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.

Blog #5 EOTO Comm Tech Timeline

I have chosen to research the invention of paper for this assignment because of its significance in the development of communication technologies. Prior to the invention of paper, individuals communicated through pictures and symbols carved into tree bark, painted on cave walls, and marked on papyrus or clay tablets. Recording and reading information using these methods was time-consuming, impractical, and not easily accessible. 

Paper was invented as a much more efficient and convenient alternative to these writing surfaces. The creation of paper revolutionized the way information was recorded and shared, leading to the rapid transmission of knowledge and ideas about science, literature, and culture. An article released by the American Forest & Paper Association states that paper was first made in Le-Yang, China by Ts-ai Lun, a Chinese court official. According to History.com Cai Lun, a eunuch in China's Han Dynasty, is credited as the inventor of the first real high-quality writing paper.

Cai Lun created paper by crushing and combining tree bark, hemp, linen rags, and scraps from fishing nets and then treating the mixture with lye to break it down into finer fibers. Initially, paper was used for wrapping precious objects, but soon individuals embraced its abilities. The creation of paper paved the way for the creation of books, newspapers, and magazines, and helped create a business for this information.

Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 15th century helped to automate the book-printing process. The printing press "stole jobs" from dozens of trained artisans who painstakingly hand-copied and illuminated manuscripts. Printed materials became more accessible and affordable with the mass production of paper. By 1702, paper was cheap enough to be designed to be thrown away after only 24 hours of use with the Daily Courant, the world's first daily newspaper.

The accessibility of paper allowed individuals to share ideas with others on a global scale. The invention of paper changed the world in many different ways, from the way we communicate to the way we store and share information. Paper is often overlooked for how commonly it is used in everyday life. Printing is only the start of paper's uses. We use wrapping paper, parchment paper, sandpaper, paper napkins, and paper receipts. We decorate our homes with wallpaper, posters, and photographs, and use it to make boxes. In the kitchen, we filter tea and coffee through it and package milk and juice in it. The world's first toilet paper was produced by the British Perforated Paper Company in the 1870s.

In an article for BBC, paper is described as "The quintessential industrial product." Thousands of years after its invention, today, paper remains an essential aspect of communication and information storage. It continues to play a vital role in the publishing, education, and packaging industries. Despite the rise of digital communication, paper is still widely used and remains a sustainable resource when made from recycled materials. China continues to be a leading producer of paper, with many companies focused on creating high-quality paper from recycled materials.

The invention of paper was a significant milestone in human history. It paved the way for the democratization of knowledge and helped to revolutionize the way information was shared and recorded. The accessibility of paper has allowed for the rapid spread of information and has helped to shape the world we live in today. While digital communication has become increasingly prevalent, paper continues to be a vital resource, with sustainable production methods ensuring that it will remain an important aspect of human communication and information storage for years to come.

Blog #4: Key Post - Eight Values of Free Expression

The Eight Values of Free Expression are used by scholars to describe why freedom of expression is so important to us as Americans.

The first two Values of Free Expression are the ones used the most by the Supreme Court. The first, Marketplace of Ideas, comes from John Milton's Areopagitica. This argues that freedom of the press is crucial because when truth and falsehood are allowed to freely grapple, the truth will win out. This grappling in turn makes the truth even stronger. When all ideas are accessible, the individual is able to sort through them and form his or her own opinions. It is never the government's job to decide your own opinion (what you view as true), therefore there should not be a requirement of a license to print or publish work. The government cannot tell you what to believe (compelled affirmation of belief) & the government cannot tell you to speak (compelled speech). 

This value feels most personal to myself as an American today. Thankfully, there are many news sources available to access to gain a broader and more balanced understanding of current events. By viewing multiple news sources, we may be able to identify biases more easily. We are very lucky to live in a country that allows journalism that is critical of the government. We are able to hear opinions from a range of perspectives that can help us form out own beliefs, not what the government tells us to believe. 

The second value, Participation in Self-Government, is described by Alex Meiklejohn in Free Speech and Relation to Self-Government. It argues if positions in government are reserved for certain people and not available for all citizens, individuals will not vote in wise and informed ways. The prerequisite for democracy is the government gets its power only through the consent of the governed, therefore if the government is censoring its citizens, how are they giving consent? 

An example of this theory in the real world was when former "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon ran for New York governor in 2018. The openly gay liberal activist had never held political office when she challenged the incumbent Gov. Anthony Cuomo. According to People, Nixon is quoted saying "Women have to lead and speak up. I just think we need to have more people of color and women and LGBT people not just represented - but leading. If we want to fix out world, they know whats wrong with it because they've been on the short end of the stick." In the case of this Democratic primary, Nixon was an example of government positions being available for all citizens. After Cuomo defeated Nixon in the primary, the government got its power with the consent of the governed. 

The third Value of Free Expression is Stable Change (aka Safety Valve). Benedict Spinoza argues in Tractatus-Theologico Politicus that it is actually in the government's self interest to let its citizens to speak their mind, or "vent". This is because angry individuals will be less likely to resort to violence if they are not suppressing their feelings. It also helps governments monitor potentially dangerous groups. 

In 2021, The United States Department of Justice discovered a Florida man unlawfully used social media to deprive individuals of their right to vote. The defendant's dangerous actions allowed him to establish an audience on Twitter with approximately 58,000 followers ahead of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Along with other conspirers, he encouraged supporters to "vote" via text message or social media, a legally invalid method of voting. Because politics are permitted to be discussed on social media and not censored by the government, the Justice Department was able to identify and punish this dangerous group as they acted publicly, rather than secretly. 

Individual Self-Fulfillment (aka Self-Actualization) introduced by Edwin C. Baker in Human Liberty and Freedom of Speech - Autonomy Theory describes freedom of speech as an aspect of human dignity, human agency, and autonomy. It argues that free speech enables individuals to create their own identity by having the ability to express themselves. The first amendment protects citizens inner thoughts and ideals. It allows each of us to express our own views, engage in public conversations and participate in a democratic government. 

This value feels the most personal. I am appreciative that the First Amendment grants me the right to be myself. Having my own personal ideals allows me to become more fulfilled as I can find hobbies, a career, and relationships that matter most to me. 

The fifth Value of Free Expression is Check on Governmental Power, also known as Watchdog Role. Vince Blasi expresses in Checking Function of the First Amendment that freedom of the press enables citizens to expose when the government abuses its power. If they feel so moved, they can react to the abuse during elections or in other ways. We have to be watch dogs by watching what state, local, and federal governments are doing and speaking out when we see something wrong. 

This value is evident in the actions of citizens in my home state of New York. Following an investigation by the state's attorney general, it was discovered Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women. Citizens spoke out, including top Democrats like Senator Chuck Schumer, leading to a loss of support for Cuomo. Ultimately, Cuomo resigned from his position as governor, ending his third term with disgrace.

Lee Bollinger argues in The Tolerant Society: Freedom of Speech and Extremist Speech that freedom of speech teaches citizens to become more tolerant in other aspects of life, in turn creating an overall better society. The First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of expression to all Americans, including hate speech. If we start outlawing speech that we find offensive and hurtful, all types of speech become at risk. Society learns valuable lessons from hate speech as it can lead to productive conversations about social and political issues. Hate speech does not to be illegal because society has its own ways of condemning it. While hate speech may be offensive and hurtful, the First Amendment guarantees it as a right to all Americans. 

Hate speech is very prevalent in today's society. As social media has grown and grown, it has become easier than ever for individuals to express their opinions to a wide audience. It is important to recognize that hate speech on social media is becoming more and more common, as this spreads quickly and easily. The real-world consequences of hate speech on social media include physical violence and harassment. Thankfully, social media users can engage in constructive dialogue to challenge intolerance and bigotry.  

Jack Balkin describes in Living Originalism that in a society where free speech is encouraged and protected, citizens will be more creative and energized, finding fulfillment in multiple diverse and interesting ways. This will result in a society rich in new ideas and innovations. This value is important because when people are allowed to explore new and unconventional ideas without fear of punishment, they contribute to a society that is constantly evolving and improving while creating new products and services. 

Innovation is definitely promoted in the United States, a society where the First Amendment is protected. The country has a strong culture of entrepreneurship, including highly regarded universities, a successful tech industry, and advancements in scientific research. The United States remains at the forefront of technological advancement.

In Dissent, Injustice and the the Meanings of America Steve Shiffrin explains that the First Amendment protects minority opinions, even if they are unpopular. Our system is designed to prevent mob rule. In reality, it is an individual's patriotic obligation to criticize the government.

In our democratic society, citizens have the voice to hold the government accountable for its actions. March For Our Lives is a prominent organization thats efforts have led to the first federal legislation on gun violence to be signed into law. After the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the organization was founded in efforts to make sure what happened to their community never happens again. By criticizing the government's actions, the organization aims to create a safe and compassionate nation for all of us.