Blog #7

 Finding New Technology

Blog #7

During our recent EOTO presentations I learned about a lot of different technologies and apps. While my part of the presentation was focused on the app TikTok, I got to sit and hear more about a topic I normally would disregard, video games. Video games have become a rather large part of society and social media. Platforms such as Twitch have been a big part in bringing gamers together. 

Twitch is a streaming app used to share game play and tricks. The interactive live-streaming service is used by many video game connoisseurs to commentate and play while viewer can watch, comment, interact, and keep up to date on the most current games and apps. 

Twitch was one of the apps that grew immensely during the world wide pandemic of 2020. With people locked up at home, many resorted to video games and live streaming. People could have human interaction, doing the things they loved and had in common, while still social distancing. 

Video games have been around my whole life, which isn't that long looking at the bigger picture. However, in the short time that they have been available, video games shave probably had the most growth out of any technology, in my opinion. We started out with small consoles that had lots of wires, not a lot of games, and typically broke in a span of months. Nowadays, we see all different versions of consoles. Take the PlayStation, since the first released console in 1994, there have been five new ones, and over 400 possible games to be played. 

Video games are a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, connect with others, and release stress. The world of gaming is growing daily with apps like Twitch, events such as Summer Game Fest, and new releases of video games almost daily. While it may not be new to others, video games and the gaming world is new to me and I am intrigued to learn more about it. 

Blog #6

 Diffusion Of Innovation

Blog #6

As someone who has only known a life with technology, I have been able to see many apps flourish and many apps have a rapid downfall. After reading about the diffusion of innovation theory, I now understand why this happens. It depends on the innovation itself, time, communication channels, as well as a social system. 

If we were to compare a successful app such as TikTok, to an unsuccessful one, take YikYak, we can see how the differences vary. TikTok became big in 2020 when the Corona Virus put the United States in lockdown. This means that more people were using their phones and mindlessly scrolling in order to attempt to cure the boredom. YikYak on the other hand was created in 2013 and did not last long before shutting down due to failure to maintain user engagement. In 2013, most social media user were still buzzing about Instagram and Snapchat, not an app used to anonymously comment on people in the same vicinity as you. 

Many people became early adapters of apps like TikTok and Instagram because of the social scene at the time. Rather than missing out on what others are experiencing, people will download the apps, let them sit on their phones without posting, and just use it every once in a while. When they realize these apps are changing and growing, people will resort to using them more in depth. Many of my own friend were against TikTok when it first became big because they figured it was just something to watch people dance and lip-sync, however as more users appear, the app grows with the audience and adapts. Nowadays, everyones "for you" page is personalized, whether it be dancing, cooking, cars, fashion, you name it!

One thing that doe hold app back from growing is age. Not many older people use social media as often as kids ages 10-25. Not because they are hard to use, but because many people of older generations are stuck in their ways; they grew up with telephones with curly wire and televisions that do not have remotes. In addition, there are articles written about the safety and hazards of social media, these are more likely to be read by older people rather than the youthful users. 

The question that remains is do the positives outweigh the negatives? Well, as a said before, many apps like YikYak will crumble for various reasons, but other apps like TikTok will almost. help boost society as a whole. It is important to be aware of online dangerous such as bullying, harassment, sex trafficking, identity theft, and more. However, if apps are used correctly and with discretion, problems will stay minimal. Social media is meant to be a good thing, a way to connect people around the world and build networks, it's not meant to be harmful. 

Blog 9/22/2021: Privacy

 Privacy & Surrounding Problems

Blog #5

The videos we watched regarding privacy, and lack thereof, prove how closely surveyed American citizens are. I know a lot of parents nowadays use tracking apps for their children such as Find My Friends and Life360, however it is a completely different story when people are having their faces on websites unknowingly or have footage of them in places such as bars or libraries. 

My family has been affected by these problems because in 2020, some very bad people got my grandparents information, blackmailed them, and took their money. A simple thing like ordering from an unknown website or using your credit card at a gas station are just some of the ways people, like the ones that did that to my grandparents, are able to get your information and steal your identity, money, or unimaginable things. 

I am not completely against surveillance, such as to track people on probation or men or women who work in dangerous jobs like firefighters or deep-sea fishermen even. However the line can very easily be crossed when people are unknowingly tracked. One thing I think the government should do about this issue is minimize the photo surveillance. I think having some parts known and others left unknown is a good medium for both surveyed and the surveyor. As citizens, we receive warnings and have to sign user agreements before using most websites, apps, or services. Never once in my life have I read the terms and conditions before checking agree. I think in order to protect ourselves, we must begin reading these types of things rather than using something blind. 

Blog #3

 8 Values of Free Expression: Top Picks

When it comes to the 8 Values of Free Expression, the one that resonates most with me, personally, is the fourth; individual self-fulfillment. Freedom of speech is not something to mess around with when it comes to American citizens. 

After this most recent presidential election, we have seen a lot more people publicly voicing their opinions, no matter how unkind the words used are. Rather than shutting down every hurtful tweet or comment, these people were free to speak their opinion, regardless of how belligerent it was. The 

individual self-fulfillment encourages people to use their voice because it enables their self expression and allows more room for building self worth. 

To me, individual self-fulfillment is one of America's most unique "qualities". If you look at this country in comparison to any others, whether it be Greece, Mexico, China, what have you, you will find much more difference between the citizens here. America its known for being the "melting pot" and we continue to live by this name. With our freedom of self-fulfillment, people are more successful, happier, and live a more ideal life. 

This value of free expression also coincides with another, and I feel as though you can't have one with out having both. The value of Stable Change speaks about individuals speaking their mind are less likely to resort to violence and rage. This may seem redundant, due to the fact that almost everything in the judicial system is repeated, but it is important to note that monitoring does come into play with this. 

Whatever the case may be, a rant about someones job, angrily tweeting about a parking ticket, commenting about a sports game, no matter how big or small an incident may seem, it can be someone else's driving factor. The government is much safer when they allow people to speak their mind.  

In order to remain peaceful and orderly, American citizens really demand one thing; the opportunity to talk. We have the power to vote for presidents, the power to talk about problems going on, the power to speak on things we feel so passionately about. This power is almost like a trade between the government and the common people. In exchange for ones speech, the government is less likely to experience backlash and physical harm. 

Despite the ongoing struggle of racism and other societal issues, the diversity of America is exactly what make it "America, land of the free home of the brave." The differences between two people can not go unnoticed, which is exactly why we must be given are basic right to speak openly and freely. With the 8 values of free expression, we are putting a leash on how drastic people can go. Without this leash, citizens would probably be twisting words and bending laws in order to have them fit the scenarios.

We don't live in a world that is simply black and white; the color is what makes Earth so great. Part of the color that comes with human beings is their opinion. Without opinion and different ideas, the world would probably never have the technology and change that we have. experienced and continue to. One of America's biggest appeals and best quality's is the individuality of it's citizens. We would not have so much nationalism and energy if everyone was tied down to a certain way of life. 

Blog #2

 Let's Talk SCOTUS

The Supreme Court, also known as SCOTUS, is the head of the judicial branch of government and the highest federal court in the United States. What this basically means is the Supreme Court is top dog when it comes to laws and law abiding. 

The Supreme Court contains members known as "court justices". As years have past, we have had between five and ten justices presiding, however, in 1869 Congress set the number of seats to nine and its has continued as so ever since. 

After reading more articles and watching videos about the topic, I have learned much more about the Supreme Court. I first would like to point out that the President nominates the Court Justices and they must be accepted or denied by the Senate. In all honesty, I had no idea about this process, I just figured people applied for justice positions like they would for a "normal" job. 

In addition, I learned about the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is the highest judicial officer who presides over the Supreme Court and sets agendas for meetings. This person also controls aspects of impeachment trials for presidents, basically the team captain for the Supreme Court. 

Something that truly surprised me was the average length of time justice holds a position. The video mentions the average length of time a justice holds a position on the Supreme Court is sixteen years, many continue to work much longer after that though. This was surprising considering the amount of schooling, training, social changes, political controversy and hypocrisy; the list goes on. 

I think it is important to learn about the Supreme Court due to the fact that living in a country such as the United States, it is crucial to be informed about what you will experience and who you deal with in such serious cases, can help create better outcomes for both sides.