Artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence 

 Artificial Intelligence, or A.I, refers to systems or machines that mimic human intelligence based on the information they collect. 

In today's society we are surrounded by A.I, not only in person but in our online presence as well. Technology can be good living in the Digital Age, but when too much power is involved, it's often more scary. 

Big companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Instagram, etc., are not only providing with us with mainstream media, however they are hiding something from us: privacy. Every person has the legal right to privacy in which people have the right to be free from unwarranted publicity, the unwarranted appropriation or exploitation of one’s personality, the publicizing of one’s private affairs with which the public has no legitimate concern, or, the wrongful intrusion into one’s private activities in such manner as to outrage or cause mental suffering, shame or humiliation to a person of ordinary sensibilities. However, this is simply no longer the case. 

Not only has artificial intelligence taken over many basic human jobs, but it seems as though if no one is stopping them. The most scary aspect of The Age of A.I, is that we thought we were searching Google, however, little did we know that Google is actually searching us, too. 

Elon Musk issued a friendly warning saying "A.I is far more dangerous than nukes... it's capable of vastly more than almost anyone knows". 

It is know that there are 7 dangerous risks of A.I including automation-spurred jobs less, privacy violations, 'deep fakes', algorithmic bias caused by bad data, socioeconomic inequality, market volatility, and weapons automatization. As A.I grows more sophisticated the voices warning against its current and future pitfall grows louder.

Blog post 7

TED TALKS 

After watching the ted talk videos and hearing that apps I use daily don’t keep my privacy and data safe definitely freaked me out. In the first Ted talk which was presented by Juan Enriquz he talks about how our social media platforms are like a digital tattoo. The digital tattoo is basically everything you post, search up and what you view can be found by anyone. What scared me the most was hearing that if you were in the background of a photo someone could easily find you by using a facial recognition app. This affects me personally because it's a total invasion of privacy and none of my personal social media activity is private. 

Juan Enriquz’s ted talk was interesting and very easy to understand. He used the Greeks as examples to explain the results on negative effects of social media. For example he used Atalanta and Hippomenes and how they raced each other. Atalanta always won the race against her opponents but got rather distracted when Hippomenes kept rolling gold balls. This was a good example because it shows how we all get so caught up and distracted with social media we tend not to realize the bigger picture and what's actually going on within these media platforms. 

The same concept goes with Catherine Crumps  talk about how fast the police can know information and how they get it. Her whole talk is based around the protest in Ferguson, Missouri and hoe equipment and technology that is supposed to be used on the battlefield is now making its way into the lives of ordinary citizens. 

Today you can’t even drive your car and have privacy. The government has used license plate cameras that take pictures and overall track where you have been, what you are doing, and even who you are with. The sad thing is, is that the government isn't doing anything when it comes to the issue because they are in on it. 

Christopher Sogohoian  gives a TED talk on “How to Avoid Surveillance”. He explains that our telephone networks were first and foremost wired for surveillance. This has turned into a problem because now anyone could be listening in to our phone calls; the government, criminals, hackers, or stalkers. Apple has said that by using iMessage, FaceTime, and WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, has put in strong encryption to make it very hard to wiretap. He makes a point to say that because there is no specific “criminals laptop” or “terrorist laptop” that in order to have surveillance over them, they have to have surveillance on everyone which obviously comes at a cost. 

Lastly, in Darieth Chisolm’s  Ted talk, she talks about how she was a victim of having explicit photos of her posted all over the internet without her consent, known as cyber harassment, but she wants it to be known as digital domestic violence or revenge porn. She explains that there is a major lack of legislation to adequately protect victims and punish perps. The only thing out there right now is fines for the perpetrators. These victims are suffering and it is financially, emotionally, and physically draining to try and fight it in court. 

Overall, these TED talks show how dangerous the internet can be and we have to do everything we can to protect ourselves and everyone around us. 

Blog post 9

Diffusion Of Innovation 

 Diffusion of Innovation Theory is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system. 

When thinking of a technology that would fit well into the Diffusion Theory, I immediately thought of the Apple IPhone. The first Iphone came out in 2007 and it is a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communicator. The widespread adoption of the IPhone embodies many of the network and sociology principles in the diffusion theory. 

The adoption curve that Apple made to show the diffusion of innovation: 

Innovators – the risk takers, willing to deal with setbacks related to time, money and effort. They seed a diffusion process and contribute to the curve about 2.5 %. These are people who wanted to get the IPhone at its initial launch. They mark the beginning or the stage of product development in a picture of the phones. The already loyal Apple customers were informed through emails messages about the launch before it was actually launched. The rest of the customers in the innovators strata were targeted by PR’s, blogs and buzz marketing.

Early adopters: also called opinion leaders, and also change agents as they are responsible for fueling the diffusion process; they constitute about 13.5 %. In terms of plc graph these are the consumers located on the introductory stage. Targeted after launch through strategies like printed media, blogs-industrial forums, apple fan club, TV ads , banner ads, interactive ads, outdoor media, exhibitions, social media- like Facebook and Instagram. 

Early majority: the cautious ones depending on the experience of the early adopters and contribute to about 34% of the graph. They are located in the growth stage of the cycle. 

Late majority: are also skeptical and cautious, respond to peer pressure and society and contribute the same amount as the early majority does. 

Laggards: the last movers, who adopt the technology when the technology has become a tradition of a kind and contribute to about 16% of the graph. They are usually located around the declining stage of a product.

The IPhone was not fully adopted overnight, however, it took over the cell phone market unlike any other phone manufacturer worldwide. This high rate of adoption and spread in diverse network environments suggests that there is a low threshold, which is directly relevant to the speed and effectiveness of diffusion in varying cluster densities. 

` I personally feel its international launch strategy was commendable. It accelerated its adoption rate as is apparent by the application of the diffusion of innovation curve by applying the right marketing mix to satisfy the perceived attributed within the diffusion model and by way of advertisements that it used to target the innovators, early adopters and early majority- it used the push and pull strategy- promoting product by full spectrum advertising. 

Sherman AntiTrust Act

 Kendall Krasinski 

For the last EOTO I researched the Sherman Antitrust Act. This act was created due to the people in charge of these big corporations would be making a lot of money and making it impossible for other businesses to compete. As a result of this the smaller companies would either have to shut down or be bought out by their competitors. This became a serious problem due to the monopolies having so much power they were able to do as they pleased with their companies. Such as under paying employees and creating high prices that they knew people would pay since they were desperate. These companies knew that if they were the only ones selling a certain product that they could price it as high as they wished because people wouldn’t be able to get it from elsewhere. Their economic power was only hurting society. 

Finally in 1890 the Sherman Antitrust act was passed. This law prohibited companies from merging into monopolies with the hopes of promoting fair competitions among businesses. It was passed in the 1980’s by congress to reduce the concerns of economic fairness and the transportation of goods across states borders. The Sherman Antitrust Act wasn’t very specific which made it confusing for those to understand what the law truly meant. Although The Sherman Act failed it did have positives while it was still a law. For example with this law in place congress was able to regulate trade and end the monopolistic practices. This helped smaller business grow and we’re given the opportunity to have fair competition with other companies. 

In 1914 the Sherman Antitrust Act was replaced by the Clayton Antitrust Act. The Clayton Act used the same ideas as the Sherman Act but just specified what the law truly meant and what was suppose to be upheld. In the article I had read it stated “The Sherman Act only declared monopolies illegal while the Clayton act prohibits anticompetitive mergers, predatory and discriminatory pricing, and other forms of unethical corporate behavior” (Investopida). What I found is that the main reason for these acts in the first place was to make sure businesses were acting correctly and being fair to their employees and their competitors. The Clayton Antitrust Act is still in place today and does a great deal for our society.

I enjoyed researching the Sherman Antitrust Act because it is something I have heard about but never truly know what it meant and entailed. It was so interesting to research and hear that some companies today have lawsuits against them due to this law. I believe this law is useful and helpful for the economy and society.

The history of the radio

 The Radio 

As someone who has an old car the radio is something I’m very familiar with. Especially all the good stations. I love listening to music as well as tuning in to comical radio shows. It was very intriguing to hear about the history of something I use daily. I found out that Guglielmo Macroni paved the way with his prototype that everyone builded off of to get where we are today. Reginald Fessenden who was a scientist was the first person to figure out how to transmit a human voice onto the radio. Hearing the radio today I don’t think twice about the logistics that went into making it. It never crossed my mind that someone needed to figure out how to get a human voice to transmit into the radio for others to listen. The first human voice on radio came out Christmas eve of 1906. The new invention was shocking to people. The thought of communicating with thousands of people from having your voice streamed through a box was foreign to society. A new era began where people not only were hearing news and music broadcasted but people started having entertaining talk shows through the radio. Which today is more commonly known as a podcast. This invention made it easier for those to get the news instead of news companies printing out thousands of newspapers. This made it easier and more efficient to relay world wide news. When you walk into stores, cars and restaurants you can thank radios for the catchy music playing. It’s crazy how much went into the creation of something that seems so normal and basic. 

Anti-war

 Anti-War 

In visiting these websites I have found a very different side to the news then I’ve seen broadcasted on television and in online articles. I believe this is is because what news outlets would publish would show their bias opinion towards the matter. 

I read into the website “The News Media and the Antiwar Movement” and found many reasons as to why writers and broadcaster don’t discuss anti-war in the news. One of the reasons that I felt made a lot of sense to me was that even if these writers aren’t super patriotic if they come off as such it doesn’t do well with their sponsors, viewers and careers. In todays society saying something that one person doesn’t agree with or finds disrespectful could put you in a position of being “cancelled”. Being “cancelled” in todays day and age can in simple terms ruin your life. These people have worked their whole lives for the opportunities they have today and families they need to support. Hence why many reporters don’t cover such a topic. 

I also read into the website “Antiwar.com”. They had a-lot to say about this topic and it was interesting being able to see this side since its not broadcasted in the media. In the about us section they state “the editors take seriously our purely journalistic mission, which is to get past the media filters and reveal the truth about America's foreign policy. Citing a wide variety of sources without fear or favor, and presenting our own views”. This says how they give the whole hearted truth without worrying about the backlash that could come from it. Unlike mainstream media who fear of backlash they will receive if they discuss such a topic.

It’s so sad we aren’t able to fully get the truth and everyones opinions on a topic such as this one because people are afraid of the consequences from speaking up. I fully understand why they don’t. If I was in this industry and had a career and family to worry about I wouldn’t want to jeopardize it either by speaking about anti-war opinions. 

Blog post 4: EOTO Facebook

 Kendall Krasinski 

Media law and literacy 

Professor smith 

Facebook History 

Facebook was created in 2004 in the month of February. Mark Zuckerberg with the help of a few friends built Facebook in their Harvard dorm room. The app is used for people to connect with friends, family, colleagues, etc. They are given the platform to share pictures, videos, as well as their own thoughts and opinions. The original reason for the app was for students to match names with photos of classmates. Initially only open to Harvard students, it later expanded to other universities until 2006, when it became available to everyone over the age of thirteen. Facebook grew in popularity rather quickly and soon became one of the most used/ downloaded app. Interesting enough facebook wasn’t the original name given to the successful app. It was first called Facemask and it was used to deem students hot or not anonymously. It also made that Harvard students could use their .edu emails to connect and post pictures with their classmates. Mark Zuckerberg wanted to create a platform that all college students could use to connect with one another. He says that at when you looked online you were able to find music, news and information but there was nothing that would connect you to your friends and family. 

Facebook has affected our lives in many negative and positive ways. In my personal opinion I think the negatives outweigh the positives. For example nothing is kept private anymore. Once you post a picture, video or thought to facebook it’s there forever. Even if you decide at a later time to delete it. What you posted is still floating around somewhere. When you think about it is quite scary but also keeps you mindful of what your posting. Many people have lost jobs and been canceled for what either they have posted or what someone else has posted about them on facebook. This can be beneficial but also hurt those trying to get a job or just live their daily lives. Businesses benefit from this so they know if this is the type of candidate they want to represent their company. A lot of people wouldn’t buy from or even think about a company that had an employee who was racist or unfriendly online. People think that since they are hidden behind a screen nothing will come from it but it only takes one person to screenshot or forward it to end that persons current normal lifestyle. 

Although there are many negatives to all social media platforms they do have some beneficial factors to them. I think the most important one especially for companies is how they are able to network, advertise and promote their business online. This is so important in todays society because people are more likely to visit you site or store if its shown on social media than in a magazine. Most of todays society are on social media and rely on it for their daily information. As for me i’ve found some of my favorite stores from ads that have popped up on instagram. Though the business aspect of social media is important being able to connect with friends and family is too. I have cousins who live a couple states away and when they post on facebook i’m able to keep up with their life and know whats going on. I’m able to post fun pictures with my friends, post the cool places I see or even my iced latte. There are many benefits from social media but it’s also fun! 

I’ve learned a lot from this project and found some rather interesting facts about not only facebook but social media as a whole. I’ve heard of negative and positive affects but when you actually look into it its astounding what you find out. Also doing research on Mark Zuckerberg the creator of Facebook he lived quite a fascinating life. I think the most amazing thing to me is how this app that is used by half the world was created in a college dorm room. If you stop to think about it anyone of us could do that with the right determination. I loved this project and am glad to have gotten more insight into an app I use religiously.