A Look Back at This Journey

I have learned quite a bit in my English 3830 class. I have always been aware of censorship issues, but I have generally only considered it in regards to literature written throughout our history. I had not heard of Julian Assange or Wikileaks before this class, and I knew very little of the Islamic video that was made before this course. I have been reminded that censorship still runs rampant among us, and that we should pay more attention to the news and the government. I have been saddened to learn that we do not have an abundance of free speech, as I once thought that we did, and we must never stop asking questions and pushing for our rights for free speech.

I have also learned that technology is a fast-moving train that I must board if I hope to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of our country. Secondary schools, colleges, and many employers are now requiring students to utilize computer technology to get ahead, and not understanding how to use the technology is not a good excuse in these changing times. I have learned that it is not enough to be smart or work hard. In order to have an opportunity in the workforce, I will have to adapt my archaic way of thinking and start using more technology. Some of the articles we have read have stressed that graduating with a degree is only a portion of what companies will be expecting from their future employees. Intelligence just doesn’t get a person a free pass anymore. One has to demonstrate the desire to be a life-long learner, to evolve with the changing technology, and be willing to entertain graduate school.

I have enjoyed this class, because it has opened my eyes to a world that I thought I already somewhat understood, and I realized that I have so much more to learn in technology if I hope to compete with others in the job market. I recommend this class to anyone that is open to new ideas and is willing to reflect upon many differing and worthy opinions from all sides.

UTC Makes Strides for Going Green (Letter to the Editor)

Unplugged Challenge

Website Design Review for NBC Television Network and CBS Television Network (Academic Paper)

             The NBC Television Network and CBS Television Network are two of the four television networks that enter American homes each day.  Both NBC and CBS strive to make their television programming diverse through informative and entertaining morning shows, talk shows, news, sitcoms, dramas, and late-night programs.  While both networks aim to equally appeal to a wide audience by providing pertinent and entertaining information on their websites, CBS does a better job at providing an efficient and more user-friendly website to its current and prospective audience.

              The homepage of NBC's website displays its bright peacock logo in the top left-hand corner, but omits an essential component of the network; their name.  The overall color scheme on the site is a white font for the header, footer, and the drop boxes within them, a teal for the headings throughout the page, and a black for the information below the headings.  G. Scott Owen states that the intended emotional response for the color white is, "To evoke a feeling of honesty," while the color teal is used, "For a youthful and cool appearance."  There is sizeable box centered in the top of the page with rotating photographs of the primetime shows for the evening and a large number of clickable images that allow the viewer to watch videos of the previous night's shows, browse through photo galleries of the stars, and go behind the scenes of some of the NBC events.  While it is slightly challenging to read the information with ease, NBC does provide a large variety of clickable images to catch the eyes of the visitors.

            Similarly, upon entering the CBS website, the viewer's eyes are immediately drawn to the top left-hand corner which houses a medium-sized CBS name and logo consisting of a blue dot surrounded by a blue circle. The font colors used for the homepage are navy blue in the header and the drop-boxes within the header, white within the changing picture-box, and black for the headings of the various categories on the page.  Jacci Howard Bear found, "The color navy is associated with intelligence, stability, and conveys importance and confidence, hence the power suit of the corporate world."  CBS also displays a large changing box centered at the top of the main page with the upcoming programs for that evening.  There are categories that allow the viewer to watch complete episodes online, go behind the scenes of new and fan-favorite shows, and play games about the shows.  This website allows the viewer to explore the programs that interest them, while also introducing them with shows that are unfamiliar.

            While both NBC and CBS have their logos in the left corner, large changing boxes of the night's primetime programs, and headers with the options to view complete listings of shows and other information, the similarities stop there.  The NBC website displays a black background with a white font at the header of the page, but because the font isn't large or bold, there lacks adequate contrast in the header.  The listings of the upcoming shows for the day and other information are in teal, but again, the font color and size do not adequately allow the words so stand out on the page.  CBS, on the other hand, uses the white background to its advantage by choosing a darker blue, which creates a better contrast.  Furthermore, the combination of black and blue fonts for the headings and information below it ensure that the information doesn't get lost.  Steve Krug states that, "One of the great enemies of easy-to-grasp pages is visual noise.  When everything on the page is clamoring for my attention, the effect can be overwhelming" (38).  Unfortunately, this is the case for NBC's website.  While it is helpful to have images to click on, NBC offers too many pictures too closely together, and a somewhat muddled system of labeling the images and stories.  On the flip side, CBS restricts itself to fewer clickable images, making the images and content on their page more concise, deliberate, and easier to read.  Carolee Cameron labels this idea Visual Richness, and states, "Keeping the screen uncluttered is an important step to reducing visual pollution. Less is more" (109).    NBC commits an enormous website blunder because they do not abide by the concept of limiting the amount of information the viewer is introduced to as they explore the website.  CBS, however, understands the basic principle of eliminating any type of clutter or nonessential information from the website, thus strengthening their content and brand.

            While both NBC and CBS have the categories Shows, Episodes, and Schedules in their headers, only CBS offers the  category options of Connecting with Other Viewers, News, Sports, and Shop categories in large easily accessible one-click pages.  NBC, on the other hand, lumps Sports and News together and provides an Extras category, all in smaller fonts, that the viewer must click on before they can learn that it entails a Shop, Applications, and Games.  Another main difference in the competing websites is the visual direction of the homepages.  Vest, Crowson, and Pochran advise that websites should, "Allow the eye to flow through the page, and cluster similar items together" (47).  NBC struggles with a cohesive flow because the photos are spread out among the site, and much of the extra content is jumbled together at the bottom of the homepage.  There is no discernible reading design layout for the viewer to follow, which makes it difficult to process the information.  CBS, however, provides a logical design using what Steven Bradley refers to as the, "Zig-Zag Reading Pattern of Design Layout," with the main content alternating from the left to the right down the page.

            Websites for television networks are an important component of companies because they provide prospective viewers the opportunity to become acquainted with programming that the viewer is either unfamiliar with, or has maybe misjudged.  While NBC strives to offer a strong first impression and familiarity with their programs, they struggle with readability and continuity regarding their visual layout and navigations away from the homepage.  CBS opted for a sleeker approach, by using fewer words and images so that the information can stand-out, organized groupings of categories, colors that contrast well for reading, and enough information to peak interest.  Overall, the CBS website provides audiences with an entertaining and easily accessible opportunity to learn more about their programs.

 

                                                           Works Cited

Bear, Jacci Howard. "Color Symbolism." About.com. 2012. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/colorselection/p/blue.htm>.

Bradley, Steven. "3 Design Layouts: Gutenberg Diagram, Z-Pattern, and F-Pattern." Vanseo Design.com. 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.vanseodesign.com/web-design/3-design-layouts/>.

Cameron, Carolee. Web Design: Concepts and Best Practices. St. Paul: Paradigm, 2004. 109. Print.

Crowson, William, and Shannon Pochran. Exploring Web Design. By Jeremy Vest. New York: Thompson Delmar, 2005. 47. Print.

Krug, Steve. Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. 2nd ed. Berkeley: New Riders, 2006. 38. Print.

Owen, G. Scott. "Emotional Response to Color." Siggraph.org. 15 June 1999. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.siggraph.org/education/materials/HyperGraph/color/coloremo.htm>.

To Be or Not to Be Unplugged

           Matt Richtel’s article, Your Brain on Computers, details a technological world that is beginning to show cracks on the accomplished painting. While Kord Campbell appears to be on the extreme end of technological users, I can’t help but be reminded of some family members that exhibit similar addictive traits. I have noticed that those in my family that claim to be the reigning champions of multi-tasking, typically aren’t as productive as they might think. Like Campbell, my family members think that because they are checking emails, posting on Facebook, checking the scores of games, and reading the latest news, they believe they are doing this all very well. Unfortunately, I have been on the receiving end of this, and oftentimes, the emails are missing information or incomplete. I have also noticed that when I or my friends attempt to read the latest news while we are working on unrelated documents, the documents suffer, and we don’t even really remember what news we have been reading about. I think we all have moments of this, but I also think that there is a growing number of Kord Campbells in the world.

Technology provides us with incredible advances in information, and convenience, but it also has to be treated with respect. Campbell’s story is a sad example of what can happen when we choose to stay plugged into our gadgets and unplugged from our lives. It’s easy to become absorbed in reading emails and playing on the net, but maybe this article can teach us that technology comes at to high of a price when it results in us forgetting to live our lives.

AI is Unsettling

            Today, I watched and read about different types of Artificial Intelligence in classroom settings.  I had heard of Watson, the super computer that IBM computers had built for the Jeopardy competition, but I was unfamiliar with the concept of computers teaching in classrooms.  My initial reaction in learning this information was that I thought it was completely bizarre.  The interactions the children were having with the computers appeared awkward and unnatural, and it demonstrates definite limits with what we can do with computers.

            Affluent schools will be the only facilities that could even entertain AI teaching their children for much of the foreseeable future, because who else would be able to afford this type of teaching?  Many schools here and around the world are still struggling to get adequate textbooks and computers for their students.  As time goes on and the price of this technology begins to lessen substantially, I am afraid that the computer as a teacher will shift into the new norm.  Society has become so digitized and dependent on machines, that it seems as though AI teachers are inevitable in our future.  The video states that the computers would be assistant/ complimentary teachers, but who is to say that they will mot eventually replace human teachers altogether?  It sounds laughable right now, but so did many other ideas of computers taking over in areas that they eventually have, in fact, done so.

            One of my biggest issues with this concept is that there are certain invaluable intangibles that cannot be taught by a computer. Students need to interact with adult teachers to help guide them in proper etiquette, learn gesturing, learn to read adult’s facial expressions, and get positive feedback that a computer just cannot properly give a child.  There is only so much personality that you can create in a computer.

Sometimes it feels as though writers are slowly making their way onto the endangered species list.  Computers are processing and outputting at a much faster rates than humans, and the beautiful art form of writing and publishing hard-copy books are being suppressed by the age of technology.  Computers may someday be able to write informational books, or even fictional books from a specially designed program, but they cannot create deep metaphors, or language that evokes powerful feelings in its readers, because AI will never understand the beautiful experience of being a human being.

 

Perfect Will not be Good Enough in a Few Years

          We were asked to read several articles describing unbelievable lengths students will go to in order to gain slots in elite universities, the realization that bachelor's degrees do not get a person very far anymore, and the pressure we are facing in competing for jobs against not only man, but machine as well.  I was shocked to learn the expectations from companies on recent college graduates looking for job placement.  The fact that many now hold the view that a bachelor's degree is not enough to set apart a candidate is saddening to me.  I have barely been able to afford getting through a bachelor's degree, and there is no way I have the means to attend graduate school any time soon.  The fact that many companies now expect a master's degree as a minimum is unrealistic, because most college students have amassed so much debt just to get their undergraduate degree.  Asking students to postpone full-time jobs and accrue more financial debt is, in my opinion, asking far too much of students.

            Laura Georgianna states that master's degrees, "Says this person is committed," but I have to wonder why earning a bachelor's degree does not indicate the same dedication to companies.  It is not easy to earn a degree of any kind in today's times because the pressure to do well is high.  I would also argue that to stay in school and continue to fight for an education in a recession speaks volumes of the kind of dedication we students have had to put forth in order to achieve higher education.  We have become so obsessed with being perfect at everything and out competing everyone, that we have created unrealistic expectations on ourselves that only super-heroes can achieve.  I am all for working hard and pushing myself to see what I can achieve, but I think there comes a point when we become counterproductive in our pursuits to become the best.

           These articles really distressed me, because I have such high hopes when I graduate next month.   Learning that we not only have to compete with freakish super people, but now robots and software-guided machines, left me feeling disheartened and scared.  I just hope that my future employer, where ever they may be, will be satisfied with me, and not some robotic cheaper version of myself.

I am not Replaceable Yet

           Pankaj Ghemawat discusses in a seminar video that there is quite a misconception about the world no longer being flat. He admits that social media and other types of technology has increased our interactions with others around the world, but refutes the notion that our increase in technology has led to complete globalization. He states that the idea that, “ There is a no border effect,” is an overestimation, which he refers to as globalone.  I was relieved to hear a professor voice this given the depressing articles we had just read about globalization and technology taking over jobs.

Since we just read an article by Thomas L. Friedman informing us that robots are systematically taking the place of what we as humans contribute to work and society, I was feeling deflated.  So many, like Friedman, seem determined to tell us that we are going extinct in terms of our usefulness in society.  This leaves most of us feeling scared and angered, especially since we are working so hard to earn a college degree. We hear on a regular basis that we are constantly losing jobs in America either to people overseas, or to machines that can do the work of ten people and do not require any benefits.  Many, myself included, become nervous that there will not be a place for us in the workforce once we receive our diplomas, and why shouldn’t we?  We are constantly told that we are replaceable.

Ghemawat has given me hope that we are not quite as advanced as the media and general consensus would have us to believe. His statements suggesting that we need to do more fact-checking and remedy our overstatements when it comes to globalization is advice we definitely need to heed. In order for us to operate productively, we need to be accurate in our facts, rather than make general assumptions. I know that I will be sleeping a little better tonight, since I have learned that maybe a robot cannot replace me just yet.

 

 

How to Succeed

           Thomas Friedman stated in a recent lecture that the three major problems facing this country center on the budget deficit, energy, and globalization. As a student about to graduate next month, these issues will have a major impact in my search for a job. The budget deficit/crisis affects us all because it determines whether companies hire new employees, let newer employees go, and grow as small businesses or large operations. Since there is such a financial strain on the economy in general, many businesses have halted their plans to expand and are shipping their jobs overseas for larger profit margins.

           In regards to the energy problems, this has an impact on businesses that cannot afford the ever-increasing cost to fuel their companies and vehicles. Their budgets will have to make up for this in some capacity, such as putting the brakes on their hiring, or how much they can pay for those new people they do hire.

            The globalization issue is a complex monster to say the least. Friedman states that new graduates must possess, “The ability to learn and relearn,” which is a true statement. However, I do not necessarily believe that this is groundbreaking advice. The most successful people that I have known all share this same outlook when it comes to business and their personal lives. I have watched numerous people navigate in the world quite well because they have all shared the ability to adapt to their surroundings, and were adamant in being lifelong learners. This concept is not new. In order to do well in life, one must continue to learn and be prepared to work hard and adapt to the changing times.

            I know that in order to set myself apart to future employers, I must be willing to change and never become complacent with my job or my education. Education, in my opinion, goes far beyond the walls of this university. To me, someone who is educated is a person that never grows tired of learning and bettering themselves. I hope that my flame of interest in learning and growing never dims, so that I can carve-out a spot in this world built just for me.

Khan Academy: Education of the Future

I think Khan Academy is an incredible idea to help students learn. I was so impressed by the fact that their mission statement states, “A free world-class education for everyone everywhere,” because so much of the time many students are overlooked and neglected based on their socioeconomic level, or their school location. It is amazing that a man that began by helping his niece learn math through online tutorial videos, has now became the founder of a large and still growing non-profit organization that empowers students through learning.

I like that the ten-minute tutorial sessions allow the students to learn at their own pace, and that they have the lessons tailored to the unique learning style of each student.  When I was in middle and high school, I really struggled with math.  I had such a hard time with the basics of Pre-algebra in seventh grade.  Each year only compacted the problem, since I didn’t have a good foundation.  I felt light-years behind the other students that were barreling ahead of me, and my frustration  left me very discouraged.  I imagine there are a lot of students who have and will experience the same feelings of defeat as I did.  I believe that this type of learning will help eradicate those feelings of discouragement.  The students have the opportunity to go back and rewind the lessons as many times as they need without slowing down their peers, and they will have the guidance of their teacher to assist in any problems or questions that arise.

I love that Khan stated that this learning will, “Take the passivity out of the classroom, and allow the teacher to be a coach, not a lecturer.” I think this concept is key for the future of education.  Our test scores of the old system we have in place of a 50 minute lecture each day indicate that we are losing the battle in truly educating our kids. It speaks volumes that a man such as Bill Gates backs Khan and his academy, because he has been such an innovator in math, science and learning. This was a very inspiring segment about what a man can do with a closet, a laptop, and an educated mind.

Learning Online

           Learning on the Internet is nothing new. We have been witnessing college institutions offering online courses for a few years. What is new, however, is the availability of learning that is being made to the general public, and the notion that one does not necessarily have to go in debt for knowledge.  I watched a You Tube video that discusses different websites that allow users to listen to lectures and read important documents regarding different academic fields. Websites, such as, academicearth.org allows the viewer to watch a complete series of lectures by the same professor. This new wave of learning is fascinating, because it allows anyone who wants to better themselves and become educated the opportunity to learn what otherwise might be impossible.

Lewin’s NY Times article explores the difficulty some of the professors are facing once they have begun the new adventure of teaching online to anyone and everyone. Mr. Thrun was a professor at Stanford when he decided to teach an Artificial Intelligence course to students on campus and to students scattered all over the world. He discovered that online discussions and an eagerness to learn from the students enrolled in the online course gave him an addictive taste of how wide-ranging the possibilities could be in this type of format.

Mark Allan’s article discusses the latest trend that allows the everyday person to take a course from a respected institution from MIT or Harvard, but brings up a few points that deserve considerations.  He states that “Some courses don’t deviate from the traditional classroom-based model,” leaving some lectures to appear just as flat onscreen as they would be in person. He stresses that lecturers should not try to stick to the old plan of teaching but instead, should attempt to use the resources and uniqueness the online community provides.

            I like the idea that anyone has access to learning regardless of who they are because education can only strengthen society. It is important to note that not all the online classes are free, but even so, they are still cheaper than if one was to be enrolled at a university.  I personally prefer learning in class, but I think there are many who learn better at home.  I love the fact that there are choices being offered for different preferences and learning styles.

No iPhone 5 for Me

            I do not own a smart phone, and the “Find My iPhone” GPS service does not help convince me to purchase this type of phone.  In fact, the feature makes me more hesitant to purchase this type of phone now that I know it has this kind of capability. David Pogue’s argument is that the feature only works if the customer turns this feature on themselves, but how are we to know that the phone is still not being tracked at all times without our permission? He goes on to argue that we have bigger things to worry about than if companies may or may not be tracking their customers, but I disagree. We have all given up a lot of privacy in this technical age because of the convenience the technology brings in our lives, and this scares me that we are quick to dismiss that we all have a right to privacy.

            Since David Pogue is a technology columnist in a prominent New York newspaper, I have to question his objectivity in this issue. He was thrilled to learn that the “Find My Phone” component was able to recover his stolen device he so obviously loves, but I can’t help but wonder if he has any kind of monetary incentive in sharing his story.  I realize that his article about the iPhone 5 expressed frustration with the universal compatibility issue, but the rest of his article was very complimentary about the product and the genius of the Apple Company in general. His plea to his Twitter fans and his interview with PBS is great publicity for the company. He also paints Apple in a very attractive light that helps their customers with not only the use of the device, but also the recovery of it if lost. He seemed to completely brush off the idea that privacy is losing its footing in the country, because he loves his device.

            I am not saying that technology is evil.  I just do not feel the need to disclose where I am, whether knowingly or unknowingly any time soon.

Making History

       Clay Shirky's How Social Media Can Make History video, which discusses the various ways in which social media is creating a new technological path, is an interesting look at the impact social media has, is, and will continue to have on politics, the news, global disasters, and interconnecting with each other. His statement, "When technology gets boring it gets interesting," is a phrase that I had never heard before, but it makes sense. We have such incredible and constant technological advances, that we can oftentimes become less creative and complacent with our expressive selves. When the new eventually wears off from innovative concepts, society begins to find their creative niches and avenues into which they can break new ground. For example, people in China used their cell phones, which almost everyone had, to shed light on the tragic earthquake and its political aftermath that was taking place in 2009. So many citizens had voices in the media that were normally silenced by their government. People got creative with their phones and used them to teach the world events in real time. It was revolutionary.

         Tim Carmody's article 10 Reading Revolutions before E-Books reaffirms the idea that technology has to get somewhat boring before it can really take off, by describing that the printing press wasn't an immediate slam dunk in the beginning of its conception. He expresses an attitude such as, "This is incredible that we can produce manuscripts without copying them by hand, but now what?" Carmody explains that in the beginning there wasn't an obvious market for individuals that wished to purchase books, even those that were literate. He argues that it was a messy time early on in the Print Revolution. Once the new had worn off and enough time had passed, cultures realized it could unite "fragmented communities," and begin to form a much more universal written form of language. As with most things, it can be successfully argued that although new technology may at first just provide us with bells and whistles, in the end, it can ultimately be the driving force behind reshaping our thinking and manner of existence.

Digital Publishing

           I think that digitizing textbooks and other types of written work is going to bring about a resurgence of interest in reading and learning. In the last few years, publishing companies have been systematically losing money because the market has shifted from a predominately hard copy type of reading to one that is done online. Newspapers and magazines have especially been hit the hardest because they have to compete with news and entertainment agencies that offer free online information. Like Guy Kawasaki stated, “The customers who have already shelled out the money to buy the iPads are going to be willing to subscribe to content since they will want to use their new gadget.” The technology of reading everything online once seemed to threaten the publishing industry, but it appears that publishers that are willing to forgo the traditional methods of printing and adapt to the evolving technology will ultimately be able to once again compete in a market that has been pushing them to the side.

            I personally need a hard copy in front of me to learn, but I have to admit that the owner of Kno.com had me intrigued by his product. It is appealing to parents that their child can have everything loaded on one device instead of lugging around a heavy book bag, and that the student can interact with the content instead of just reading it. I did like the fact that the student could practice note cards as they read, or afterwards for review, because that is how I learn. The digital textbooks appear as though they would provide a better measurement for the student to see if they are truly retaining and understanding the content they are reading, especially if it is lengthy or heavy-loaded material. Also, because it is cheaper for the companies to create digital textbooks than published hard copies, they are able to pass the savings on to the consumer. This fact might mean that someone in medical school could save a lot of money on already expensive books. I think that whether we like digital books or not, they are here to stay. We may as well begin making the shift with the technology.

 

The Government is a Publisher. Did You Know?!

Julian Assange is an editor from Australia that created the Wikileaks website. This website allows various individuals to submit and publish information that typically is deemed highly classified. This information would generally never normally be seen by most, because it is sensitive in nature, and is likely to refute information that governments tend to change or cover up from the public. Since journalists operate under the 1^st Amendment, this has significant impact for writers and editors. Journalists expect, that even if they receive a lot of criticism for a story, they will still be given the freedom to speak their minds and report the truth, or their version of it at least.

            This story is important to follow because it may be the catalyst for drawing a line down the sand for what the government finds appropriate for civilians to publish and read. The argument is that state secrets have been disclosed, which have endangered the government, soldiers and even citizens. I have had a hard time making my mind up about this issue since it became a controversy. On the one hand, I think disclosing information about Afghans cooperating with the U.S. most likely put those in extreme jeopardy. However, I cannot state that I side with the government. Society is being given news and statistics from government agencies that have political agendas and, therefore, it allows them to shape the story or omit important elements. I have known this for a long time, which makes hearing Assange’s information on his website that much more interesting. Who better to know what is actually taking place in the government than the inside personnel?

            The United States assault on Assange and the fact that they are fighting this issue so loudly and publicly only appears to reaffirm the fact that the United States has very dirty secrets to hide. Assange stated that what this all comes down to is whether or not he is “subverting legitimate or illegitimate authority.” I think he’s right. It scares me that the government views itself as the final authority on all matters, including publishing. I’m not surprised, just terrified.

 

Response to a Classmate's Post Regarding Disapproval with Wikileaks

I agree that the military protects us and is important to our society, but I also think that governments have been operating in secrecy for far too long. The unchecked power governments have is disturbing, which results in government agencies doing as they please and manipulating others with no consequences. How can we ever make good decisions as citizens if we do not know what really takes place in the world, especially when we have lost thousands of soldiers and billions of dollars on a war that has not been reported accurately?

Response to a Classmate's Anger Towards Julian Assange

Assange is proof that the government really doesn't give us true freedom of speech. We are told that we have this right in the 1st Amendment, but when issues or facts are raised that tarnish the appearance of the U.S. or dispute what they have been reporting to us, retaliation ensues from our government. If Assange is extradited to the United States for espionage charges, it will be a giant step backwards in regards to all our rights as citizens. If they can persecute a non-citizen in such a way for publishing documents, what will they do to those of us here who speak our minds or demand the truth from journalists?

Egypt and Wall Street

Hacktivism is the non-violent use of computers and networking sites as a tool for protesting one’s political beliefs. Groups such as Anonymous are known for using the concept of hacktivism for online and offline community users. They despise any type of internet censorship or policing of activities by the government.

It’s interesting to observe some of the parallels between the protesting that took place in Egypt and the Occupy Wall Street Movement in the United States. Protesters in both countries had grievances with their governments. In the case of Egypt, they were fighting to overthrow their oppressive leader and make their country more democratic and equal to all. The Wall Street protesters have been fighting against the government and the corporations that leave a great gulf between those that have much and those with very little. In both cases, social networking sites were being attempted to unite those with a common cause and to get the word out on where and when protests would be taking place. Both countries were participating in non-violent protests, and much of each country’s age of the protesters was young people. In both cases, they were younger in age, because it is the young people who participate and utilize social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and texting the most.

It seems difficult to imagine the United States government shutting down all Internet access to its citizens, as it was done to the Egyptian people last year. The government keeps surveillance on us all while we are on the Internet, and goes after those they deem is a threat to its “national security,” but I just can’t see the government pulling off what the Egyptian government did to their people. In large part it is because our government is already set up to give certain freedoms to our citizens under the protection of the Constitution, whereas the Egyptian people were protesting for these very types of rights. Also, the Egyptian government owned and controlled the majority of the companies that provided Internet service to its citizens, while Internet corporations here are not under the control of the government. It is frightening to think of how paralyzing it would be for us here if we lost the ability to communicate with each other through technology.

Nakoula Basseley's Distasteful Movie Still Deserves Free Speech

          I personally do not agree with the insulting content that the filmmaker has chosen to put forth in his upcoming movie, but I feel that he deserves to create his film under the same protection as any other filmmaker who has the privilege of free speech. Glenn Greenwald’s comment that, “Free speech is intended to protect-to foster- exactly those ideas that are most offensive, most provocative,” is exactly the belief that our country was founded upon. I am not surprised by the White House’s request to You Tube to remove the video, just disappointed. The government has no right to interfere in having the video removed, because if it was taken down, what would be next? It’s a slippery slope, and it will open the door for future attacks on freedom of speech and censorship, and those future times it will be on a much less controversial issue. The U.S. government is trying to do the very same thing they are accusing Libya and other countries of doing, which is using the video and the reactions to push their own agendas.

            I stated in an earlier discussion that Assange has the right to publish documents, and even though he has angered our government, the U.S. officials have no right or basis for pursuing legal charges. Like Assange, Nakoula Basseley has the right to produce and distribute his movie, as vile as I think it is. Greenwald is right in stating that we can’t claim to be supporters of freedom of speech when it best suits us, but instead have to accept that we will have to embrace ideas and images we find reprehensible and disgusting. I think it’s interesting that the BBC article states that the actors have already distanced themselves from the movie, citing that they had no clue as to what the filmmaker was actually producing.  I’m sure from fear of the forthcoming backlash.

            I think that it is sad and disturbing that people have lost their lives over this irreverent video, but if we allow our government and other countries to determine what can be produced and what should be censored, we will ultimately be the ones that have lost.

Stop Online Piracy Act Censorship

The SOPA video describes the dangers of the government getting involved when deciding how to punish those that pirate videos and music illegally. I thought the quote, “This legislation could hinder the free expression,” was really interesting, because it describes how slippery a slope it will be when corporations and Congress decide what constitutes copyright infringement.

The fact that the language in the proposed bills is purposely ambiguous makes me uncomfortable, because it signals to citizens that the government is giving themselves ample leeway in the future to trample our rights. Rather than punish the agencies and users overseas, all of the blame and punishment would be placed on the individual citizen. The article describes a lengthy, expensive, and somewhat convoluted method that the average person would be forced to partake in, should they get in trouble under the large wingspan of this bill.

I have honestly never thought about the Internet being fragile before, because I just assumed it was a mammoth machine that couldn’t be stopped. I was amazed and surprised by the fact that it would take very little to cripple or shut down the Internet.  The fact that there are miles upon miles of small, delicate, and unguarded cords that could be severed easily and at any time is quite mind-blowing.  I realize that it is impracticable for these cords to be patrolled, but it is frightening to think how easily it would be for someone with a grudge to cut some cords and systematically send us back to a different century.

I also found myself intrigued by the comparison of big-dog sites like Facebook to strip-mall chains such as Walmart.  It bothers me that popular websites can offer one-stop shopping that will virtually run the smaller sites out of business. I am realizing that I should be paying a lot more attention to what is going on with technology and the government, and that it is in my best interest to hold our elected officials to a higher standard, because apparently they won’t think twice when it comes to infringing on our rights.