Blog #12: Final Post

Technology is both a tool and a weapon. As Professor Smith said, cell phones are one of humanity’s greatest inventions. Personally, I see technology as a helpful tool in my life but when I look at society as a whole, I can also see how it’s become damaging.

Technology has reshaped every aspect of life, often in ways we don’t even notice. Before it, misinformation wasn’t so widespread, childhoods felt more meaningful, dating was more genuine, and success was earned purely through hard work, not AI. These shifts are just a few of many and in this reflection, I want to explore my relationship with technology and get into how it’s impacted what childhood means today.

My phone and laptop are a major part of my daily life and I’d say I’ve built a pretty healthy relationship with them both. Although, I can recognize it wasn’t always this way. With any tool in life, I had to learn how to use them in a way that benefited me rather than controlled me. I rely on them for school, communication, and work and in today’s world, succeeding in these areas without the use of tech is nearly impossible.

It’s ironic how older generations often criticize Gen Z for being so dependent on technology, yet they’re the ones who digitized education and expect immediate responses to texts and calls. Life today simply can’t function without tech and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it is just something that needs to be understood and balanced. There's a big difference between using your laptop to complete an assignment and spending the whole day watching YouTube in bed.

In fact, technology helped me find my passion. As a Strategic Communications major with a minor in graphic design and social media, I’m pursuing a career that wouldn’t even exist without technology. I didn’t discover my love for graphic design until I started making sports graphics in high school and suddenly, everything clicked for me. That passion for digital creations has opened doors for me, brought incredible people into my life and given me direction I never had before and for that, I’m incredibly grateful technology has grown the way it has.

Despite this, I won’t pretend I’ve always used tech for good. I’ve wasted hours mindlessly scrolling, compared myself to people online and let social media affect my mindset. Only recently, I’ve made a conscious effort to be more mindful and put my phone down to enjoy a walk, be more present with friends or simply live in the moment. Those small choices have made a huge impact on my mental health and helped me build a healthier relationship with my devices.

Even though my experience with tech is positive, I can’t ignore how damaging tech has become for many others. When I think back on my childhood, my best memories aren’t of screens, they’re of playing outside with my siblings and neighbors, riding bikes, and knocking on doors to see which of my friends wanted to hang out. Today, that world feels like it's fading and I hardly see kids outside anymore. “iPad kids” have become the norm and it’s heartbreaking to think that so many children won’t have the same kind of playful, imaginative experiences I did.

One of my biggest dreams is to be a mother, and when that time comes, I want my kids to have the kind of childhood I did and will cherish forever. Yes, they’ll have access to tech, but it won’t define their lives and I’ll teach them balance. The dinner table won’t be for screens, and no cartoon can compare to the adventures you create yourself in the backyard. It’s up to us to shift the narrative, to help future generations build healthier relationships with technology and bring meaning back to childhood.

I’m grateful for what technology has brought into my life, but even more thankful that I’ve learned how to use it for good. For the rest of my life, I’ll do my best to help others do the same.

Blog #11: EOTO Recation

A topic that caught my attention during presentations today was Propaganda. This is a topic I know more about but being able to hear someone really talk in depth on it was very interesting. In case you aren't familiar, propaganda is a tool used to manipulate people’s beliefs, attitudes, and actions. Although it might seem like a modern tactic, the term “propaganda” became widespread in the United States during the early 1910s, particularly during the beginning of World War I. The concept of propaganda is far from new and continues to play a significant role in shaping public opinion today. Governments, political groups, and media outlets often use it to promote their agendas and influence the masses. We see it a lot in the news, especially in channels that are known to have strong opinions one way or the other. New sources won’t necessarily always show something fake or made up but they will take something that was stated or done and twist it to have different meaning in order to make viewers feel a certain way about a topic.

Propaganda can take many different forms, including posters, speeches, films, and more recently, social media campaigns. It typically appeals more to emotion than to logic and like I mentioned it aims to cause strong feelings like fear, pride, or anger in regards to a topic in the news. While it can sometimes be seen as an effective way to rally people behind a certain cause, it also has the potential to spread misinformation and suppress alternative viewpoints, which makes it both a powerful and dangerous tool. There are other ways to rally people without the use of propaganda and stretching the truth but still today we haven’t seen any signs of propaganda becoming less popular. 

One of the most interesting aspects of propaganda I learned through the presentation is how subtly it can influence individuals. Often people may not even realize they are being swayed by it and it can be hard to identify at times. By repeating certain messages or presenting information in a compelling way, propaganda can shape beliefs and behaviors without the audience being fully aware of its impact. I know I have definitely fallen for propaganda and I bet you have too without even realizing. This makes it an especially effective means of control, as it can operate under the radar while still achieving its goals. Remember to always do research and I encourage you to try and catch some propaganda in our news sources the next time you are watching.

Blog #10: Age of AI

Artificial intelligence most commonly referred to as AI is a powerful tool with many benefits, but it also brings up many concerns. After watching the video, it became clear to me how much AI is starting to mimic human behavior, which made me and I couldn’t help but think about how reliant people are on AI recently. While it does make life easier, AI is commonly known to spread false or misleading information, especially if people don’t question what they’re being told and blindly follow what it says.

The video also highlights how much AI is contributing to economic inequality. Wealthy individuals and companies often have better access to AI tools which allow them to grow even richer while lower income workers are losing jobs due to this new development. This deepens the gap between the rich and the poor which was already very big, as AI counties replace jobs that many people depend on for their livelihood.

Not only is the economy being changed but education too is completely different then it used to be. AI has changed how students approach learning and many now use it to complete assignments, find answers quickly, or even write papers. While I understand as a student that this saves time, it also means students are not fully understanding material or developing essential thinking skills that hard work and studying teaches. Relying too much on AI can take away entirely from the real learning process.

Despite these major concerns, there are also positive aspects to AI I don’t want to leave unrecognized. AI has the ability to store and process large amounts of data, assist with scheduling, and make life more organized and efficient. AI tools can also support productivity, help people stay on track, and even assist in areas like mental health.

However tracing back to the issues, one major concern is privacy. AI systems often collect user data and many worry about how their personal information is being used or shared. These concerns show the importance of ethical guidelines and transparency in AI development.

Overall, AI can be incredibly helpful when used responsibly and in moderation, just like most things in life. It’s important to understand both the advantages and the risks and as AI continues to grow, we need to think critically about how it’s being used, who is actually benefiting in the long run, and how to protect people’s privacy and livelihoods. Awareness and thoughtfulness have both been common themes in our class when it comes to tech and they are key to making sure AI is a tool that supports society, not one that harms it.

Blog #9: EOTO 2 | Total Information Awareness

In 2002, the government started a program called Total Information Awareness, or TIA, to try and stop terrorism. It was run by DARPA which was a research agency in the Department of Defense. The goal of this program was to collect and a

nalyze huge amounts of personal data from regular people like bank info, travel plans, and even medical records in order to find possible threats before anything bad happened. Even though the program was eventually shut down because people were upset about it, the idea of using data and technology for surveillance hasn’t gone away, which is highly unsettling. 

At first glance,  the program may sound like a good idea. If the government can use data to stop a terrorist attack or catch someone planning something dangerous then maybe it’s not so bad. Being able to find threats faster and possibly before they even occur could help protect people and save lives. Additionally the program might even make things run better and allow us to do things like responding to emergencies faster.

Although on the other hand when you look more into it, giving the government that much access to everyone’s personal information brings up a lot of problems and concerns. For starters, this means us as citizens lose a lot of our privacy. Imagine every time you send a text, buy something online, or go somewhere, it’s being tracked by the government. That’s kind of scary especially if you haven’t done anything wrong. There’s also the risk of mistakes and false accusations. Imagine if a computer system flags someone as a threat just because of a weird search or travel pattern? That person could end up getting questioned or even arrested for no real reason all because of an innocent search.

Another big issue is how people might act if they know they’re always being watched. They might stop speaking up or sharing their opinions out of fear. This is bad for democracy because people should be able to express themselves without being scared of getting in trouble. Sianna College even did a study to prove this and found: “84% Say Americans being Afraid to Exercise Freedom of Speech is a Serious Problem”

If constant surveillance becomes normal in our society, we could end up living in a world where privacy doesn’t exist anymore. Additionally the surveillance would raise the issue that different groups of people would probably be affected in different ways. Rich people might have better ways to protect their privacy, like using expensive tech or hiring private lawyers. While on the other hand poorer people might get watched more closely or judged unfairly because of stereotypical assumptions. Also, people from minority communities, including racial minorities or LGBTQ+ people, might be targeted more often, especially if the system has biases which would most likely be the case in our society.

The older generation might not even realize how much they’re being watched, or they might think it’s okay if it helps keep them safe but younger people, like us, who are more aware of how tech works know this is a serious issue. 

Our generation is probably going to deal with this invasion of privacy the most. We're growing up in a time where being tracked online is super common and we have never really known a time before constant online monitoring. With that being said, our generation also has the power to fight back and can push for better privacy laws, more ethical tech, and more transparency from those in charge. The future depends on what we do now. We have all the resources to understand what is going on, resources older generations didn't have.

Even though TIA itself isn’t active anymore, the idea behind it is still alive and not slowing down. We need to decide if we’re okay with our every move online being watched or do we want a world where we are free from the government's unfair power over us? I know I don’t want to have to live like this and will be more conscious of my technology use going forward. 

 

Blog #8: Diffusion

The theory of diffusion of innovations was developed by Everett Rogers in his book Diffusion of Innovations written in 1962. This theory explores how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technologies spread through societies. Rogers breaks it down into five main elements: the innovation itself, the adopters, communication channels, time, and the social system. He emphasizes that for an innovation to be sustainable, it must reach a level of widespread adoption that ensures ongoing growth and presence in society.

One of the most impactful innovations in recent years has been the app TikTok. Originally Tiktok was launched as Musical.ly but the app rebranded in 2018 after it was bought by the Chinese company ByteDance for $1 billion. It kept some of its original features but was transformed into a more impactful and content driven platform.

TikTok’s rapid spread, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example of how Rogers' theory works in spreading technological innovations. With quarantine and people being forced to stay in their homes, digital connection became even more essential in our world than it previously was. Over 100 million users were using TikTok during the lockdown, making it one of the fastest growing platforms globally. The “For You Page” feature, which uses an algorithm to predict and show individuals content based on user interaction, became a part of the apps success.

According to the BBC, "This is where the algorithm puts content in front of users, anticipating what they will enjoy based on content they have already engaged with. It is also where it shows content it thinks could go viral."

Nothing like this had really been done and this innovation has reshaped entertainment and communication so much that other apps have even tried to copy it. Many users now enjoy 15 second videos ranging from dances and “day-in-my-life” vlogs to sports clips and trick shots. The creative freedom is what keeps people coming back and you can really do anything you want with this app and your content.

As a TikTok user myself, I enjoy the content that is tailored specifically to me but it is also a little creepy. Sometimes I will talk about something or look up something on safari and next thing you know a video on that topic is on my FYP. The app collects an extreme amount of data on its users and especially recently has been raising serious concerns about privacy and even national security, especially given its ties to a foreign government.

Technology can seem exciting, innovative, and harmless. However, we must ask ourselves if the convenience and enjoyment of certain apps is really worth the cost of our personal privacy and security.

 

BLOG #7: Anitwar

The United States of America was founded through war. In order to gain independence, we had to fight in the Revolutionary War against British rule, and that set the tone for our government and views on war since. Since then, the United States has engaged in numerous wars and military operations and these often take place without actually being in our country. Additionally, despite the many voices that oppose these ongoing military actions we get involved in, we rarely hear from them in the news. This raises the important question of, “why are antiwar perspectives so often ignored or left out of the national conversation/big media sources”?

Some strong antiwar perspectives can be found on alternative news sources like ANTIWAR.COM and The American Conservative, but these sites don’t get even close to views other news sources get. These platforms shed light on military operations and government spending that often go unnoticed in mainstream media. For example, The American Conservative revealed that the U.S. has spent nearly $1 billion on bombings in Yemen, which is a fact that has been rarely reported by major news outlets. Additionally, Antiwar.com published an article examining how America's public opinion is used in order to gauge support for Israel, which highlights how important it is to explore alternative sources to understand the full picture because again, this is not something you would see on your everyday news.

This raises another important question being: “Why aren’t these topics discussed in mainstream news?” One reason I found on this is that when the government takes controversial actions, such as bombing foreign countries, they tend to try and avoid drawing public attention to it. If us regular citizens constantly saw these military actions decided by the government on the news, public support would most likely experience some sort of collapse. Political parties also want to maintain a positive image, so they may hide or downplay uncomfortable truths because it would most likely be very unsettling to constantly receive news on these topics.

For example, our history has shown what happens when the truth eventually comes out. Scandals like Watergate and the Teapot Dome affair completely shook public trust in government. Therefore nowadays, the government tries to act in secrecy and keep military actions out of the public eye to avoid a loss of trust between the people and leaders. As citizens, we should start asking ourselves how many scandals have been hidden from us or how much information has been filtered before reaching us. We must try to stay informed and look beyond mainstream media to see what may truly be going on beyond what the regular news is showing us.

BLOG #6: EOTO Reaction | Carrier Pigeons

Although she was in my own group, I found Abby’s presentation on Carrier Pigeons to be the most fascinating, and in my defense, how could you not? To be completely honest, I didn’t think carrier pigeons were a real thing and always thought they were just a joke or myth. I never believed pigeons could actually deliver messages or had the intelligence to know what they were doing.

It’s not often that a presentation inspires me enough to dive deeper into a topic, but Abby’s presentation motivated me to learn more carrier pigeons as soon as class was over. What shocked me the most in her presentation was that some pigeons had actually saved lives and were even recognized by the government for their heroism. The idea that pigeons could be trained to deliver messages over long distances and know exactly where to go and return to is so beyond me.

The story of "Cher Ami," the pigeon that saved soldiers during World War I, really stood out to me. Not only did I not know carrier pigeons were an actual thing, their main role was to deliver extremely important messages during war. Therefore, never mind them being a myth, they were literally war heroes and here I am thinking they were a joke. Abby’s presentation truly opened my eyes to something I had never considered and now I’m excited to learn even more about their role in history and how they work.

BLOG #5: Tech Ted Talk Reflection

As a young college student, I’ve noticed how much technology shapes the way we live. It can be helpful in many ways, but it also comes with risks that many are unaware of. Whenever we use an app, send a text, or post something online, we give away bits of personal information. This creates a digital version of us that keeps growing. Most people, including myself up until now, don’t realize that this information is often being tracked and shared with companies without our permission.

    In the TED Talk, "Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo," Juan Enriquez talks about how the internet leaves a mark on us, kind of like a tattoo. Once something is online, it is very hard to erase. These digital trackings show more than just our hobbies or interests and they help big tech companies learn about our habits which could then affect our choices. While we may move on from a site, our online data stays with it. Most of us, again including myself, agree to terms and conditions without reading them, not knowing that we might be giving up our privacy because of that small action.

Another Ted Talk speaker, Finn Myrstad, explains how companies design apps and websites in ways that push people to share more than they mean to. He prompts the question, if you lock your front door to stay safe, why let your devices give away your private life? This shows a bigger problem and really puts things into perspective. It also made me wonder, why aren’t leaders and lawmakers doing more to protect us? I believe the government should take responsibility in protecting our privacy online. They should create rules/laws that stop companies and law enforcement from misusing our personal data. There are already global guidelines that protect privacy, and we should be following them and they should be enforced more strictly.

The only way we can get the change we need is if people understand what’s happening and decide to take action. While we wait for the government to implement laws, we need to do what we can to stay safe and become more educated. We need to be more careful about what we share online, reading privacy settings, and understand that our data could be collected at any time. The more we learn, the better we can protect ourselves and speak up for our rights online. I would encourage everyone to become more educated on this topic because it has completely changed my perspective on how I use the internet now.