EOTO2

     In my presentation I talk about how following the September 11th attacks, the US government started a program called Total Information Awareness to stop the next terrorism threats. It was initiated in 2002 by the Information Awareness Office, and the program aimed high by analyzing enormous volumes of data from many public and commercial sources to identify any terrorist activity before it could actually happen. But the technologies the program used and its strategies caused serious questions about privacy and the possibility of government abuse. These issues still ring true today given the ongoing use of similar monitoring techniques.

TIA had as its supposed goal, which was protecting the country by spotting terrorist activity before it could start. The start of this program wanted to receive a lot of data, including phone calls, emails, medical records, bank transactions, travel histories, and even grocery store purchases. The idea was to make a "pattern of life" for each person by using AI algorithms to find strange patterns or possible dangers.

Still, the amount of data collecting set off societal concern alarms. Since the TIA's primary goal was to monitor every member of society, many individuals didn’t hide their expressed concerns about the potential misuse of this type of monitoring (thank God). To protect people from unreasonable searches and seizures, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says that the government must have probable cause or a warrant before getting involved in private matters.This “program” completely contradicted that amendment.

Once specifics about TIA got out, it was basically a wrap with the program. Congress responded in 2003 by enacting legislation and also cutting off program funding; by 2004, the government officially closed TIA. Still, it didn't evaporate entirely. They rebranded it as Terrorism Information Awareness, and the program's technologies were still being used in several other government monitoring projects.

Even though the Total Information Awareness campaign was formally ended, its form of technologies continues to endure. Many of the technology and monitoring techniques created for TIA have gone into modern security systems. Under the pretense of national security, agencies like the NSA keep watching communications, financial transactions, and even social media activity today.

As it has been talked about how advanced technology is now, surveillance risks are much higher in the digital era. Governments now have unheard-of access to personal data, as almost every element of our lives is now online, including banking and shopping. Globally monitoring people can be a tool for good, helping to stop crime and terrorism, but it also invites possible abuse,which people were concerned about in the beginning. 

Through the TIA program presentation I did, I learned how important clear rules and responsibility are in the digital age. Keeping society fair depends on new technologies that do not violate people's rights.People and legislators should be told about how surveillance is carried out going forward to make sure it does not overreach itself. The debate between privacy and security is far from finished, especially with modern day technology, and the legacy of Total Information Awareness still shapes our perceptions of governments monitoring us now.

ANTIWAR

     Regular news sources I have seen just don't have many strong antiwar speakers, which makes rightfully worried people like my professor look for other news sources I just found out about, like Antiwar.com. I learned that this website has in depth, sympathetic, and thoughtful content about the terrible effects of U.S. military action because most major news outlets don't pay much attention to them. My immediate thought was that these major news outlets probably assumed they would have gotten backlash or repercussions from the government because of it.

When the mainstream media talk about military operations, from what I’ve seen, they usually only talk about the most obvious things, like operations, political debates, or strategic victories (which all glamorize them). They don't talk about the essential things, like how war affects innocent civilians, soldiers, or world security for us in the long term. Stories about the pain caused by war, how it destroys whole societies and families, and the real effects of going to war are mostly downplayed.

Myself, many other Americans, and other people around the world are deeply unappreciative of this. This lack of coverage changes how much military actions really cost a lot of other factors. On the other hand, I do appreciate the online platforms because they allow antiwar speakers, like those on Antiwar.com and sites like it, to give a bigger, more sympathetic view of these wars, which can bring attention to the human cost of these choices. But big news outlets hiding their presence and just not speaking on these issues changes how people see what's going on in the world, and it's unrealistic and disgusting.

Like I said in my previous paragraph, when news groups don't cover antiwar views, they keep viewers from getting a full, real picture of how U.S. foreign policy affects the world. This means that most people might never hear different points of view, leaving them confused or uninformed about the real costs of war. That's why Antiwar.com was such a big surprise to me. I think it's wrong that these websites, which have a lot of useful and important information, are not well known or talked about in everyday life.

These blogs are purposely shut out of the mainstream media because they say important things about war and militarism that aren't positive. It's upsetting and makes me worry completely. If these ideas were covered by the mainstream media, people might pay more attention to military operations and demand that those in charge be held accountable.But as I continue writing this blog post, I remind myself that's exactly what they don't want. But as citizens in this country, we have the right to hear a wide range of points of view, especially when it comes to big issues like war. 

The Age of AI

     The video I watched mainly focused on both the excellent opportunities and the big problems that artificial intelligence brings to our world right now. One important lesson I keep learning is how companies like Google and Facebook use the predictive power of AI to change people's behavior in a quiet way. For example, when the video brought up Facebook's trial during the 2010 midterm elections, it showed us how AI could get people to vote by showing them which of their friends had already done so. This kind of influence works in the background without the user's knowledge, though, and it is both intriguing and scary to me.We see from history how AI can be used to change people's minds or gain political benefit.

    The video also shows how AI is becoming better at spying on us, as we have talked about in class, especially through smart speakers like Google Home and Alexa. This definitely scared me because putting this kind of constant monitoring into everyday goods undoubtedly raises concerns about privacy invasions and data abuse. It’s very weird and disrespectful that companies keep collecting so much information about their customers, often without their understanding or permission.

       Because these risks are becoming clearer each day, the video tells us that steps are being taken to reduce them. Starting with Mactaggart's support for a privacy law in California, this article gives people the information they need to make smart choices about their personal data. In addition, the film also shows and tells us how AI has already spread to so many areas of life, such as healthcare and criminal justice, and says that it might be challenging for reasonable rules to stay in place.

    Even though it does have its risks, artificial intelligence is definitely a wonderful invention to a lot of us out there. But from another point of view, there are beneficial reasons for us doubt how much it could be used to spy on, control, and even put people in danger without us knowing. I believe that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for progress, but as I say in most of my blog posts, its growing impact on everyday life needs to be carefully managed to keep it pure and prevent abuse.

Final Post

         As a society, we often look at technology as a tool, something that was invented to simplify life, increase productivity, and improve connectivity with other people. I would say we have a complicated relationship with it, and the relationship between technology and society has grown toxic in many ways. 

    Firstly, I am going to talk about the internet, which provides us access to a large amount of information anytime and anywhere. This is, of course, a huge advantage for us. We have the ability to learn anything we want from almost anywhere in the world, which was something that earlier generations had only dreamt about (FUTURAMA). With only a few clicks on research, lessons, news, and ideas, people can teach themselves and make knowledgeable decisions. Overall, technology has produced genius products that have made opportunities for education and personal development possible for millions.

    On the other hand, there are certain disadvantages to having access to the endless knowledge we have. For example, fake news spreads faster than ever to us, and certain factors make it difficult to tell the difference. Unreliable information, extreme viewpoints, or horribly researched sources can influence people more than we think. Another aspect is that because of how the internet is now, harmful content, like hate speech and conspiracy theories, constantly gains attention. This sometimes can lead to people becoming overwhelmed, distracted, or incapable of making decisions as a result of the information overload. Basically, when technology stops being informative and becomes confusing and stressful to people, it seems like it’s just going backwards.

Another factor I feel is contributing to cyberbullying's horrible impact on society is the fact that technology allows it to happen. Social media platforms have sadly been made safe spaces for online harassment, stalking, and bullying. Because users are able to stay anonymous online, they can attack others in a disgusting way that would never happen in face-to-face interactions. The effects of cyberbullying are extensive and include depression and, in extreme cases, suicide, which, as a lot of us know, is happening now at a faster rate than ever.I recently did a project on it, and the statistics were heartbreaking. Even though the internet has brought humans closer in different ways, it has also made people less accountable for their actions, and as we have seen, online harassment can be fatal. I happen to personally believe that this has worsened accountability in life when people are offline as well.

Another similar issue is that revenge porn, a nationwide issue, has been started by technology(and horrible people). The same digital tools that we use to capture and share private experiences with friends and family have shown us a different side of the internet. The victims of revenge porn have experienced and are still experiencing horrific trauma. This terrible issue represents an invasion of privacy, an aggressive act that has the potential to destroy relationships, reputations, and mental health. Even though many platforms are now taking steps to address this issue, technology made it even easier for people to abuse others in ways no one could have imagined. Even after the content is removed, the digital footprint is permanent and continues to resurface and haunt those poor victims.Sadly, I do not feel like there is an appropriate upside to this problem yet; hopefully in the future.

Technological advancements over the past years have also made it overly possible to communicate with friends, family, and coworkers from all over the world. There are a ton of ways to do this in this day and age, like contacting someone through social media, online video conferences, and international messaging apps(like (like WhatsApp). I moved from Chicago to a border town (Nogales) in Arizona where most of my friends relied on that app to keep in contact with their families from Mexico.People have been able to cut through cultural and geographic barriers and bring family and millions of people together. There is no more relying on expensive calls (internationally or locally) or letters. However, this constant connection does have its negative issues, just like the other tools I mentioned. Like the mad world video we watched, this can allow users to keep seeking approval through likes, comments, and follows; social media platforms may promote superficial relationships. Feelings of uselessness and loneliness sometimes result from a need to maintain an idealized online persona. Additionally, the constant barrage of notifications and messages may divert our focus and impair our ability to focus on meaningful, face-to-face interactions. 

Lastly, technology completely transformed the way businesses sell products, allowing people and organizations to grow their brands bigger than ever online. A new business market has come up, providing opportunities to make money quicker. Anyone with a great or unique idea can start and grow a business and reach a global market, all thanks to social media campaigns, digital marketing, and e-commerce. 

To conclude, I think we as a society have had a complicated and most of the time, toxic relationship with technology. Even though technology does offer incredible unique opportunities for connection and entrepreneurship, it also has serious and troubling risks like harassment, misinformation, and privacy violations. I assume that in the future, it will be harder for people to find the best balance between using technology to do beneficial things and using it to cause or say destructive things. As the new generation of inventors keeps coming up with new ideas, we need to have better perspective and remember that technology should help people and not hurt them or kill them.

8 Values of Free expression

     Being an African American woman born and raised in the United States, the idea of free speech really speaks to me. Growing up and learning about the institutional racism and principles this country stood on always bothered me. The idea of free speech has always been important to me, especially when I think about how difficult it was for Black Americans and women, especially Black women, to use their right to free speech. I appreciate this value because I understand that it is rooted in personal realization. It lets individuals fully express themselves, make their own identities, and even connect with other people who share similar values.Freedom of speech has been at the center of important historic events for centuries.This is about everyone's right to live freely, talk about their problems, and essentially define themselves in society, which I think is a huge part of life.

    Writers on human liberty and freedom of expression, such as C. Edwin Baker, talk about the connection between the right to free speech and human growth. This country had denied women and Black people this basic right for hundreds of years. The goal was to silence us in this country for a long time, whether it was through the loss of our culture or the denial of our rights. As we know, during the time of slavery, Black people were not allowed to learn to read, write, or talk openly about their lives. The specific things that slaves needed to say or do to keep track of their pain and imagine a better future than the one they were living in were simply not allowed for them. 

    This disgusting abuse of power continued even throughout the Jim Crow era and after the end of slavery. After the Civil Rights Movement, people who spoke out against injustice dealt with extreme violence, threats, and even more problems with the law. It was basically a rebellion that put people in danger of talking about racism, inequality, and oppression in public for many years. During this time, a lot of Black people, especially Black women, had to fight not only for their civil rights but also for their freedom to say what they wanted and for their humanity. I will never forget when my dad would tell my sister and I how hounds were released at my great-grandmother and others as they marched for their basic rights.

    I am constantly aware that generations before me have fought for decades to secure the rights I have today. This makes speaking up easier for me every day. Black women like author and activist Audre Lorde and the first African American woman to vote in Congress, Shirley Chisholm, spoke out against racial and gender barriers meant to silence them. Black women faced more challenges in the fight for free speech because they had to address both racial justice and women's rights. 

    Being able to fully and freely express yourself was more than just a personal right. It was a revolutionary act. I consider the freedom to freely share my thoughts, feelings, and goals a basic concept, yet I remember the treatment my ancestors and others endured (mentally and physically) when they used this right. I owe my current freedom of speech to the people who bravely fought for it, which often resulted in horrific and dangerous circumstances. Being able to talk to people who share my views, express my words freely, and be open about my experiences as a Black woman makes me realize how important freedom of speech really is.

    When it comes to my values personally, free speech is not just important; it's a necessity. It helps me get around, find my place in the world, contribute my input on other issues, and support the fight for freedom and fairness that is still going on today.

EOTO1 Post

 

The amazing evolution of motion pictures did not grow how it did with the help of just one person or one mind. As I said in my presentation, many inventors helped lead to the discovery of finally getting it right after decades of people trying to figure out how to make motion happen through pictures. During the late 1800s, some of the first tries to make movies occurred.

Well-known American inventor Thomas Edison played a huge role in the process of making movies. In the 1880s, Edison had the genius idea to make the kinetoscope. It was built so that one single person could watch short pictures through a viewer that looked like a peephole,somewhat like a telescope. Edison built the first movie theater, but he didn't come up with the idea.

Two important men would come into the picture and change the world. The Lumière brothers were famous French scientists and engineers who had brilliant ideas. When Auguste went to an exhibit to see Thomas Edison's kinoscope, he knew he and his brother could make something even better. Remember when I said Edison’s invention was made to be seen by only one person at a time? Well, the Lumiere brothers set the idea that they wanted their invention to be able to be seen by a multitude of people at once because it was more convenient. This led to the Cinématographe being invented in 1895. This machine was the first of its kind at the time. It was a machine that not only recorded but also showed motion pictures. The Lumière brothers showed their motion pictures for the first time in public on December 28, 1895, in Paris after multiple private screenings before then. This was the first “movie” that was ever made. 

Because of the Lumière brothers important work, moving pictures could be seen on a screen for the very first time. A lot of things changed when movies came out. The movie business has changed the way art and stories were expressed forever. I could imagine, after such a long time of just reading stories without visuals, how exciting this must have been for people. This means that a huge number of people could share visual experiences at the same time. This genius idea brought people from all over the world together; it helped spread culture and information as well.

However, like mostly everything, there were some problems caused by these excellent concoctions. As movies got more popular, they eventually had the power to make issues like racism, sexism, violence, and negative ideas worse or better. A lot of different people started to worry that movies could be bad for kids or just in general. People thought it caused worries about how they would change society and the spread of bad ideas, and I can understand why they would think that. They also have spread good ideas and changed society in a good way.

Movies esentially changed the way people had fun and talked to each other all together. They helped to break down barriers while bringing people together in different ways through humor, fiction, and non-fiction films. For me, this is on my list of the top 10 inventions I couldn’t live without, and I appreciate all the geniuses who participated in its discovery.

Sources

• https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/very-short-history-of-cinema#:~:text=The%20first%20to%20present%20projected,film%20printer%20all%20in%20one.

Privacy

         The Ted talks I just watched made me even more uncomfortable about the environment we live in. One of the presentations covered how facial recognition and scanning license plate numbers make enormous volumes of personal data easily available to any person and people in power, like police officers. I do not like that a random person who trained for 26 weeks to be a police officer can know more about me than they should. One of the talks said even some retail stores can use this data to lure you in to buy items you like because they have access to that information. It's all around scary to consider that anyone can instantly locate you. I see how easily power can be misused, and I’m concerned that this technology might be used for harmful purposes. It is difficult to ignore the potential dangers when someone loses their privacy in government, business, or crime.

        Watching the recent Ted Talk really let me see the idea of digital domestic violence,especially the effect of revenge porn on women. Learning about the heavy psychological and emotional impact on victims was truly heartbreaking to me. It is upsetting to think that some people use the internet to hurt, control, and shame others. Hearing that many women endure pain quietly and cannot escape the consequences of another person's hate truly saddened me during the speech. 

The government definitely can do more to address these issues. They can simply do it if they work hard enough. Data security, facial recognition, and cyberbullying all need more responsibility and tougher policies that come with them. The government needs better and clearly more specific laws to protect victims of cybercrime and they also need to require businesses to respect people's privacy rights. This would most likely help prevent the misuse of technology. In the growing digital world, it is essential to prioritize people's safety and privacy.