Blog #12. Technology: Healthy or Not? Perhaps Both

Premature forms of technology used in the Stone Age

In our juvenile world, technology has rapidly grown alongside us. You think of things like the Internet, mobile devices, cars, and such, however, the term "technology" itself had a different meaning dating back to the 1600s. Examining the etymology of the word technology, it was originally described as the "systematic treatment of an art, craft, or technique." Check out this LINK to read more on the origins of technology. Millions of years ago, cavemen were the first to introduce "technology" like the necessity for clothing, the utilization of fires, and even things such as shelter, can be considered technology. Today, our perception of technology differs quite a bit. 

Along with the creation of the Internet in the late 20th century came an abundance of developing technology. Not long before, every individual who had access to a search engine began using it for more than it was originally intended. The Internet helps us research, find answers to our questions, communicate, and connect with the rest of the world; all excellent uses of technology. What we failed to understand before this significant rise in technology were the many unintended consequences. New generations have introduced terms along with the development of our iPhone platforms, with our favorite social media applications. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are all major hubs of online exposure. Terms like catfish, hashtag, and even selfie have all been added to the English Dictionary. Although what seemed to be a harmless approach resulted in major consequences. The intention behind social media was to help people connect and share aspects of their lives with family and friends. It was not long before people began abusing said platforms for the purpose of their own personal benefit. "Cyberbullying" was an up-and-coming term in the early 2000s, and it remains an issue to this day. Technology has helped humans attack each other from behind their screens, which, at face value, is a concern. 

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) was an outstanding accomplishment for humanity. The genesis of artificial intelligence lies in our quest to replicate the cognitive capabilities of humans. We lean toward artificial for its efficiency and affirmation of content. It presents information in seconds and tailors to our own personal needs. AI was designed to counteract human error. However, there is only so much technology can provide for us. It is worth considering that while artificial intelligence can operate rather quickly and continuously without fatigue, the overall impact could be entirely more damaging than we imagined. If you are curious to know how AI functions, check out this ARTICLE. 

Artificial intelligence presents several problems, some of which contradict ethical reasoning. Perhaps the most obvious concern is the major loss of employment. Humans have used their hands since the dawn of time, but machines are continuing to replace manual labor, putting many in an undesirable position. This shift may also require an entire rebrand of training tailored to new developments in technology.  

In recent years, the use of AI, primarily ChatGPT, has caused a number of concerns within the classroom. AI directly interjects with academic integrity and instigates the practice of cheating. With easy access to this technology, there is essentially no need nor drive for students to use their own minds, hence their failing to perform ethically in school. This is the perspective future generations will grow up with, with the notion that artificial intelligence has all the answers. There may be an over-reliance on artificial intelligence, and it makes me anxious to see how humans will succumb to the unintended disservice of technology.  

The simple nature of copy & paste

Humans must figure out how to balance innovation with ethical considerations so that we can hinder the progression of these consequences, all while sustaining our access to unparalleled technology. The accomplishments of technology are irrefutable. The very creation of the Internet, in my personal opinion, is the most significant invention of our time. But like everything else, there is also undoubtedly a plethora of ramifications. Despite the concerns, technology has done a good service to humanity.   

                    

EOTO 2 Reax. Blog #11 [Confirmation Bias]

Confirmation Bias is present in nearly every aspect of life. Most stand on behalf of their own beliefs, but it is up to that individual to either use certain information to their own personal advantage or use information in an educational regard that may not necessarily align with their beliefs. Bias, in the name, refers to the favoring of one's opinion, and the tendency to persuade others to align themselves with said opinion or idea. Seeking out information to support one's idea prevents exposure to alternate perspectives. A post on SimpleWeb proposes that "...confirmation bias is an inherent part of the human brain" which in turn, may indicate how the favoring of one's opinion is a subconscious cognitive action. 

Confirmation bias can be used strategically, and utilized to market toward a particular audience. In marketing, for example, one may refer to confirmation bias to make more precise decisions and advertising tactics. Preexisting beliefs may help a marketer propose information that already aligns with the vast majority, and dismiss evidence or information that counteract those beliefs. 

Despite the few benefits of confirmation bias, it is commonly referred to as a general cognitive flaw. It blinds an individual from receiving a clear view of things. In a post on Medium, various examples of conversation bias are at play. A major source of confirmation bias is demonstrated in politics.

Public Advocacy Against Climate Change

In 2024, the United States population is severely divided solely based on two political perspectives; conservative and liberal ideologies. A person who agrees with left-leaning policies may primarily seek out sources and other individuals who also adopt those policies, and vice versa. Or someone who disagrees with the notion of climate change may deliberately fail to acknowledge the scientific facts supporting it. 

As seen in law enforcement time and time again, confirmation bias drives a significant impact on the justice system. Various criminal cases involving minority populations, are more often than not swayed by the unethical manner of using specifically-chosen pieces of evidence to influence public opinion. A person of Latin or African American origins for example, may experience an unfair trial solely due to their origins. 

The tendency to favor information that aids one's belief or argument leads to the projection of misinformation. To counteract confirmation bias, practice tracking things down to the source, ensure that you are hearing every side of the story, and understand the information yourself before altering your opinion. 

Although unethical measures are often unavoidable, always do your research, and learn to understand things before promoting them. 

Antiwar Blog #9

War has dominated the world since the dawn of time. I came across a post on "The Museum Junkie" which contained a quote that resonated a lot with me. It reads as follows: "...there is a fundamental human need not only to be unique but to be a part of something larger than yourself. Though we are separate individuals, we are part of the total cosmos and not apart from anything else." This theory applies to everything, including the powerful figures who rule the nations around the world. Governments are money-hungry and drive the surge of war all throughout the population. Something worth considering is how there are seemingly little to no public voices in opposition to war. Let's take a deeper look. 

Think about the last time you heard, or even read the news. What kind of information was presented? Who was presenting it? Did it align with the general consensus? In this day and age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find valid information that can be sufficiently backed with evidence. Along with this, individuals preaching "antiwar" movements are often censored, and obscured from public view. As a result, extra measures are often needed to locate said sources. Deep-web searching, comment sections, or key-word searching may need to be practiced just to find political perspectives behind antiwar. 

ANTIWAR.com is a database containing a wide variety of politically oppositional content. A post entitled "Biden is Sleepwalking Toward War in Ukraine and The Middle East" reads much differently than the average post you might see on CNN or The New York Times for example. In these more obscure news sources, the dialogue is embellished with opinionated comments, but also harnesses a great wave of influence amongst viewers as writers like to include a personal touch to their writing. 

Ongoing war in Ukraine [2024]

Articles under antiwar platforms can implement a sense of humor, to almost "poke fun" at the situation and make the opposing perspective appear, well, plain foolish. Phrases like: "...the Biden administration has seemed incapable of speaking up for America's interest..." and, from "The American Conservative" site, "Vance had a stronger closing pitch, too." There are certain terms within the text that insinuate a particular bias. 

There are numerous sources out there written by antiwar activists, the issue is that they are not easily located online. When you search for "antiwar" in a search engine, the recommended sources are often unrelated to the content you were originally looking for. Instead, it may take extra steps to find "antiwar" voices. 

"Antiwar" voices are suppressed and may even experience a prior restraint while preventing certain individuals from spreading their beliefs online.  Media ownership, political and economic interests, and editorial biases all play a role in the censorship of antiwar propaganda. 

The Government undeniably loves war. The question is why? The outcomes of war can result in technological and economic advancements, but also a higher economic status ranking amongst the countries. Then, of course, there are the less morally driven benefits like revenge, acquisition of land, and the central support of Nationalism. Many citizens strongly identify with their own nation and believe that said nation maintains superiority over others. 

Nazi Nationalist Propaganda in WW11

 Considering the motives, it is easier to understand the   nature of the Government. That is not to say that their     corrupt motives are ethical in any regard, in fact, they     emphasize how the Government is nearly violating the   1st Amendment. The "Freedom of Speech" is limited   as antiwar voices remain in the dark. However, this     corruption also contradicts the "Freedom for Petition"   grants Americans the right to oppose. 

 We know the nature of the Government, and we know it is untrustworthy. So next time you seek out information, go past the mainstream sources and take a deeper dive to find the sources that are less popularized. 

EOTO1 Technology Reaction: The Ball Point Pen Blog #7

The Ballpoint pen, a writing tool relied upon by millions worldwide, has a surprisingly long history that dates back to over a century. An article on BBC, "The Cheap Pen that Changed Writing Forever," claims that American man, John J Loud, was the initial creator of the Ballpoint pen. Before this, ink and quill were the primary method of composing literature. In 1888, Loud introduced the idea of a writing utensil that would be able to make a mark on rougher surfaces, but more as an efficient way to write, far simpler, and faster. 

A close-up of the Ballpoint Pen

The mechanics of the pen are quite simple and only involve simple internal structures. According to a reading from Goldspot, "The Ballpoint Mechanisms," the pen contains 3 major components: the barrel, the ink, and the cartridge. The barrel holds the components of the pen, while the cartridge stores the ink. While using the pen, the ink shifts from the inside of the pen to the exterior (a given surface) with the movement of a miniature ball at the tip of the pen. The force of gravity pulls the ink down to the exterior side. 

The invention of the Ballpoint pen was strategic in light of its effectiveness. The pen itself was easy to design, easy to manufacture, and cost-efficient. Aside from a business point of view, the pen is easy for users as well. They are clean and fail to make a mess like ink can, they are disposable, easily accessible, and long-lastingly convenient. Along with Loud's invention, came new possibilities for communication. Pens aid us in all regards of literature, and help us to communicate what cannot be told through verbal mannerisms. Now it is possible to say this about the Ink and Quil method as well, however, the Ballpoint pen made it far simpler to write from any location with only the use of one plastic tool rather than several utensils at a time. 

However, for as brilliant as they are, Ballpoint pens do induce environmental threats. In 2024, the global waste accumulation is exceeding faster than we can maintain. A brief statistics chart provided by Statista shows a chart depicting the rapid rate of waste production ranging from the 80s to the current day. The rising numbers are substantial, and some worry whether simple devices like the Ballpoint pen (plastics) can further contribute to this ecological danger. The average pen is made of plastic, a major source of our waste. It is worth considering just how much this writing utensil realistically plays a role in trash production. 

Increase in various waste producers over the last 40 years

For what seems like an insignificant invention, the Ballpoint pen has proved its worth as it remains a commonly-used product over a century later. 

The Age of A.I. Blog #5

The growth of technology is rapid. Back when Siri was introduced by Apple over a decade ago, the idea of a digital personal assistant was never a prevalent concept. In today's day, it is difficult to experience a single day without encountering Artificial Intelligence. The speakers in our mobile devices are also microphones that monitor every minute of our lives. A.I. helps its users in numerous ways, increases efficiency, and can provide results within seconds. Although, to no surprise, artificial intelligence poses several threats to our world. 

Frontline on PBS, made a documentary entitled "The Age of A.I.," where it speaks on the pressing issue of unemployment. Job loss is exceeding the normal rates as in previous years as machines dominate manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and any previous form of manual labor. Molly Kinder, featured in the video, highlights how women disproportionately fill the position of jobs at risk of automation. It is possible to consider how the male-to-female ratio in the workforce may be skewed in upcoming years. 

The documentary also discusses the increasing gap between the upper class and the lower class. The gap is so dramatic that the middle class is beginning to dissolve as the drive between the rich and poor enlarges. 

The widening gaps between the economic classes
The acceleration rate of development in artificial intelligence draws distinct lines between classes, and this may further polarize the United States.

Another concern regards our privacy. Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It surveils every action, emotion, every like and dislike, interests, conversations, appearance, and these are only several examples. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, paid an astounding $5 billion dollars after failing to protect millions of Facebook users' privacy online. This made many users refrain from using the platform until he guaranteed protection from privacy violation. Frontline's documentary examines the technological practices in China in current day. It is said that there are nearly just under 700 million cameras on surveillance in which the Chinese government has access to. These cameras have the capacity to pick up facial and body movement, and uses every bit of information about any person to help make predictions to advertise back to said person. 
Artificial intelligence is raising concerns for many as people begin to recognize the true nature of mass surveillance. It makes you wonder what the world will look like 10 or even 50 years from now. 

Smith-Mundt & Smith-Mundt Modernization Blog #10 EOTO Pres.

In 1948, the U.S. to action to enforce a domestic ban that would prevent the American Government from disseminating the propaganda that was intended for foreign audiences only. Promoting America's image was the primary focus, and to position ourselves in a positive image. The Smith-Mundt Act was established in the 40s and it helped aid the Government in international exchange, which involved a variety of things. Education, culture, policies, morals, and democracy; all central ideologies of the Western Hemisphere. Aside from its original purpose of counteracting Soviet propaganda, the Smith-Mundt site itself stresses that the act prevented the U.S. government from disseminating that very same propaganda within the nation. In a positive light, the act protected Americans from the Government's use of propaganda tactics that could potentially influence or sway their morals. 

U.S. Propaganda During Cold War

Years following its establishment, the Internet was invented in the late 60s into the early 70s. The Internet provided many Americans access to Government-issued material, and many people took advantage of this. Many were in agreement that the Smith-Mundt law was outdated, and so it was time for reform. 

The law was overturned back in July of 2013 when President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act. Governing organizations can broadcast their content throughout the entire nation. Sources like the BBC (Broadcasting Board of Governors) are now major distributors of informative media. 

It is worth considering the effect this may have on the general population. The Modernization Act may implicate the current understanding that it is hard to limit and control digital content and who receives it. Instead, it aligns with the fact that Americans likely already have access to content posted by users in foreign countries. The act promotes transparency and can help prevent misinterpretation and general belief amongst the population as misinformation is often easily spread. 

The most anticipated effect is the spread of Government propaganda. The primary purpose behind the 1948 Smith-Mundt Act was to limit the spread of Gov't propaganda in the United States, but rather to promote those policies and ideologies to the countries in the East. An article posted on the Daily Signal stresses that many citizens are worried that Government agencies will utilize this power to promote their propaganda to greater extremes. 

The Modernization Act may also induce a greater division in the masses. The United States is experiencing a state of disorder, socially, economically, and politically, and policies no longer align. Unfiltered content could harm national unity if it promotes divisive policies, segregational motives, or any type of media that can drive a wedge in the population. Specific minority groups such as LGBTQ individuals, and Asian, Latin, or African American populations may feel intentionally targeted by whatever Government-issued propaganda is broadcasted. 

2024 Election Propaganda

There may be a large group of people who have no opinions on the Smith-Mundt Modernization Law in which they believe they are not directly affected, while there are likely others who may feel strongly on the issue. Every individual is different, some monitor the news, and some choose not to. The Smith-Mundt Modernization law may only affect those who allow it to.

The Internet Diffusion Theory Blog #8

 The Diffusion Theory is an idea designed to demonstrate how new ideologies and technology develop through a given population. Several posts ago I talked about the invention of the Internet, and I emphasized the major impact this technology made, globally. The development of the Internet serves as an excellent representation of this theory; let's analyze the theory. 

Picture a hill, a peak with an upward slope, and a downward slope. 

The first step in the Theory of Diffusion  refers to the "pioneers" or those who primarily drive the idea into the spotlight. In the late 50s, a group of intelligent men, including J.C.R. Licklider, a then well-known computer scientist, were toying around with the idea of an interconnected global network that would help aid Government researchers. However, it took several years for the technology itself to surface. This group of engineers represents the "pioneers" on the scale of the Diffusion theory. 

Then came the early adopters, those who began using the technology for the purpose for which the technology was initially invented. These users were utilizing the Internet system to send information to other users to simplify the process of communication over vast distances. At this time, the majority of the public had refrained from using the Internet, seeing as the primary purpose of the technology was not intended for domestic and recreational use. 

In the 70s, came the early majority, the next step in the Theory of Diffusion. The concept of the Internet began to gain traction for most, and it became quite popular among its users. A post linked below that talks about the 5 stages of technology suggests that approximately 34% represented the early majority users of the Internet. In the late 20th century, it was difficult for the average person to spend a large sum of money on a product that they were unsure whether it even worked or not. Realistically, the majority of those who favored the Internet at the time were likely wealthy individuals who had the luxury of purchasing something of such quality. The Five Stages of Technology

The following stage in the Theory of Diffusion is the late majority. It is around this time, the late 70s to 80s, in which the majority of the population had begun to use the Internet. It became such a worldwide necessity once the technology itself was modified to adapt to any user's needs or desires. Messaging, forwarding, or any form of communication was available to any individual, which made it difficult to visualize a world without the Internet.

The resulting stage in the Theory of Diffusion is the "Laggard" stage which represents (in this case) a group of those who unwillingly choose to adopt the Internet. Typically older generations like the Baby Boomers, or Gen X, reject the concept of technology altogether, however, many succumb to the world of technology as they require new ways of communication to connect with family and friends. 

As a finishing bit to the theory, there is a coined phrase called "the Long Tail" which represents those who simply never hop on the bandwagon. Figures in their 80s and 90s are more likely than the majority to avoid the Internet to maintain their traditional morals. However, this population of individuals is very slim. 

It is safe to claim that the Internet holds such an incredibly valuable position in today's world.