Surfing or Sinking? The Internet's Treacherous Waters

 

    In this modern world, technology has permeated every aspect of civilization and livelihoods. In my modern world, it has become my “middleman” of a way to live. From the way I communicate to the manner in which I consume media, and even the simple way of making time go by faster, the digital revolution has transformed this modern world's daily experience, while simply forming my daily experience. As more and more generations are coming into the common world we share, it is important to look towards the promises of technological advancements, while also reflecting on the pitfalls that came with it.

    From the rudimentary days of the internet beginning officially on January 1,1983, the significant milestone in human history was formed, ushering this brand new era of connectivity and innovation. This network of networks revolutionized how information was consumed, creating new opportunities for learning, entertainment, and relationship not just with the tech itself but with the platforms it made way to. Though many of our parents or maybe even siblings may recall, their first experience with social media was found in MySpace. MySpace was a social networking service based in the United States. It was the first social network to reach a global audience and had a significant influence on technology, pop culture and music. But the very first social media platform was Six Degrees, a platform created in 1997 that enabled users to upload a profile and make friends with other users. However basic sounding, this platform gave way to others like MySpace, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. These all reshape our social landscapes and become an integral aspect to our identities and interactions. 

    While these platforms offered vast opportunities, they also came with and will continue to have inherent risks, which can often be overlooked amidst the excitement of new. For example, downloading an app typically involves granting permissions that may compromise privacy, such as location tracking and access to personal data like contacts—permissions that many users accept without fully understanding their implications. Reflecting on my own experiences with platforms like Instagram in my middle school years, I realize that the thrill of being like my friends around me often masked my awareness of what I was actually agreeing to. This is a common scenario among younger users, where the allure of social media engagement can overshadow an understanding of privacy and data security.

    The influence of media on our perceptions and behaviors is profound. Digital environments can become addictive, subtly shaping our interactions and self-image. What starts as simple app usage can be internally evolved, impacting how we view ourselves and the world. Social media is a double-edged sword, offering vast opportunities and information access but also posing significant addiction risks. Platform algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement by exploiting our desires for approval and recognition. The intermittent rewards of likes, comments, and shares activate the brain's pleasure centers in a way proven to be similar to gambling. Furthermore, constant exposure to idealized portrayals of others' lives can distort our perceptions of normalcy and success, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This is particularly harmful for younger individuals who are at critical stages of identity and self-worth development.

    Reflecting on my teenage years, during the height of my engagement with Instagram and other social media platforms, I was drawn to the constant buzz of online activity. It was more than just a way to stay connected; it felt like a necessary part of fitting in. Social media, by design, taps into our deepest desires for approval and recognition, creating addictive loops of interaction that have been proven to feel as compelling as gambling. This addiction to digital approval had severe real-life consequences for many of us. During my middle and high school years, the urge to participate in online trends often led us down dangerous paths. One example was the Tide Pods Challenge, which swept through our age group. Compelled by the trend and the desire to fit in, several peers suffered serious health consequences—some even life-threatening. The pressure to join in, fueled by the fear of missing out, was immense and often overwhelming.

    The impact of such trends on our mental health was devastating. The endless stream of perfected images and curated lives pushed many of us into a spiral of inadequacy and isolation. This is especially harmful to adolescents, who are at pivotal stages of forming their identities. The relation between the rise in social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety among my peers was deeply worrying—a trend that underlines the urgent need for us to address the influence of social media on young minds.

    These negative feelings are more than fleeting moments of envy or sadness; they can have long-lasting impacts on mental health. Recent research has shown troubling correlations between increased social media use and heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Notably, some studies have linked extensive social media use to increased risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly among adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among individuals aged 10-24 increased by nearly 60% from 2007 to 2018, a period that coincides with the rise of social media. While it is worth it to note that causation cannot be surly attributed to social media alone - given the nature of mental health issues - the connection presents a case for concern and further exploration.

    However, technology is not solely detrimental. During the global pandemic, technology served as a lifeline. It enabled me to continue my education remotely, to maintain friendships over distances, and to engage with new ideas and cultures without leaving my home. Technology has the power to democratize information, to make learning accessible to everyone with an internet connection. It fosters innovation, encourages creativity, and opens up new pathways for discovery. As we look to the future, the dual nature of technology will continue to shape society. The potential for technological advancement is immense, if responsibly harnessed. However, privacy and mental health concerns remain significant challenges.

    Most crucially in our path to keeping sanity we should foster a culture where disconnecting from technology is as valued as connecting through it. This involves creating norms and practices that encourage regular digital detoxes and setting boundaries around technology use. Schools, workplaces, and communities can play significant roles in this regard by promoting policies that balance technology use with offline activities. Encouraging activities that do not require screens—like reading books, engaging in outdoor activities, or pursuing hobbies that cultivate physical and mental health—can help mitigate the overreliance on digital devices.

    Our relationship with technology is complex, filled with challenges but filled with opportunities. As we continue to explore this relationship, I want to strive to be responsible and informed users of technology, ensuring a healthier, more secure, and connected world. Thank you for your attention.

To be a Whistleblower...

 

Oxford Languages defines a whistleblower as a person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity. Earlier this week in class we had the opportunity to go over how far that term has gone considering where it started. 

    The United State’s history is one that time and time again has been saturated with war and conflict and this term is one that was first planted here in the time of the Revolutionary War. In the year 1778 when Esek Hopkins, a commander-in-chief of America’s first armed force overseas was suspected of harboring money and defining General direct orders, 2 of his men spoke out formally against the wrongdoing. Samuel Shaw and Richard Marven were the two men who faced jail time in the name of doing what was right for the still budding country. Their act shook the world into a new era as Congress heard their report and sided with the men, paying their way out of jail and stating a truth for the world to hear: “That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other the inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.” This statement was the first of its kind but they were not the last to utilize it.

    More recently there have been cases of people who still put this practice to use, keeping our society safe. This site lists a more well known case that involved the more popular social app Twitter. Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, a man who while working a security detail within the Twitter facility, was made to worry over the network's cyber security. Going public with his claims, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard him and Twitter was made to settle with the whistleblower for $7 Million.

    The concept of whistleblowing is deeply rooted in the duty to shine light to the misconduct and fraud that has too easily gone unchecked. From Samuel Shaw and Richard Marven’s bravery in the face of a new world, even without a security blanket to fall on, a precedent was made that now people like Zatko can look up to. Whistleblowers will continue to play a role in holding organizations accountable to hold together the integrity of society. 

From Sci-Fi Dreams to Everyday "Realities"

    The futuristic idea of Virtual Reality is one that cannot be dated. It has been a project that from the beginning of creation, society has been working towards, knowingly or not. Augmented Reality being right there with it. But let us start from the beginning. 

    In the year 1838 Sir Charles Wheatstone introduced the idea of binocular disparity (stereopsis) to the world. His idea proposed that when each eye on someone's face was given a picture to look at from different angles, the brain would be tricked into combining both and give the image depth and submersion. Just as binocular vision works.  It was nearly a century before an American sci-fi writer named Stanley Weinbaum wrote about a fictional model of a device that favored the look of goggles and would allow the wearer to be immersed into a movie, giving them the sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch that the character in the story would get. The story, titled Pygmalion’s Spectacles, could not have been more inline with how far and where the amazing innovation is working its way to.

    The year 1956 introduced the Sensorama, a booth like machine that gave 3D video, audio and all around environmental effects for movie views to enjoy films better. However, less than 10 films ended up being fitted for the machine. The next few years after, the technology would ‘boom’. Engineers, Scientists, students and professors alike would come together adding on to the original idea when finally in 1968 the first head mounted machine was created. The only problem? No one wanted to use this head sculpting mount that hung from the ceiling and required the wearer to be physically strapped in. 

    Over the next decade the military would begin to utilize the machinery and motion censoring gloves would be added. A photographer in Aspen would use photos they took from their car and piece them together, it would come to be known as Aspen Movie Map and used first-person interactivity to make the user feel as if they are traveling through Aspen themselves. The first mock design of the headset would, in 1980-1985, be more personalized, made smaller and for additional comfort. In 1991 arcades adopted the tech and turned it into 3D video games for gamers to immerse in. Rushing in the 2010 era, tens of hundreds of companies began selling AR & VR items.

    Both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality has advanced significantly, expanding its applications across diverse fields initially popularized for its immersive gaming experiences, VR has transcended entertainment realms to become a versatile tool with multifaceted applications. Mental health professionals have embraced VR as a means to treat various psychological disorders, such as phobias, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Through controlled exposure therapy, individuals can confront their fears in a safe and immersive virtual environment, facilitating gradual desensitization and therapeutic progress. Additionally, AR-based relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises offer alternative avenues for stress reduction and emotional regulation.

    Also, VR holds transformative potential in healthcare, particularly in palliative care and hospice settings. By creating virtual environments reminiscent of cherished memories or bucket-list destinations, VR enables terminally ill individuals to embark on meaningful journeys and experience moments of joy and fulfillment. 

    In closing, how far Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have come, show evidence to societies pursuit of greater innovation and advancement. From the uncovering and utilization of binocular disparity in the 19th century to the world wide applications it has come to take position in, the VR and AR have made leaps and bounds of headway across fields like entertainment, education, mental health, and healthcare. Just as we begin to scratch away more of the surface, it shows light that they hold power to enhance learning, improve well-being, and reshape lives.

Antiwar means Antivoice

     The use of media to bring the world together, showing aspects of life that people may have never come to know without it, is just one of the millions of reasons why news and other pop culture outlets are utilized by billions across the world. Unfortunately for society the news will rarely if ever tell the full story.

    The first ever recorded use of a newsletter was found to be in the year 1609 by Johann Carolus in Germany. Ever since leaps and bounds have been made as the demand for people to learn all that was going on just outside their doors increased. The news has seen and reported the rise and fall of economies, entire civilizations, and governments and with the new age its only fitting that the ladder have its way.

    ANTIWAR is a cite used as a sort of backdoor into the parts of society that mainstream media has yet to (and may never) pick up. They use hyperlinks to other news sources that do well to explain the current role of the U.S government along with others in their parts of the various wars going on. Even ones the general public may not even know about. These sources and their information being somewhat 'hidden in plain sight' as to distract parties from learning of all that is going on. But even so, would the public listen?

    Their have been concerns brought up over what the media chooses to show and chooses to write on but these concerns have been few and widespread. When the question of 'Have you seen the news recently?' is proposed, many are left discussing the same 10 stories on repeat, while a million circle right outside of their door. 

    While the media serves the population as a tool for connecting the world and shedding light on many aspects of life, it has fallen short of delivering the complete picture. From newsletters to deemed alternative sources like Antiwar the struggle to uncover the hidden truths beyond what is given, remains constant. As consumers, we must remain steadfast, checking backgrounds and seeking the diverse perspectives not awarded to us. Only by this way can we break from the cycle of repetition and truly grasp the complexity and seriousness of global events.

The Tech Tug-o-War in the Digital Age

     "Without the use of social media and the internet we would have gotten nowhere. Without the use of social media and the internet we would have gotten everywhere." - S.E.J.

   The use of technology is one that has been equally fought for, fought over, and fought against by all parties across the world. Today we watched a documentary talking about each point brought to attention by the separate parties. 

    One point in particular to speak on, was the issue of privacy. The internet has gone above and beyond to scope out each user to understand them more deeply than they may understand themselves. For example, Facebook was mentioned in the video to have been on trial for the misuse of its platform, allowing for data privacy leaks. Facebook user's personal data was stolen and posted online for anyone to see and use as they wished. Facebook ended up settling for around $725 million. What is scary, however, is the fact that this is just the single world-wide used property that was discovered to have allowed these leaks, and even more other sites require you to let them sell your information just to use the site/app. Social media has been, for generations, used to share information of what people choose to give, while in the background, code and data works to steal the information they may have unknowingly signed away.

    The use of 'Terms and Conditions' & 'Cookies' are parades put on display to bank on the fact that people will not look at the details. In the beginning of the internet, full webpages going into detail about how your data would be used only as it needed to be and only in ways that were beneficial ruled the sites. Then not so long after, these turned into small pop up boxes to check off that wrote: "I have read and understand the terms and conditions." with hyperlinks to the long drawn out pages of information about now to whom you are signing your data away to. 

    In conclusion, the connection between technology, privacy, and consent has reached a vital juncture in this oncoming era. The widespread use of social media and the internet has pushed us forward in incredible ways, yet it has also exposed us to unprecedented risks. In reflection on how far we have come with online platforms and their handling of user data, it becomes clear that the ease of choosing 'agree' to terms and conditions not even understood, has come to hide the true implications of our digital footprint. The documentary we watched served as a reminder of the delicate balance we as a people must decipher between the movement in innovation and safeguarding our own livelihoods. Moving forward as a society we must begin to advocate for transparency and accountability in this ever-evolving online world.

Sidney on Full Parade

The use and implementation of services that take our data, personal information, and livelihoods and put them on full display for monetization and profit are each in their own not that rare but oh so very cruel. I'll admit that I never really paid much mind to what services I signed up for asked for, whether it be phone number, Facebook login, age, or geographic location - everything short of social security or birth certificate info - as long as I could use the app or website even for some minutes afterwards, I'd tell them all they wanted to know. But that luxury was one that was afforded to me by my father, a businessman in the Information Technology field. My inexperience with the cruelty of the world was so bad that eventually he had an alert on his phone that let him know if I was about to give away crucial information for extra gems on a subway surfers level. I'm embarrassed to say that it worked.

    However, how easy it was for a child to give up vital facts about ways of life is incredibly frightening when put into perspective. When I was growing up it was required that every child know their address by heart and we were made to repeat it each day to our teacher for verification or we were not allowed to go out and play that day or any other until it was imbedded into our brains. Later when phones became more widespread in the youth population, my parents had me instill their numbers into my mind to not be forgotten. These tactics for sure worked in making me recall all the particulars that I would need if it ever came to it, but they did nothing for letting me know when and with whom that information would be okay to share. Though in far reach, I would suggest the implementation of lessons on what sharing this information could do in the not-so-long run (like an internet is forever type of childhood realization). 

    In conclusion, the issue of personal data being exploited and the need for vigilance in safeguarding privacy is one that cannot be ignored. Even having individual experience with the issue, educating individuals, particularly children about the implications of sharing sensitive information is vital. By instilling a mindful approach to privacy from a young age, we can empower individuals to make informed choices and limit the risks of data spills. Bringing in a culture of information awareness is crucial to protecting ourselves to the increasingly simple ways for invasive incursions into our personal lives.

Funny ten second Instagram video that encompasses most all of my points: Free Giveaway

 

New-Old Facts on Bluetooth

     Since the beginning of time there have been aspects of discovery that people lived along side of but over time had to learn how to tap into. As time progresses, we will find more that we have yet to uncover even now but a particular technology that I was able to learn about is Bluetooth. 

   Our teacher for the day on this innovation was Clara Owen. She spoke on how it was invented by Jaap Haartsen in 1994 the foundations for Bluetooth Wireless Technology was laid out. Owen goes into talking about how the HomeRF - established in 1998 - was used to connect computers through radio frequency signals, replacing wires and still allowing for information to be shared. Similarly she talked about the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) - established in 1999 - which was a suite meant to provide wireless connectivity between devices like its predecessor. 

    The name for the service is one that was lost to time but can be remembered in single searches; "Herald "Bluetooth" suddenly became famous when a couple of men dug up his name from the depths of Viking history and gave it to an innovative new technology. The Viking king played a fundamental role in the unification of Denmark with its neighbors (now the countries of Norway and Sweden), and helped to Christianize Scandinavia." (The Collector) 

    Though not regarded as a flavorful nickname, it was suspected that he was known as "bluetooth" because he had rotting blue/black teeth. As time passed the name that was meant to only be a placeholder for a better title to be thought of, became known and solidified in history.

    As we reflect on the journey from discovery to implementation, it becomes evident that even the most humble beginnings can lead to transformative outcomes. Just as Bluetooth has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, so too do opportunities for innovation continue to present themselves, waiting to be embraced and harnessed for the betterment of society.

    In the ever-evolving realm of technology, the past serves as a building block for the future, reminding us that every discovery, no matter how small, has the potential to leave a mark on history. With each new discovery and tapped into knowledge of how our society can operate, we come closet to unlocking the full potential of human ingenuity and imagination.