this Deep fake technology driven by AI makes it possible to produce super convincing video and audio content that can be used to change public opinion, create confusion, and even be used in blackmail. The documentary shows the scary reality of just how easy Deep Fakes can be produced, making it even more challenging to tell the difference between real content and content that has been digitally altered. The structure of our digital identities and the trust many people have in online information are both impacted in a big way by this.

In conclusion, Frontline's "In the Age of AI" gives a deep examination of the potential of AI and machine learning while at the same time exploring the important issues that rise from their fast development. The film talks about the potential uses of AI in a number of areas but it also shows the seriousness of security, privacy, and the issues that become of a technology like this. It is very important to address these issues and make a more comprehensive strategy for using AI and machine learning as we rely on them more and more. 

Blog 6

I think there are quite a few reasons why antiwar voices are not given a more prominent platform and are needed to be sought out to find. One of the first things that came to mind was the relationship between the media and the government. Many mainstream media outlets rely on government funding and information. Without these, their ability to efficiently report on issues is significantly diminished. Additionally, after some research, It seems that the government presents itself and the military as heroic and necessary, while at the same time demonizing the enemy. Antiwar voices that challenge the opinion of the state, could be portrayed as unpatriotic. 

Another reason could be the media. Media outlets are tied to their advertisers and those advertisers most likely have their own agendas. For these media outlets, it can be seen as bad business to criticize the government or military. So antiwar outlets may be hidden to maintain positive business growth.

Finally, the last factor that contributes to the need to search for of antiwar websites is the wealthy who have a large influence in the mainstream media. These people may include politicians, military leaders, or businesses who have an interest in maintaining the status quo for their own personal benefit. These people could have a lot to lose and may take precautions to quiet those antiwar views. If we look at someone like Elon Musk, he has a huge amount of power to influence the media.

As a result, it is necessary to seek out obscure websites to hear strong antiwar voices and access a more diverse range of perspectives on issues of war and foreign policy. Antiwar voices should not be thrown in the back of the cabinet and forgotten about. The media should cover all views, whether or not they align with the government or their own beliefs.

 _Citations:

A propaganda model. A Propaganda Model, by Noam Chomsky (Excerpted from Manufacturing Consent). (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://chomsky.info/consent01/

Simon, J. (2019). The new censorship: Inside the global battle for media freedom. Amazon. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://www.amazon.com/New-Censorship-Freedom-Columbia-Journalism/dp/023116064X

War and media since 9/11 - Piers Robinson, 2019 - sage journals. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0267323119875251

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