EOTO 1 Reaction Post

During today’s lesson, I heard presentations from my HPU colleagues about the various types of communication that society has depended on over the last few hundred years. It was intriguing to learn the progress and history of the rise of communication and technology.  I found it fascinating how we transitioned from the telegram and the printing press, fundamental forms of communication, to more strategic and complex tools such as Google and the television. 

Some of my favorite topics are explained below.

Newspapers- It took a long time for newspapers to be what they are today. It all started in 59 BCE in Rome and later expanded and was handwritten before the invention of the printing press. In 1690, the first newspaper was introduced in the American colonies. From there, newspapers progressed and became more accessible in the mid-1800s. Now, newspapers are viewed online a lot of times and it is amazing to see how much this invention has progressed over time.

Television- I found it very interesting to hear about the history of this invention, especially the meaning of "over a distance." The first TV was invented in 1920 for educational purposes. Later, color TV was invented in the 1960's, followed by high-definition and plasma technology TV's. The progression is impressive and televisions today are still changing with newer inventions and vary in size. 

Paper- This was very interesting to me, I love hearing about older inventions, and I did not know how it was made before wood and recycled materials. In the B.C. era, resources such as clay tablets, papyrus, and silk were used. Today, we use paper all the time when viewing textbooks or newspapers. Paper is a very portable option and is used a lot in the Government for signing documents. It led to the rise of poetry and literature. It transformed how people communicated before the rise of communication via the iPhone. 

Carrier Pigeons- I thoroughly enjoyed this topic because it was something I knew very little about. The first use of communication in ancient times in Egypt. The Greeks used these for the Olympic games as well as being used in the Civil War to send messages to those in the front line. It is because of this invention that the radio and later advancements were created. 

Radio- As someone who listens to the radio in my car daily, I was very sad to hear the radio is on a decline as it is being taken over by platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Radio has moved from box radios to higher advancements such as in the car or even military communication. I learned that FM is a stronger connection and is easier to tune in rather than AM radio. It makes me think that car radios will not last much longer. But I do wonder, for military communication, if there will soon be an advancement in the radio or another way of communicating on the battlefield will come into effect and be invented. 

Protecting our Privacy

 

    Having seen various TED Talks on privacy and drawing from my existing knowledge, I realize these topics do have an impact on me. Every action I take is under surveillance and monitored. Varying from private phone calls to locating where I am. It is frightening that the government knows where we are, who we talk to, and what we are interested in. It is important to be aware of what you are doing, and what information we willingly give out. We need to be cautious that someone can access our information at any time. It is very sad that we doo not have privacy when it comes to being online and technology.

    In the first TedTalk, "Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo" by Juan Enriquez, he explains how tattoos are a way to tell stories. He compares body tattoos to electronic tattoos and how they both last forever. In simpler terms, anything you do online or on a phone is out there forever, just like a permanent body tattoo. This was a very helpful comparison that blew my mind! He also talks about how when we capture a picture on our mobile devices, it identifies each individual in the photo and even generates separate albums for your friends and family members within your camera roll. The facial recognition technology can identify the names of everyone in a photo you take and download all their records. That scares me!

    

    Another TedTalk that I watched by Catherine Crump, was "The small and surprisingly dangerous detail the police track about you". She discusses that tracking and surveillance is only increasing. The government is always tracking us even if we haven't done anything wrong. She referenced automatic license plate readers as an example, explaining how local police forces maintain records of every plate and your location. They can monitor your destination to which you are headed and your companions who are with you. Even if you haven’t done anything wrong, they still keep all the records. Whether it's going to a private doctor's appointment or even to where you work or your house, they can see every move you make. This is so frightening and alarming! The government does not even need this information especially if you have done nothing to harm anyone!

    To protect ourselves from the government, we need to be aware at all times and watch what we do and say. Although that is sad and unfortunate that we have to even think about that, it is true. You cannot get away with anything, someone is always watching. Watching these TedTalks was very alarming and eye-opening for me, It is alarming to think about technology's power and the government's access to it. I'm grateful we learned about this subject so that I can be aware of various measures I can take to avoid constant tracking, like turning my phone off. Being knowledgeable about this issue and knowing the risks associated with social media and the fact that nothing you share online is truly private. This matter impacts me, and everyone else and we must act and be aware all of the time. 

Eight Values of Free Expression

    It is because of the First Amendment that we have many privileges such as freedom of speech and the Eight Values of Free Expression. Over the last few weeks in Media Law and Literacy, we have learned how crucial this is for all American citizens. The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Eight Values of Free Expression include 

1) Marketplace of Ideas which involves discovering the truth.

2) Participation in Self-government which allows free speech for candidates in elections.

3) Stable Change which prevents unnecessary violence allowing citizens to vent their problems which results in more stability. 

4) Individual Self-Fulfilment which allows for free expression ultimately allowing individuals to create their own identities. 

5) Check on Governmental Power allows for checks and balances to prevent the abuse of governmental power. 

6) Promote Tolerance allows individuals to become more tolerant.

7) Promote Innovation where free speech allows citizens to be more creative allowing for a more diverse and interesting society. 

8) Promote Dissent which allows you to disagree with the government and other citizens.

Stable Change:

    All of these stood out to me and resonated with me in some way but the one that I connected with the most was stable change. Stable change enables citizens to express their thoughts freely or "vent." It has been demonstrated that citizens allowed to voice their opinions tend to be more stable and less inclined to violence. One instance that comes to mind is demonstrations or protests. Citizens are permitted to "vent" and express their opinions through non-violent protests under the First Amendment. This supports the concept of stable change by permitting citizens to express their opinions freely without leading to violence. The government must offer pathways for citizens to voice their opinions and practice free speech in order to guarantee that the protests are peaceful and constructive to where it does not get uncontrollably out of hand. 

I see this happen a lot today. Especially in big cities such as Washington D.C. or New York City where politics play a big role in those cities. Although I have never been apart of a protest, I have watched many, and all have been peaceful and have signs and megaphones and citizens start chanting and rallying around the city. This is a super important freedom because it allows citizens of the United States to voice their opinions in a peaceful way. Some examples that I have seen protests of including women's rights, wages, and black lives matter.

Individual Self Fulfillment:

    The most important freedom I learned about is the individual self-fulfillment freedom. When individuals can express themselves freely, it establishes the way for a variety of perspectives. The significance of self-fulfillment for individuals highlights the importance of free speech in a diverse society. For me, I am always aware of making sure that my views and beliefs align with my identity.   To express yourself correctly, it is essential to ensure that you are conscious of your thoughts and views. This freedom is very important to me and something I am very thankful for because I like to voice my own opinion and without this freedom, it would be very difficult to be who I am. 

    Without the First Amendment, or any of these Eight Values of Expression, it would be impossible to voice your opinion or what matters most to you and we would not have freedom of speech or any of these rights. It permits a society filled with diverse people, with varying viewpoints to express themselves, and fosters a more engaging way of life. After learning about these in depth I realized how blessed I am to live in the United States of America and have these privileges. 

 

EOTO-1: The First Internet Browser

    Computers were already being used for communication and data storage before the creation of the first Internet browser, but the majority of the information was divided into separate systems. Researchers and scientists required a simple approach for exchanging and retrieving data across various computer networks. British scientist Tim Berners-Lee identified this problem and suggested a solution while employed at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland.

History:

 The first web browser, called World Wide Web, was created in 1990 by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee. He developed the browser as part of his bigger vision for the World Wide Web which was launched in 1991. The first internet browser (Mosaic) was launched in 1993 and exploded of popularity. He built the WorldWideWeb browser on a NeXT computer. The browser allowed users to view and edit web pages. 

    From there, many different browsers sparked, leading to a rapid evolution in web browsing technology. Such as Mosaic and Netscape Navigator. The first website, info.cern.ch, was launched, providing information about the World Wide Web and how to set up a web server and browser. This exploratory site was a wonderful way for users to get familiar with this new form of technology.

    The first successful web browser was Mosaic, created in 1993 by Marc Andreessen and a group at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). Mosaic made the web more accessible to the general public by introducing a simple-to-use graphical user interface with text, graphics, and hyperlinks. The starting point for future developments was established by this browser.

Impact:

    A new era of worldwide connectivity was made possible by the web browser. Email, social networking, instant messaging, and video conferencing all become popular as a result, and they have completely changed how people communicate. Geographical limits are no longer an obstacle to instant communication between individuals and businesses. The web browser became very beneficial and even started companies like Amazon and eBay because of this new virtual platform that was convenient. 

    The web browser has significantly impacted media, politics, and society. It made it possible for digital media to flourish and for news to be delivered instantly. Immediate event planning and information exchange have fueled social movements and activism. Additionally, streaming services, online discussion boards, and digital content distribution have transformed the entertainment industries including gaming, music, and movies.

If it weren’t for the creation of the first web browser and the first web page, the development of platforms like Google might not have been possible. Google was built upon this foundation, using algorithms to organize the vast information accessible on the web. Without the first browser enabling people to access the World Wide Web, companies like Google would have had no data to index or search. 

Conclusion:

    Tim Berners-Lee's development of the first web browser was a breakthrough in the history of technology. He established the foundation for the internet's widespread implementation and expansion by creating a system that made it easy for anyone to share and access information. Web browsers now play a crucial role in everyday life, impacting how people communicate, learn, and conduct business. The significance of the first web browser is still a significant turning point in the digital age, even as technology develops further.

The U.S. Supreme Court- Blog Post 2

    

As a citizen of the United States, it is crucial to understand the significance of the Supreme Court. It is the highest court in the federal judiciary. In the Supreme Court, nine justices review petitions from lawyers, prisoners, and others, and all petitions are given equal consideration. Part I and Part II of the two videos I viewed gave me a thorough understanding of how it handles the most important cases in the country.

   

 While watching, I was amazed to learn that there are 7,000 cases per year. Newly arrived petitions are sent to the justices just once a week. Also, I learned that each justice is responsible for deciding each case with very little assistance at hand. A fun fact that I learned is that before every meeting, each justice shakes the other's hand, which shows professionalism between colleagues.  

 

      The biggest takeaway from this is how big of an impact the nine Supreme Court judges have on American's lives. Their role is crucial because American citizens look to them and trust them. The judges must be very precisely informed and engaged as to what is going on in the world as well as the particular case at hand. They are trusted with a lot of responsibility because of the power that they hold. As a citizen, we must take a careful look at how they act and respond because the result of their actions will affect our own lives and future. 

    

While engaging in these videos, I was shocked to find out that throughout the American history of the Supreme Court, since 1789, there have only been a little over a hundred justices. That number shocked me because I thought it would be way higher over all these years. Each serves an average of 16 years, which is a remarkable number. It is wonderful to see that the Supreme Court justices want to stay for a long time and are passionate about their role and this huge responsibility and challenge that they take on. 

      Having watched these videos, I am truly impressed by the intricate process and hard work that is involved in the functioning of the Supreme Court. I now hold the system in high regard and appreciate the benefits and dedication it offers to the American people. I have gained a new respect for our nine justices who guide our nation every year because it is not an easy task, and they have done a remarkable job. 

My Top 5 News Sources- Blog Post #1

 When it comes to staying in the know or finding out about new information, facts, or breaking news, I rely on a few different sources, spending on what the topic is. Below is my top 5 news sources that I get my information from. 

1. Instagram 

    While Instagram might not be the most reliable and trustworthy source, it is usually the first platform I go to to receive information about my favorite sports team, or breaking news dealing with a celebrity, etc. I usually find out about news events through Instagram and then go to a more credible source to get the full story. Another thing I love about Instagram is that it gives visuals such as video's, and pictures, without having to read a full article. It is great for sports because it gives instant clips and updates without watching the full game. It is my go to to find out what is happening or trending, and then I read a news report on the topic. 

 2. ESPN

    As a big sports fan, I am constantly checking and getting updates from ESPN with updates from all of my favorite players and sports teams. ESPN is great for not just watching games live but also getting fast updates and alerts for when I am not available to tune into the whole game. I like that it is 24/7 and I can always access player trades or latest score updates. 

3. WSLS 10 News

   

 When it comes time to local news in my hometown of Roanoke Virginia, I turn to WSLS 10. This provides me with everything that I need to know when I am back home. Such as traffic reports, weather, school closings, local politics, breaking news updates etc. It keeps me plugged in with information that I need to know. It is reliable and relevant of events that directly effect me in my area. Also, it gives me a sense of familiarity because I am so used to those local news reporters. 

4. FOX News

    When educating myself on current national and international news, I tune into Fox News because it aligns with my political views. It is helpful with everything going on in the United States, as well as across the nation. It is a conservative perspective, which I enjoy hearing from that side of politicians and their opinions. Growing up, this is what my family listened to, so I have continued to use this news source for myself. It is a very convenient platform because I can watch it live on TV or receive updates on the app on my phone. 

   5. NBC News

    NBC News is another one of my go-to sources when checking for the latest breaking news. I trust them as a reliable source, and it is a great balance no matter what party you associate with. I enjoy their evening news broadcast as it is a great recap of the day's biggest events. It is also great for worldwide and national news. I also enjoy the convenience of the app and I can have all of the news updates at my fingertips. 

Conclusion

    My variety of news sources keeps me up to date on everything from local news to national sports and world affairs. Instagram provides short, immediate updates, whilst ESPN, NBC, FOX News and WSLS 10 provide more in-depth coverage of the most significant developments. This blend allows me to be well-rounded in how I receive news.