Final Blog Post: My Relationship with Technology

Since I began my time at High Point University, my relationship with technology has changed in multiple ways. Screen Time is a feature introduced by Apple in the past couple years that allows users to access real-time reports that exhibit how much time he or she spends across devices. The time I spend on my phone has definitely decreased since move-in day. I believe this is because I am spending more time working on assignments and enjoying quality time with friends rather than just scrolling on my phone. Screen Time has a feature that shows how much time I spend on each app per day. 

TikTok is the app I spend the most amount of time on. I don’t view TikTok as an app to connect with friends as I primarily engage in videos that are created by content creators, large entertainment corporations, and celebrities. I love watching videos on TikTok because I see content that matches my interests thanks to the platform’s highly advanced algorithm. My feed is composed of content in the beauty genre, which includes content related to makeup, skincare, shopping, fashion, and haircare. 

TikTok has created overnight celebrities such as Charli D’Amelio, who has become a household name and even won Dancing With The Stars. My favorite content creator on the platform is Alix Earle, a senior at The University of Miami who is known for her “Get Ready With Me” styled videos. I love to watch Alix’s content because she comes across as very relatable and her videos feel like just talking with a friend. 

According to Merriam-Webster, an influencer is a person who is able to generate interest in something (such as a consumer product) by posting about it on social media. Alix perfectly fits this description. She has influenced me to try different makeup techniques and buy so many different beauty products. Before Alix’s rise to fame, I never really believed influencers opinions or reviews, however, due to her relatable content and seemingly honest opinions I am persuaded by Alix’s reviews and have purchased many of her recommended items. Her effect on my life is an example of the power of influencers to persuade viewers to make purchases. 

Alix’s Amazon Storefront has become notorious. As a member of the Amazon Influencer Program, Alix has monetized her social media content by sharing a customized storefront URL which contains affiliate links to products she has selected and are featured in her content. This makes it easier for Alix’s fans such as myself to find items she recommends and allows Alix to earn additional revenue from a personalized platform.  

Pinterest is another app I spend a majority of my screen time on. This popular platform is probably my favorite social media site. I love to scroll through the app and find fashion inspiration. It is a great resource to find pictures of outfits that follow current trends and styles. By using the boards feature, all my fashion pins can be organized how I wish. 

I think my relationship with technology has become much more healthy over the past year. It is impossible to completely detach myself from my phone, as I rely on it for everyday tasks such as ordering food using the High Point University app and connecting with family back home. I believe the fact that technology may be misleading users and providing misleading information is an accepted part of the society we live in in my generation. It is unfortunate that older individuals seem to be the people who fall victim to scams and fake news, however my younger generation has adapted and can usually spot the tactics used by those who perform these schemes. 

It is crucial to think about how technology can play a negative role in an individual's life. During our class discussion when Prof. Smith launched the final blog post, a search result from Google Scholar caught my eye: “The Paradox of Tik Tok Anti-Pro-Anorexia Videos: How Social Media Can Promote Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Anorexia.” In this moment, I realized that the harmful effect a relationship with technology can have with individuals who suffer disordered eating is often overlooked, and can be extremely harmful. Heavily edited images that display unrealistic bodies are constantly uploaded to platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Social media allows users to easily access content including weight loss tips, diet challenges, purging techniques and “body-checking” videos. According to Good Morning America, a recent report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit organization, found that within 30 minutes of a 13-year-old joining TikTok, the teen was being recommended content tied to eating disorders. Some content creators attempt to make social media a positive part of those recovering from eating disorders by creating "Let's eat together" videos. In these videos, users are invited to have a meal with the creator who encourages them through each bite.

It is imperative to reflect on my relationship with technology to identify its role in my daily life and the lives of those around me. Finding a healthy balance with my relationship with technology’s positives and negatives is crucial to benefit my daily life and in maintaining my well-being in this digital age. 

Blog #11 EOTO 2

As a member of Group 3, the theories group, High Point University student Gabrielle Valkner informed me about the Spiral of Silence Theory. According to Gabrielle, "The Spiral of Silence Theory is a communication theory proposed by German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann in 1974 (which) explains how public opinion is formed and how it affects individuals' willingness to speak up or remain silent on certain issues. It is based on the idea that people have a natural tendency to seek acceptance and approval from others, and that this desire can lead to the suppression of unpopular opinions." 

I had never heard of this theory before Gabrielle's presentation. She described this theory in a way that was easily understandable for the audience. I believe this theory is true, as I agree that people are more likely to stay quiet when they hold the minority opinion because they are nervous to be isolated, however, those with a majority opinion are more willing to speak up because they feel more comfortable and confident in their position. During the presentation, I wondered how many fantastic ideas have been lost throughout history because the great inventor was afraid to speak out due to fear of isolation. If our culture does not encourage free thinking, we are doing ourselves a disservice and not allowing ideas to flow freely. I thought the graphics Gabrielle used (pictured below) were a great visualization of this theory. 

The presentation was very valuable. It began by describing the theory presented. Then encouraged its viewers to foster open dialogue and create safe spaces for those who hold different opinions. It is crucial that we remember the importance of encouraging open dialogue in a culture of respect and inclusivity so that all voices are heard and minority opinions are not marginalized. I am happy that Gabrielle's presentation introduced me to this fascinating theory. 

Blog #10: In the Age of AI

 

The documentary "In the Age of AI" serves as an excellent example of our conversations regarding new technology. The video does not dispute the awe and countless beneficial changes that Artificial Intelligence may bring to society, but it is equally honest about the dehumanizing risks. It is imperative to reflect on this video in order to spark thinking on what are the positive aspects as well as the more complex issues regarding artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

The video explains deep-learning, which is a form of artificial intelligence which mimics the neural networks of the human brain. This algorithm can quickly predict behavior, such as the creditworthiness of somewhat wanting a short-term loan or, less seriously, how to beat a video game. This "risk amendment" processes millions of transactions and digs up information a human simply could not compute. This is one of the many aspects of A.I. that concerns the right to privacy. 

This video was very eye-opening. The video explains how the race to become an A.I. superpower has led to a growing rivalry between the United States and China. In China, A.I. has been integrated into many elements of everyday life. It has becomes a threat to personal privacy as facial recognition and social credit score is at the forefront of an individual's life. As explained in the video, the more data, the better A.I. works. In China, they have access to the most data, as there are a billion users alone on the app WeChat, the equivalent of Facebook, Messenger, PayPal and much more. The episode details China has more than three to four times more users than the U.S. In China there are fifty times more mobile payments than in the U.S., ten times more food deliveries, and more than three hundred times more shared bicycle rides. All of these interactions collect information that is sent to databases. Because A.I. is essentially fueled by data, A.I. implementation's best place is China. All of the data collected helps the A.I. learn more about user behavior, and in turn, progress and perform better. 

A program that shocked me in this video was the program in Shenzen where offenders who jaywalk are shamed in public and can be instantly fined using facial recognition. The video also explains the dangers of a fully integrated social-credit system. In my prior blog post, I explained this system and its dangers. Right now, this powerful system can punish "bad behavior" by the Chinese public with consequences as severe as a travel ban. A surprising part of social credit score that measures how delinquent or dangerous you are is if you keep your cell phone charged. The entire system and overall surveillance is an extremely troublesome idea in terms of civil liberty.

It is imperative to wonder what will happen when A.I. leads to job loss. An expert in the field, Kai-Fu Lee, explains "I believe about 50% of jobs will be somewhat or extremely threatened by A.I. in the next 15 years or so." The video then showcases a family from Beaverton, Michigan. Shawn and Hope Cumbee live with their son Charlie as they explain the hardships of being an independent driver in the trucking industry. This family has given everything to be apart of a career they enjoy, and when the interviewer alerted Shawn that some self-driving companies are already operating driverless trucks on the interstate with real freight, Shawn replied "Really?" The loss of both blue and white collar jobs would be an immense blow to the United States. Kai Fu Lee concludes the documentary by stating "I, I do think that democracy is threatened by the progress of these tools unless we improve our social norms and we increase the collective wisdom at the planet level to, to deal with that increased power. I'm hoping that my concerns are not founded, but the stakes are so high that I don't think we should take these concerns lightly. I don't think we can play with those possibilities and just... race ahead without thinking about the potential outcomes."

Overall, although A.I. is an impressive tool that can enhance and automate many aspects of our lives, it can quickly become a dangerous superpower that we must control.

Blog #9: EOTO Project 2 - Social Credit Score

Horizons defines the China social credit system as "a broad regulatory framework intended to report on the ‘trustworthiness’ of individuals, corporations, and governmental entities across China." The term "social credit" is an intentionally broad and vague term that allows for maximal policy flexibility. The idea of social credit could be traced back to various schools of thought in the "warring states" period of Chinese history. For example, Confucius (551-479 BCE) called for a 'holistic' view of human nature in which individual well-being was related to good character and the proper functioning of society as a whole. 

While China's social credit system isn't the world's first, it is definitely unique. Some suggest that the social credit system is not extremely different from citizen evaluations in other countries, even the United States. One of the biggest implications of a social credit system could include increased government control and a loss of privacy. By determining what services they can access, what jobs they can get and even where they can live, the government will have increased control over citizens' lives. With individuals data, including details regarding behavior and actions, being collected, there is an increased risk of a loss of privacy. 

The goal of the China social credit system is to make it easier for individuals and professionals to make fully-informed business decisions. If a person has a higher social credit score, that is an indicator that the party is trustworthy in a business context. Although the system began with a focus on financial creditworthiness, the eventual goal of the system is to create a unified record for people, businesses, and the government, with the ability to be monitored in real time. In order for this to be achieved, society will need to use three practical mechanisms: Data gathering and sharing, curation of blacklists and redlists, and punishments, sanctions and rewards. 

Through the credit system, data, the fundamental building block, is gathered by central, regional and municipal government bodies who collaborate to process that information into algorithms. Then, the data is used to place individuals and businesses to blacklists and redlists (some public, some not). Finally, based on the presence in the lists, citizens are punished, sanctioned or rewarded. 

From a global perspective, there has been a major resistance to the social system from a global perspective, most Chinese citizens approve of the system. In fact, one peer-reviewed study showed 80% of participants either somewhat approved or strongly approved of social credit scores. Only 1% of participants reported either strong or some degree of disapproval in the system. 

Any system in which individuals are given the power to monitor and control others could be abused. There is a high chance that a social credit system will be used to discriminate against particular groups of people, such as ethnic, political, or religious minorities. 

The Hill claims that America's own social credit system is coming soon. The article states that PayPal has announced they will share information collected about "white supremacists" and other radical groups with financial firms and politicians. Theoretically, as a young person in the United States, I do not know how I would function if I got blocked from platforms such as Facebook, Venmo and Amazon. 

To conclude, the Chinese social credit system is a complicated and complex legislative framework that tries to evaluate the integrity of individuals, corporations, and governmental entities throughout the country. While not unique, the system stands out for its size, complexity, and potential to violate citizens' privacy and personal freedoms. On the positive side, the system intends to produce a unified record for individuals, businesses, and the government which can be monitored in real time, making it easier for individuals and experts to make fully informed business decisions. Yet, there are fears that the system could be abused and used to discriminate against specific categories of individuals. It is important to ensure the system does not become abusive and will be positive if adapted into everyday life. 

Blog #8

Roger's Diffusion of Innovations helps us describe why certain technologies are adopted and some are not. It is also Dr. Smith's favorite theory. According to the theory's Wikipedia article, the theory was popularized by Everett Rogers in his book Diffusion of Innovations, which was first published in 1962. In this theory, Rogers argues diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated over time among the members of a social system. It is interesting to wonder why certain technologies are adopted and why some are not. 

The new innovation of TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps in the world. The platform allows users to create and share short videos that are posted into an algorithm with personalized content. Primarily, young people were early adopters of the new technology. Perhaps young people are more comfortable to try new social media platforms such as TikTok because they have grown up with technology and tend to experiment and adapt to it quickly. Older people may be less likely to try new technologies than younger people because of generational or cultural factors. For example, older people may value face-to-face interactions over technological ones. Some people may also chose to try a new technology because they do not see a need for it. For example, individuals might argue if they can already watch videos on platforms such as YouTube, why go through the trouble of trying something new? 

TikTok has caught on and spread globally because of its simplicity and ease of use. It is also attractive to users thanks to its personalization. The platform provides much entertainment value for users thanks to the engaging and enjoyable content placed in the unique algorithms. 

The negatives of TikTok include cyberbullying (users could leave negative comments and make mean-spirited videos), misinformation (fake news is prevalent), privacy concerns (including collecting and sharing user data), distraction (takes time away from other tasks), addiction (the endless feed of the app can potentially affect a person's mental health and productivity), and inappropriate content (such as sexual and violent). 

Privacy may be the main concern for older people who choose not to join social media. In the past, TikTok has faced scrutiny regarding its data privacy practices which include collecting and sharing user's information with third parties. In 2022, hackers claimed "2 billion data records" had been stolen. TikTok stated that users did not need to take any proactive actions, however journalists suggested users change their passwords and ensure they have two-factor authentication activated as an extra layer of protection.

To conclude, Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory provides insight into the process by which new technologies are adopted by society.   TikTok, a popular social media app, has gained popularity due to its ease of use and personalized content. However, there are some drawbacks to the app, such as privacy concerns, cyberbullying, misinformation, addiction, distraction, and inappropriate content. As technology advances, it is critical to consider both the positive and negative consequences of new innovations and make informed decisions about their use.

Blog #7: New Technologies

In this class, EOTO stands for 'Each One Teach One.' Instead of our professor delivering a lecture on the development of communication technologies, students were encouraged to teach the class. This was a valuable experience as it encouraged students to become actively involved in the learning process, rather than being passive recipients of information. 

By experiencing the EOTO approach to learning firsthand, I learned about the invention of the printing press from my group member, Brendan Shea during an in-class presentation. It was valuable to learn about the history of the groundbreaking invention that completely changed the worlds of printing and publishing. The EOTO approach to learning was truly a unique and exciting experience that taught us how to effectively share information and perspectives and engage with our classmates as an audience, while learning from them in return. 

The printing press was invented by German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg in 1436. After reading the article Brendan cited, I learned that Gutenberg died penniless. The new invention became the most popular method for automated book printing. The machine was comprised of a screw-type wine press that squeezed inked metal type. The printing press allowed for the mass production of written materials, which had previously been a time-consuming and costly process. This invention proved to be a game changer, not just in the printing industry, but in society as a whole.

The printing press played a crucial role in the creation of a global news network by making printing faster and more affordable. This invention allowed for a wide variety of written materials to become distributed to the world, thanks to the use of traveling salesmen. Censorship became more challenging as a result of the widespread publication of radical opinions, which were being distributed in greater numbers than ever before.

Due to the continued low literacy rates, skilled readers were employed to publicly read in public places such as pubs. The widespread distribution and publication of scientific literature led to unprecedented progress in the fields of science and technology.

The printing press enabled manuscripts from famous figures like Plato and Aristotle to be re-published alongside new works. Martin Luther was one notable author who greatly benefited from this invention. He became a best-selling author between 1518 and 1525, and his writings accounted for two-thirds of all books sold in Germany during that time.

Some other facts I learned in presentations include: Emojis were used for the first time in the 1860s; the stock market was one of the first uses of the World Wide Web and the internet; The first prototype of the internet was called ARPANET (two computers exchanging information); Internet Explorer was groundbreaking as it allowed people to explore domains anywhere they wanted to; Twitter's platform relied heavily on news, which is also seen as its downfall; It also is sometimes called "The First TikTok."; The radio was invented by Guglielmo Marconi; In the early days of television, only a couple thousand homes owned one. This can be attributed to the high costs and shortage of marketing. However, less than fifty years after its creation, 98% of American homes owned at least one television; Established in 1775, the U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency of the federal government of the U.S. (and one of its' largest employers) responsible for providing postal service; Soldiers were permitted to bring their phonograph outside the United States; Facebook was originally created for Harvard students as a social network program; The word for "pencil" comes from the latin for "little tail."

To conclude, the EOTO approach to learning provides a unique opportunity for students to actively engage in the learning process and share their research with their classmates. Through this method, I was able to gain valuable insights into the history of communication technologies, including the game-changing invention of Johannes Gutenberg's printing press. This invention had a huge impact on society, leading to the mass production and distribution of written materials and paving the way for unprecedented progress in fields like science and technology. Throughout the in class presentations, the EOTO approach to learning proved to be an effective and engaging way to learn about the history and impact of communication technologies. equal and democratic society. 

Blog #6: Antiwar Voices in Media

Dissent is commonly known as "minority opinion." It is important to recognize the crucial role of dissent in times of war, as well as the role of the First Amendment in protecting it. History shows that during the Progressive Era, antiwar voices who did not want America to get involved in WWI were persecuted for their antiwar views, and many of them were jailed for simply voicing their opinions. Today, the United States government is engaging in military operations worldwide, but the mainstream media seems to lack strong antiwar voices, as can be seen on websites such as s ANTIWAR.COM and The American Conservative.  This can be attributed to a variety of factors. Most mainstream media is owned by the same large corporations, which may have close connections to the government and military, which could create a pro-war bias. Also, news media, is a business. By creating a sensation of violence and conflict that viewers feel they need to tune into, channels can create better advertising revenue and ratings. 

I believe I have not heard of either of these websites prior to writing this blog post because of the lack of diversity in mainstream media ownership. It is alarming that in order to hear strong antiwar voices I have to seek out alternative sources of information. The underrepresentation of antiwar voices in the news is alarming as it is important for Americans to receive information from a variety of opinions in order to attain their own values and beliefs. It is very dangerous if politicians are colluding with large news corporations to push pro-war stances because it is never the government's job to tell you what to believe (compelled affirmation of belief). Overall, the mainstream media should do a better job highlighting minority opinions such as antiwar voices.