Bonus Blog: My Phone Knows Me Better Than I Know Myself...

 Have you ever caught yourself thinking or talking about a product or place and moments later you are seeing an advertisement for it on your phone? I have had this happen to me countless times with shoes I wanted to buy, a restaurant, & even for a gym membership! I feel as though my devices such as my phone and laptop are “listening” to me and it is frightening that technology has evolved to this and questions the idea of an invasion of privacy. 

 

I have had targeted ads reach me through various ways. They can come through as an Instagram ad, on a Spotify or Sound Cloud commercial, and on the recommended shopping section on Facebook. 

 

Technology has made some serious advancements in the past decade and guessing my next purchase is like a game of mind control. These are described as targeted ads which means they are based on your search history, location, and other internet activity. It is no secret that Google and Facebook use your data to find your interests in order to sell you something. This is how they make money, they are not in business to know everything about you they just want to find any way to take your money.

 

No matter the reasoning it still feels that I am being listened to and that my conversations and inner thoughts are being monitored. Facebook does exactly what the government tells them to do which may be the worst privacy to exist considering the billions of users on the app. 

Lights, CAMERA, Action (EOTO)

Living in a world where technology is forever advancing, it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the history of a product. This is extremely prevalent with technology that relates to communication. For my EOTO I researched the camera and thoroughly enjoyed learned about the early models to high tech versions today. I also got to view the different lenses that these devices were meant for such as capturing photos, the beginning of photojournalism, and even the ones that are attached to our cell phones.

 

The first camera was the Pinhole camera that was developed by philosophers Mo-ti, Aristotle, and Euclid. This invention was able to reflect images using light and projection to show an inverted picture of what the pinhole is focusing on. In the 1500’s the Camera Obscura was created and was also known as the dark chamber. This type was invented by Alhazenn. The next forms were Daguerreotypes and Calotypes, these unique types used mercury vapor and a strong solution of salt to develop photos after exposure. The more popular types of cameras are Kodak’s and film which were invented by George Eastman. These cameras were used for photographic film and revolutionized the beginning of photojournalism. Reise cameras soon took over the camera industry. They were known as “travel cameras' ' because they were extremely light weight which allowed them to be easily transported. This camera changed the way of journalism because it introduced the idea of photojournalism. 

 

Photojournalism is the particular form of journalism that employs images in order to tell a news story. The easily accessible Reise camera allowed journalist and non-journalist document events through photos. One of the most amazing things about cameras is that you can relive an event through the stories that the camera portrays. Photo-journalists are a critical part of our history as well as our current news. No matter what generation you are a part of, photos are a common ground for all which I appreciate because I can connect with anyone through the work a camera can do.

 

Moving on to “modern” cameras we have the introduction of the 35mm/ Candid camera. These were considered the first real mobile cameras because they made the job quick and easy. In addition, all film cameras were based off of the 35mm camera. Following that there was the introduction of the infamous Polaroid. It was invented by Edwin Land in 1984 and photos were printed within 1 minute! The first digital camera was the Sony Mavica in 1981. This meant that there was a video recorder as well as it had the capabilities to be displayed on a monitor. 

 

Nowadays we are more familiar with cameras such as DSLR’s, Camcorders, Smartphones, and GoPro’s. I remember at a young age I was introduced to photography and was so excited to see what new camcorder or lens was coming out because there was nothing better than taking photos of my favorite places or experiences. Technology is forever advancing and before we know it the next new camera will be created! It is so fascinating to see the technical progression made over time for an object that has the same function, create an everlasting photo. 

Find Out More Info Below:

https://www.photoblog.com/learn/history-of-cameras/

studiobinder.com/blog/when-was-the-camera-invented/

https://photography.lovetoknow.com/Why_Is_Photojournalism_Important

Eight Values of Free Expression Recap!

The freedom of expression is one of the most important aspects to being a citizen of the United States. There are eight speech theories that identify why it is so important to Americans. These theories consist of the Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment,  Check on Government Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation and Protect Dissent. Some of these theories resonate with me more than others but all carry immense value and importance to the reason we have freedom of expression. These theories connect to many present day social media resources and can help understand the happenings in the real world. 

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Personally, two theories speak to me the most. I have seen these two theories present in my own life through various news stories and events. The two theories are Stable Change and Individual Self-Fulfillment. Ultimately, understanding the importance of each theory and how it is still seen today is beneficial to understanding the evolution of the first amendment. 

Stable Change relates to the idea that citizens are allowed to “vent” if they are angry and alienated. This allows the United States government to monitor potentially dangerous groups who could act out in violence. Having the ability to speak out is a much better choice than committing acts of violence. I like to see the Stable Change theory as a balance that the government creates between angry civilians and non-violent approaches. An example of this would be peaceful protesters. In March of 2018, The March for Our Lives commenced in Washington D.C.. This march was about adding more gun-control in America after 17 were left dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A former student opened fire at the school and his accessibility to weapons such as a semiautomatic rifle enraged millions and an estimated 800,000 people were present at the march. Instead of causing more violent crimes protesters gathered for their voices and messages to be heard by congress for changes to be developed. I even remember walking out of my high school campus (in early April) across to the state representatives office to peacefully protest against gun violence. Another prime example of Stable Change are the Stonewall Riots. In the 1960’s the New York Police Department commonly raided gay bars. Members of the LGBTQ+ community had enough on June 28th, 1969 when officers raided the Stonewall Inn and began protesting for six straight days. This protest led to the start of the Christopher Street Liberation Day march where the theory Stable Change is represented. 

Individual Self-Fulfillment relates to human dignity and how we are free to express ourselves to create our own unique identities. This theory feels extremely personal to me because it is important to me that I am able to identify in a way that makes me feel that I am living my most authentic life. I believe that having individual self-fulfillment is critical to freedom of expression. In other countries such as South Korea, they are limited in the ways they can create their own identities. Specifically, there is clear official censorship set in place by The National Security Law that makes it illegal to share sympathies or beliefs with North Korea, however much more of the censorship is focused towards the media. Contrastingly, as Americans we can share our opinions freely with very little restrictions. We are also free to express ourselves by appearance while countries such as Sudan and North-Korea are not given this option. 

Find Out More Info Below: 

https://www.ucf.edu/news/7-influential-protests-in-american-history/

https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=uhuru

Antiwar Voices Do Exist

For as long as I can remember I have never read or heard any material that covers information from an “antiwar” voice. I can vividly remember sitting in my 8th grade history class and hear my teacher boasting on how great our troops were doing in other countries to protect us, when in reality they were killing innocent civilians including women and children. Even in the news I have never seen a perspective that goes against war.

 

It is frustrating to live in a country whose media portrays a false sense of what is going on overseas because it is not the absolute truth. One story posted on Antiwar.com highlights the withdrawing of US troops in Afghanistan. Uninvolving ourselves (United States) is a great idea because it would allow Afghanistan to shape their own future but this idea “struck terror” to many in Washington. This is because all arms makers and former generals will no longer be supported financially by the government. Many cannot accept the idea that withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan will bring peace among the two nations and allow them to positively grow and change.

A positive change for the United States could be forming better relationships with countries in Central Asia since they will no longer be in control on those soils. In addition, US troops can be useful in places where needed, not to illegally torture innocent civilians. Afghanistan will be able to grow tremendously and improve living conditions without war. They can also focus on progressing their own military for better usage. Diplomats from the United States and Afghanistan negotiated for the “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which is not recognized by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban, and the United States of America.” This deal means that American troops will leave by May, 2021 and the Taliban will guarantee to never allow any group “to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.”

 

I think it is bizarre that you have to seek out obscure websites in order to hear strong antiwar voices. I feel as though if I were introduced to these voices in my early education I would not automatically believe what the media is feeding me. I want to continue to educate myself and others on the importance of antiwar voices and the damage that is being covered up by our news and media.

Find out more info below:

https://www.antiwar.com/

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/web-categories/realism-restraint/

The Six Clauses and Bedrock Principles seen Today

 

When we think about the first amendment of the constitution of the United States the first thing to (usually) pop up is “freedom of speech”. There are six clauses within the first amendment and so much more than these clauses that are applied. The six clauses or freedoms are freedom of religion, from religion, assembly, press, speech, and petition for address of grievances. In addition to these freedoms there are three bedrock principles that lay down the fundamental ideas of the clauses.

The Three Bedrock Principles:

1) First amendment protection is not absolute.

2) First Amendment protection is not a shield against laws of general applicability

3) Freedom of the press is a “fundamental right” not an institutional one.

These three principles are found in many media sources today and I want to outline how they are seen in today’s news! This article represents how speech and action may be inciting violence and how the first amendment may come into play.

1) First amendment protection is not absolute.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538246-trumps-alleged-incitement-brings-first-amendment-into-focus?rl=1

This article published by John Kruzel focuses on Trump’s Incitement and how the first amendment was brought into focus. Kruzel writes, “In a legal trial, the line between protected speech and unprotected incitement hinges on three elements: intent, plus the immediacy and likelihood of lawlessness.” It is important to think about this principal in terms of protected speech and how it is seen in the media in the past and today.

When I think of the first principle of how the first amendment protection is not absolute I think of examples such as shouting fire in a theater or directly threatening the president. This example and many others like it are read daily and it is important to analyze it with a first amendment lens.

Find out more info below:

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538246-trumps-alleged-incitement-brings-first-amendment-into-focus?rl=1