Final Blog Post: My Relationship with Technology

Technology has dramatically shifted from basic inventions to advanced devices and machines which are now a part of our daily lives that we couldn't imagine living without. While the rise in technology has allowed the development of so many things to further us as a society it also has many drawbacks. 

A few videos relate to this idea of how technology has consumed our world. First, NY Worlds Fair FUTURAMA Ride Video, did an amazing job at predicting advancements in our world including space travel, weather forecasting, urban living, and more. This was a ride from 1964 so it's quite interesting seeing how our world has changed immensely over time representing a techno-utopian society.

While the growth of technology has been very beneficial for our society, with that comes a lot of negative effects. For starters, the video Mad World was a huge reality shock. While the video is over-exaggerated, it is scary to think that that is how our world could become the more technology is implemented into our daily lives. 

One aspect of the video that really stood out to me in an unsettling way was when the girl was standing on the side of the building and everyone was just recording her rather than helping. This video made me think of how the increase in technology has affected mental health. Specifically the impacts of social media on mental health. 

A research study done on American teenagers ages 12-15 showed that the teens who used social media for over three hours a day faced twice the risk of having mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Other studies show higher concern in female teenagers who experience cyberbullying-related depression, eating disorders, body image issues, and poor sleep linked to social media use. 

Dr.Linda Mayes, Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology and Director of the Yale Child Study Center brought up an interesting point that social media algorithms show you what you seem interested in. 

Therefore, if a teen searches for any type of mental health condition such as suicide or depression, it is going to feed them information about those types of things. Then these individuals begin to think that everyone around them is depressed or thinking about suicide which isn't good for mental health either. 

A prime example of this that I see all the time is social media algorithms mainly on TikTok but also on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites. When scrolling on TikTok and you see a video where someone is talking about having anxiety or depression for instance and you like the post, you're going to get a lot more of that type of content pop up on your feed. 

Like Dr.Mayes said, the more you see it the more you think everyone around you is experiencing it which is not necessarily true. I think the increase in mental health talk and openness to hear other's problems is amazing however I think for young individuals it can be confusing and misleading. 

Along with the scary growth in mental health concerns as a result of social media, cyberbullying has also risen directly affecting mental health. A Pew Research study has shown, 59% of teenagers have experienced some form of cyberbullying online. And 90% of teenagers say online harassment is a problem affecting many people their age.

Many authority figures, as shown in the chart above, are not helping with the effects of cyberbullying, especially social media sites. These are giving the cyberbuller access to the bullying as one of the main ways to cyberbully. 

With these concerns on social media as a result of the rise of technology, it can be a concern of what may occur in the future as well. In the past, I have noticed my relationship with technology to be consuming at times and have taken steps back from it as a result. I have made conscious efforts to stay off of social media sites when I noticed my mental health decreasing and after doing so it made my mindset much better. 

I think technology can be an incredible thing. As we all know there are many tasks we wouldn't be able to accomplish without it. Yet, it must be used in a proper manner. When abusing technology the individual can be faced with personal consequences including mental health concerns, cyberbullying, and so much more. But when used in incriments social media along with technology can be an incredible thing. I am glad to have found a balance in my life utilizing technology for some things yet not allowing it to consume my life.

Mediasphere

The mediasphere can be defined as "the collective ecology of the world's media including newspapers, journals, television, radio, books, novels, advertising, press releases, publicity and the blogosphere; any and all media both broadcast and published." This was the topic of one group's presentations for EOTO. Within the media sphere, each team member dove into a concept including echo chambers, whistleblowers, online influencers, mainstream media, citizen journalism, and alternative media.

Echo Chambers

Echo chambers are environments where people only encounter information or opinions that reflect their own beliefs. Echo chambers can create misinformation distorting an individual's perspective making it difficult for them to consider opposing viewpoints. This increases division limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. These echo chambers can happen anywhere information is exchanged whether online or in real life however the internet has made echo chambers grow and have made it easier to fall into. Some echo chamber examples and how to recognize an echo chamber include only receiving one perspective, the viewpoint being supported by incomplete evidence, and facts being ignored when going against the viewpoint. The

Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are defined by the National Whistleblower Center as "someone who reports waste, fraud, abuse, corruption, or dangers to public health and safety to someone who is in the position to rectify the wrongdoing" which became known in 1970. These whistleblowers typically, not always, work inside the organization of the wrongdoing. They play essential roles in leading to significant changes within our society. 

Edward Snowden is believed to be America's most consequential whistleblower in history for handing over materials from one of the world's most secretive organizations, the NSA. Along with his first set of documents he handed over, he left a note stating "I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions," but "I will be satisfied if the federation of secret law, unethical pardon and irresistible executive powers that rule the world that I love are revealed even for an instant."

Online Influencer

Online influencers are people who have large followings on social media. Influencers originated in the mid-2000s on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. They post content their viewers can relate to growing their following and establishing an influence among their viewers. They have marketing power allowing for brand partnerships and a reach to engage audience through personal connections. 

With their influence, they shape trends and consumer decisions in various industries. These individuals can be very beneficial acting as role models to viewers. However, they can also cause insecurities among followers and alter perceptions of reality as influencers typically show their best selves resulting in false comparisons.

Mainstream Media

Mainstream Media are mass communication channels that reach a wide audience. Some examples of this are CNN, BBC, and the New York Times. One positive of mainstream media is access to information allowing society to be informed on current events. Another positive is awareness raised by this media highlights important social issues. Along with the positives, some negatives of mainstream media is media bias as it influences perspectives creating echo chambers, and sensationalism which focuses on clickbait over meaningful content. 

Mainstream media has some diverse impacts including a generational divide meaning consumption of media changes based on old and young individuals. There is also an economic divide acknowledging differences is access to information and impacts on identity shaping individual and societal beliefs. 

Citizen Journalism

Citizen journalism analyses news and information by the general public. Forms of this include pamphlets, radio, blogs, social media, and beyond. Citizen journalist's key characteristics include easy accessibility, speed, diversity in media, and community engagement on various topics. These individuals have the opportunity to share voices that often aren't heard broadening the public's access to information from various viewpoints.

Alternative Media 

Alternative media is media sources that differ from established media types such as mainstream or mass media in terms of production, content, and or distribution. They are independently owned and get funding through nonprofits with financial freedom. It allows for more freedom leading to integrity and less bias as there is no one controlling content. This is why many people refer to alternative media as independent media indicating its independence from large media corporations.

The Progressive Era: Anti-War Voices

After exploring two anti-war voice websites, I noticed how strong these anti-war voices were being used, though I've never seen or heard of these websites before. Antiwar.com has a mission to advocate for non-interventionism in U.S. foreign policy. A platform for diverse voices of individuals who oppose military intervention. Another anti-war voice is The American Conservative, which exits to challenge unchecked power in the government and businesses to support individual freedoms. Both of these websites got me thinking as to why we don't often hear of anti-war voices and opinions.

Anti-war websites are rarely, if ever, shown on mainstream media within the United States because the government is against anti-war. This is why it is rare to come across sites like Antiwar.com and American Conservative. A major reason for this is due to the government's control in the media meaning they have the ability to block content they disagree with to prevent Americans from finding such sites. 

The United States is pro-war and pro-military therefore, they want to keep these sites hidden in order to protect our country's reputation as the government believes it will tarnish the reputation of America. If Americans happened to see more of these anti-war beliefs it would be harder to get them to understand the purpose of war. 

It all comes down to money and the profits of war. When declaring war countries can benefit financially and the government is all about money. Increases in military spending can result in economic growth which overall boosts the economy. War can also result in the obtainment of valuable resources enhancing the economic power of the country. And of course, when a country wins a war it can enhance the country's standing for trade purposes among other countries. These are some of the key aspects countries think of when declaring war making it beneficial in their eyes. 

In order to keep our economy running and growing the government wants to ensure we stay pro-war and pro-government. Keeping these anti-war websites hidden to the public is their way of doing so. 

EOTO: Total Information Awareness

In 2002, the New York Times reported that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was developing a tracking system called "Total Information Awareness" (TIA). This system was based on the idea of pulling together as much information as possible about as many people as possible into a large-scale database making information available to government officials and sorting through it to try to identify terrorists. It was able to do so through computer algorithms and human analysis detecting potential criminal activity.

This system was developed under the direction of John Poindexter who at the time was the director of DARPA's Information Awareness Office. It was intended to give access to private data to law enforcement without having to obtain a warrant or suspicions of wrongdoing. 

John Poindexter

This project utilized the "revolutionary technology for ultra-large all-source information repositories" populated by transaction data which was contained in databases. Not only could the system track government records but also individual's financial and medical records, buying habits, travel and technology history, personal and family associations and so much more. It is no wonder this program was so controversial. 

Information signature tracking was a key component of TIA. This tracked individuals by analyzing their information signatures to try to identify potential terrorist attacks. 

Another key component of TIA was to develop data-mining tools in order to sort through the vast amounts of information to uncover patterns. It also worked in the development of Project Genoa and similar search tools. It had a goal to fund the development of additional tools and data-mining technology that could help analysts understand and anticipate future actions.

An additional component of the program was the development of biometric technology which enabled the tracking and identification of individuals. DARPA's "Human ID at a Distance" program sought to utilize technologies including facial and gait recognition for identifying individuals from a distance.

There were many concerns with the program including privacy rights, potential for abuse, and even the system being ineffective. Since this program is based on speculative assumptions about how databases can be tapped to stop terrorism many individuals didn't think it would work at all.

A year later, in 2003, Congress eliminated funding for this project and closed the Pentagon's Information Awareness Office which is where TIA was developed. However, this didn't eliminate other government data-mining efforts similar to TIA. Projects including the Novel Intelligence from Massive Data within the Intelligence Community Advanced Research and Development Activity (ARDA) as well as the FBI and the Transportation Security Administration who are also working on data-mining projects aimed at fusing intelligence data, commercial databases, and public databases continue to evolve following the end of TIA.

This program affected everyone in society in many ways both good and bad. While TIA aimed to enhance security preventing terrorism and crime through their comprehensive data analysis, it could also lead to privacy infringements. If data was misinterpreted it could result in wrongful surveillance accusations harming trust in the government and the use of technology along with individuals themselves. It could affect people differently based on socioeconomic status. For example, if surveillance increased in lower-income communities it would be more difficult for those individuals as opposed to wealthy communities who would have better access to legal protection and ways to shield themselves from surveillance impacts.

The Total Information Awareness program showcases the complexities between national security and individual privacy. While it aims to increase public safety, its controversial methods raised significant ethical concerns resulting in the end of the program although similar initiatives still continue on.

Diffusion of Innovations

The diffusion of innovations theory, developed by Everett Rogers in 1962, describes the speed and pattern of how new ideas, products, and practices spread throughout our society. This theory involves six groups: pioneers, early adopters, early majority, tipping point, late majority, and laggards. By understanding this theory, we can gain insight into the emergence of innovations, such as the first newspaper. 

Diffusion of Innovation Model

For starters, the modern newspaper was a European invention. Its early pioneers involved several individuals during the 17th century however the first pioneer was Johann Carolus who wrote the very first newspaper "Account of All Distinguished and Commemorative News" in 1605 in Strasbourg France. As the author of the first newspaper, Carolus took significant risks however his courage sparked a movement that would become a cornerstone for the diffusion of information. 

Following Caroulus, many early adaptors, primarily city residents interested in politics, began publishing newspapers. These individuals who wrote and read newspapers played a crucial role in embedding newspapers into our society. This allowed for communication beyond the current word-of-mouth sources.

As newspapers gained traction, the early majority began engaging with it establishing newspapers as an everyday read. They contributed to normalizing newspapers as reliable sources of information and allowed for continued growth.

In the 1950s, newspapers faced a tipping point due to the emergence of televisions. Individuals viewed the television as a new exciting medium for news shifting their attention away from newspapers. Later on in the 1990s, the rise of the internet allowed for an incredible amount of media options also contributing to the decline in individuals reading newspapers due to quicker and easier media platforms.

Despite this decline, newspapers stayed relevant among the late majority who still read print editions of the paper or access it online. These individuals value reading the paper as a part of their daily routine and some of them still get newspapers delivered to their homes.

Then there are laggards who don't necessarily care about being up to date on the newest technology. However, they eventually end up using the technology due to it becoming such a common presence in society. While newspapers aren't used as much today as they were in the past, mostly everyone has read a newspaper at some point in their lives or will end up inevitably as it is a very common source of news and information.

Overall, the newspaper was an invention that transformed our means of communication and obtaining communication. Although they are now published online in addition to paper copies of the newspaper, they are still regularly being read. We are very fortunate to live in a time when the emergence of the newspaper continues to shape our access to information as prior to the invention there was little to no spread of information. Although some inventions resulted in the tipping point of the newspaper it overall led a foundation for the current sources of information we have the luxury of utilizing today.

Living in the Age of AI

Watching the documentary In the Age of AI opened my eyes to rapidly AI has been integrated into our everyday lives. Before the video, I wasn't fully aware of the prevalence of AI and just how common it is being used in the United States, let alone its even greater presence in China. 

One component I found particularly surprising was that China has bypassed credit cards and now uses facial recognition for payments. This stood out to me because I never even thought of that becoming an option for payment which is a bit frightening now that I am aware as it puts into perspective just how much AI is taking over. It made me think about the potential of the United States adapting facial recognition for payments in the future as well which would hurt credit card companies and lead to significant job losses. 

I was also shocked to learn that China uses facial recognition to identify and fine jaywalkers. This ties into the talk of China's social credit program, which would give people numbers using facial recognition based on their behavior in public. A high score would result in perks such as discounts while a low score could result in punishments such as being banned for using public transportation. I think this can be a really great system because it rewards good behavior which could result in a more filled society of people with integrity. However, on the other hand it is alarming to know that you are constantly being watched and scanned. 

Another interesting element from the documentary was the story of AlphaGo computer program developed by Google. AlphaGo learned the rules of the game Go using its database of historical games to figure out how to win. The public debut was a landmark moment unveiling deep learning, a form of AI, mimicking human brain neral networks. They tested the system against  Lee Sedol, the greatest Go player of all time and the algorithm beat Sedol in four of five matches. This test proved that AI could gather a great deal of data beyond what a human can handle, and use that data to teach itself how to predict an outcome. The Chinese government even referred to this as the "Sputnik movement" highlighting their mission to lead in AI by 2025.

Overall, I think AI is an incredible tool that we can utilize for so many different things, just as outlined in the video using AI for facial recognition, board games, self-driving trucks, and more. However, it is alarming to know that AI is becoming more and more prominent in our everyday lives taking away from personal interactions and employment for individuals. 

EOTO Presentation on The History of Internet Search

The emergence of internet search began in 1990 with the start of the first internet search engine Archie. Four years later, Yahoo was founded followed by Backrub two years after that. In 1998 Backrub changed its name to the regularly used search of Google.

Archie 1990: Alan Emtage created Archie, short for archive. It is considered the first internet search engine, which automated the process of finding files on FTP (file transfer protocol) sites. It allowed users to search for file names and directory listings on these FTP servers.

Yahoo 1994: Founded by two Stanford University students, Jerry Yang and David Filo. The name Yahoo is an acronym 

for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle. It quickly 

became one of the most popular web directories. They broke the world record for the largest simultaneous yodel in 2003 and 2015. 

Backrub 1996: This is now regarded as the predecessor of Google search engine, developed by Google founder Sergey Brin and Larry Page who studied at Stanford University. It was named Backrub because the search engine used backlinks to rank pages. By the time Google was created, 25 million pages were already indexed by Backrub. The foundation for SEO (search engine optimization) was laid by the search engine Backrub. 

Google 1998: Backrub was renamed to Google which is a 

play on mathematical expression reflecting Brin and Page's mission to organize the world's information making it 

accessible and useful universally. Soon after, it caught the attention of Silicon Valley investors prompting Sun co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim to write Brin and Page a check for $100,000. This investment began the birth of 

Google. 

Nowadays, 70% of online search requests are handled by Google and it is worth 1.84 trillion dollars. Internet searches have impacted our society in so many ways including educating the public, access to research, remote job opportunities, digital marketing, and allowed for rapid growth in technology.