Blog Post Final

  Unintended Consequences Of Technology 

Technology, especially social media, can have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly for children. As This Article notes, "Kids are subjected to a constant barrage of online content, often shared by their parents," leading to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. One individual shared that they "felt embarrassed and betrayed" by their parents' posts about them, highlighting how these digital exposures can negatively impact their sense of privacy and self-esteem. The article further explains how "constant comparison to others online deepens insecurity," with many children struggling to maintain a healthy self-image. Ultimately, these pressures and invasions of privacy can contribute to heightened stress and emotional distress, emphasizing the dark side of our increasingly connected world. There are many reasons why people use technology. However, it has changed how we communicate with the world. This is an excellent example of how this child had no idea what was said about them and only realized what was happening after joining social media. This also raises the question of whether you must join social media to be a part of the new world. She had no idea what was being said about her online. I feel there should be a hybrid of being on social media. However, it can really consume your life, and you need to find a balance that works for you. 

This has had an effect on most young people. According to this article, Youth suicide rates in the U.S. have been rising steadily, with a concerning 56% increase from 2000 to 2017. The rate among young people ages 10 to 24 reached 10.6 deaths per 100,000 by 2017. This troubling trend makes suicide the second leading cause of death for this age group. This trend not only undermines a pressing public health crisis but also reveals significant racial disparities. This can be seen as the rate of suicide attempts among black youth surged by an astounding 73% during this same period, highlighting a critical need for targeted interventions and support systems. Researcher Michael Lindsey emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, "These findings suggest that continued concern and attention regarding suicidal behavior among high school-aged youth is warranted." This call to action urges communities and policymakers to prioritize mental health resources and develop effective strategies to address the rising rates of suicide, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to this crisis is essential in fostering a safer and healthier environment for all young people.

When talking about social media, they are all extremely addictive. I feel that the largest issue with social media is that people tend to allow it to consume their lives. There are so many good ways to use social media; however, it becomes addictive to some people, including me. In order to combat this, I personally have it set to where my phone will not go on any social media for the past two hours. This has helped me reconnect with the world and allowed me to explore other hobbies, such as hiking, on my own.

But that being said, it is clear that technology is extremely good for the world. However, it has led to extreme polarization in today's society, according to the Pew Research Center.

I try my best to get it not blurry however it clearly shows how that in the 90s before social media it was very clear that our country was very centerned however if you take a look at 2014 you can clearly see that in fact the trend that has continued is that we are constantly getting more and more polarized. This has a lot of unintended consequences, such as my being a political science major, clearly shows how we can't get anything done. It's challenging to pass a vote when it is a clear 50-50 divide. In today's society, you cannot be with or even talk to the other side of the country. I genuinely feel that the most glaring problem is due to social media. It is very easy for social media companies to use your data to make a profit. Two hate is profitable. Social media companies make more profit based on how much you use their service. It makes perfect sense that if social media companies allow their platforms to be so polarized as it is today, it makes them more money.

Blog post #9

Illusionary Truth Theory is a cognitive bias in which repeated exposure to a statement or piece of information increases a person's likelihood of believing it to be true, even if the information is false or misleading. As an example, if you were to see this very post of Drake being at the Superbowl quite a few times such as this one:

Then you would assume that he was, in fact, at the Superbowl watching Kendrick Lamar performing his song. He was not there, in fact. Indeed, he was performing a show in Australia. 

This is just a tiny example of the issue of Illusionary Truth Theory. There can be much more significant issues, such as if a large media owner such as Sinclare.  They own or operate 294 stations with 89 markets ranging in size from as large as Washington, D.C. If they were to have a certain agenda, such as trying to pump their own message, it would look something like this: 

  

  This highlights Sinclair's practice of requiring its local anchors to read scripted segments, blurring the lines between journalism and political propaganda. It examines the role of Sinclair in shaping media narratives, influencing public opinion, and fueling the broader culture of media distrust in America. Moving on from this, there is a real-world example of this occurring, such as Pizzagate. 

The conspiracy theory that emerged during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. It falsely claimed that a child sex-trafficking ring involving high-profile politicians, including then-Democratic Party members like Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager John Podesta, was being run out of a Washington, D.C., pizzeria called Comet Ping Pong. While this was occurring, this was spread in many ways, such as on Facebook and Twitter. 

This caused it to become the trending trend on Google on March 18th, 2020. When this occurred, many people wanted to "save the children." This happened till “Three days later, armed with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, a .38 handgun, and a folding knife, he strolled into the restaurant and headed toward the back, where children were playing ping-pong”. This highlights the terrifying real-world consequences of how conspiracy theories, like Pizzagate, can escalate. The individual mentioned Edgar Welch, believed in a fabricated, harmful narrative and, unfortunately, took matters into his own hands by going to the pizzeria with a weapon.

https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/anatomy-of-a-fake-news-scandal-125877/

What to take from this?

The repeated exposure to false information, such as the false claim about Drake attending the Super Bowl or the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, makes people more likely to believe these fabricated stories simply due to familiarity. You need to look at other sources of information to really see the facts. This is even scarier when large media companies can send out packages to their local news stations to promote particular agendas, shaping public opinion and blurring the lines between journalism and propaganda. This highlights the importance of critical thinking, responsible media consumption, and the need for checks and balances in the media to prevent the spread of harmful, misleading information.

Blog post #8

    Social Media

Why did they catch on and spread? 

Social media offered clear advantages over previous forms of communication, such as email, phone calls, or traditional media. It allowed users to connect with others instantly and share their lives, ideas, and opinions. It also gave small and large businesses another way to advertise to customers directly and personally.

Why did so many people become early adopters?

People want to be part of something new and participate in it. They must build an online presence and connect with others in their field. Social media is an excellent tool for promoting their personal brands or businesses.

 Why are some people late adopters? Or not adopters at all?

There are several ideas on why people can be late adopters. You can be a part of a market that has not been reached yet, or certain social media may be for certain age demographics, with Instagram being for primarily younger people, X for older people, and Facebook (sorry) primarily for people above the age of 10. Some people also avoid these platforms because they are wary of how their personal data will be used or exploited.   

 What about the downsides? Do you see any negative consequences of the technology?

I honestly primarily don't use social media. I mainly use it to communicate with people and to watch videos or news. I don't Post very much, nor do I do Streaks (sending a picture to your friend daily to keep a number up on Snapchat). You might have concerns about the impact of social media on your mental well-being, particularly regarding comparison, self-esteem, or addiction.  

https://kentucky.kvc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Positive-Impact-of-Social-Media-on-Teens-copy.png

 For example, why am I not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media? 

You may not be on it because you are of a certain age, as certain social media are designed for specific demographics. You may also not want all your personal data to be used or exploited by data brokers. You might also be concerned about your mental well-being, as stated before. You might prefer a life with less digital clutter. What I mean is to avoid the constant barrage of notifications, updates, and curated content. 

Would the positive outweigh to negative? 

You may benefit from the ease of staying connected with friends, family, and professional networks. Other social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, can be used for good, allowing you to build a personal brand or promote a business.

https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4D12AQFHjnsmfwwfQw/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/0/1695103191965?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=Le2crZjGUPAxMkxMaaQRVVlmIyhbFX3RIdJt_vgRnqg

How do you weigh that cost-benefit analysis with a new communication technology? 

We need to weigh the cost-benefit analysis of adopting social media. You must consider your goals: Are they for staying connected, professional networking, or accessing information? Once you figure that out, you must assess the potential downsides, such as mental health impacts, privacy concerns, and time spent. It may be worth adopting if the benefits align with your goals and you can manage the negative aspects. However, if the downsides, such as privacy loss, may outweigh the positives, staying off or using it selectively might be better. Balancing both is key.

Blog Post #7

 

Mainstream media outlets often rely on advertisers and corporate sponsors for funding.  These websites, such as Antiwar.com and Theamericanconservative.com, don't have larger sponsors that have a greater agenda. They only have sponsors such as a book about stopping Ukraine and Phone Banking for keeping the National Guard out of wars. Doing more research, as stated on their website, they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their operations are primarily supported by the contributions of individuals who align with their antiwar mission. Shockingly, most media organizations have economic and political relationships with defense contractors, the government, and other powerful entities, which can discourage critical coverage of military interventions. According to the Pew Research Center, political advertising generates a significant amount of revenue.

 But what does that mean? If you have a specific agenda, then you get rid of some potential sponsors.  You wouldn't have trump advertising on CNN or Harris on Fox. You can say the same thing about the Medical Industry. This financial dependence can create a bias in coverage, leading to more favorable portrayals of certain drugs, treatments, or medical practices, potentially downplaying risks or controversies.  When they appear, there is a real risk of potentially downplaying risks or controversies.  According to the Guardian, " Pharmaceutical companies spend far more than any other industry to influence politicians. Drugmakers have poured close to $2.5bn into lobbying and funding members of Congress over the past decade". Swaine, Jon. "Big Pharma's Money and Lobbying Behind the Opioid Crisis." The Guardian, 19 Oct. 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/19/big-pharma-money-lobbying-us-opioid-crisis.

This is a significant amount of money that may raise some issues when politicians may have a conflict of interest. 

                                                                                  

Blog post #6

Looking at Andrew Lefever's post about the history of the cellphone. The most interesting topic he talks about is the Japanese Sharp J-SHO4. He said, "The Japanese Sharp J-SHO4 was not only able to incorporate a camera but also slim the overall model down to weigh just four ounces, beginning the trend of making our smartphones sleek and lightweight". While doing my own research, I discovered that this was exclusive to the Japanese market and only to one carrier. Despite this, it sold around 5 million phones. This phone made cameras such a Mainstream feature in phones in the early 2000s. This is the first phone to make the rise of selfies, mobile photo sharing, and social media integration.  There was a significant shift in consumer demand, where camera quality became a key selling point for phones. It also had video, which the first iPhone did not have. Apple continuously improves camera quality with these types of phones in the market.

https://www.mobilephonemuseum.com/phone-detail/j-phone-j-sh04

History of The Radio #4

 

Guglielmo Marconi

https://hamradioacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Marconi_and_his_wireless_apparatus_1897.jpg (1895)

The modern radio started in 1895, when Guglielmo Marconi sent out the first wireless transmission. Amusingly, the first message was, "Can you hear me?" It was sent using radio waves to transmit signals over a distance. Marconi also founded his own company, the Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company, in 1897. He became very successful and was crucial in developing radio communication and wireless telegraphy. Eventually, the company merged with BAE Systems and Ericsson in the early 2000s.

Reginald Fessenden

 

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtlw6STQ1equeZzNX5KaFUdqcK2bX_TOGQGA&s

On December 24, 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast. He Fessenden played "O Holy Night" on the violin. He sang a Christmas carol, read a passage from the Bible, and sent spoken greetings to ships at sea. This radio transmission is the first known broadcast with voice and music rather than Morse code. Reginald Fessenden patented over 500 inventions in his lifetime, covering radio, sonar, and electrical systems. Fessenden developed an underwater sound detection system known as the Fessenden Oscillator. This early sonar technology was used extensively to detect submarines during World War I. This was also (which will be talked about later) used to find icebergs after the Titanic disaster.

The Titanic disaster

fhttps://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmovies.mxdwn.com%2Freviews%2Fclassic-movie-review-titanic-1997%2F&psig=AOvVaw06IDx1ClzgK6Vn6S5LIXa3&ust=1738280206763000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCKCA8sSMnIsDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE (1912)

The Titanic disaster highlighted the need for radios on larger ships and for more safety equipment. The Ship had the most state-of-the-art Marconi wireless telegraph system and two Marconi radio operators, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride. The Radio Act required licensed radio operators on large ships and ships to always have licensed radio operators on duty. Marconi Technology was on the Titanic and saved as many lives as possible. It also gave the U.S. government regulatory authority over radio frequencies.

World War 2

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2042724072

During World War 2, the radio played a critical role in military communication, propaganda, intelligence, and public morale. Frequency modulation (FM) was used extensively during the war. It improved military communications by providing more precise signals that were less susceptible to interference.

Fm Radio

https://shop.nypl.org/products/retro-radio-bluetooth-speaker

FM radio became much better and cheaper during the late 40's. With FM, it had much better quality and a more excellent resistance to static This made FM particularly great for music broadcasting, as it could deliver a more transparent and more dynamic sound.

https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/radio-djs/

Disk Jockeys

Due to Allen Freed, Disk jockeys became key players in music broadcasting during the 1950s. Freed, a Cleveland-based DJ, is credited with popularizing the term "rock and roll " and bringing rhythm and blues (R&B) music to a broader audience. 

Rise of Satellite radio

https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/radio-djs/

Sirus and Xm were two companies that realized that they would not survive unless they merged.  A major problem was keeping subscribers. This occurred in 2008. This merger helped them cut costs, reduce competition, and offer a more potent content lineup, including deals with Howard Stern, the NFL, and exclusive music channels.

Podcasts

https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/radio-djs/

While traditional radio relies on scheduled programming and live broadcasts, podcasts offer on-demand, downloadable content, allowing listeners to engage at their convenience. Video podcasts on YouTube and Spotify blur the line between radio and digital media. Joe Rogen has hosted a diverse range of guests, including comedians, scientists, politicians, athletes, and controversial figures. In 2020, Rogan signed an exclusive licensing deal with Spotify, which was reportedly worth $100 million, making it one of the biggest podcast deals ever. This deal shows the true rise of podcasts.

https://www.elon.edu/u/imagining/time-capsule/150-years/back-1890-1930/

https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/radio-djs/

Blog post #3

 Participation in self-government, to me, is one of the most important values of free expression. I probably wouldn't have picked this one if you asked me this last year. From last semester, taking Campaigns and Elections class and working on Josh Stein's campaign, that everyone should participate in the election process. I felt (very small) I had an impact on the election by actually going out and knocking on doors. I also phone banked a lot (which sucked) but doing this showed me that you need to participate in the election process.

I feel that TikTok is an excellent example of Checks on government power. I say this because banning TikTok sets a precedent for any social media to be effectively banned. Even though TikTok is run through Oracle servers, there is no real evidence that the Chinese government is stealing data. According to this article, "the Justice Department and a senior U.S. intelligence official say flatly that they have no direct evidence China has used TikTok for propaganda purposes in the U.S." So that leads to the question of why it is being banned. As you said, the argument that they are collecting data is also baseless due to how a social media company makes money. They have to collect data just like every other social media, and yet there's no direct evidence China has used TikTok for propaganda purposes in the U.S. 

A theory helps explain real-world phenomena by providing a structured framework to identify patterns, establish cause-and-effect relationships, and predict outcomes. An example I can think of is if we observe someone someone trying to become a faster runner. We see that if they work out more, they will become a faster runner. By offering concepts and principles, theories help us interpret why events occur and how different factors are connected, allowing us to make informed decisions or predictions based on the insights they provide. Another example, rational choice theory can be used to explain voting behavior in elections. Suppose there is a low turnout in an election. In that case, people's rational choice theory might interpret this as people perceiving that the cost of voting, such as time and effort, outweighs the potential impact of their vote.

Another theory that I agree with is Promoting tolerance. America has its problems, but we are a nation of many different types of people who live together. I have visited NYC many times, and it's a great example of Promoting tolerance. There are many different types of people that live in NYC; however, they live next to each other side by side. Writing this post has made me think of how these theories can be applied to American daily life and how it's a real opportunity to just be born here.