Blog Post #11 EOTO: What I learned Today

In class today we did our second Each One Teach One presentation. The presentation group I believe I learned the most about today was the Awareness group. They went over Propaganda, Disinformation, Total Information Awareness, False Flags, and the Five Eyes. The two topics that I truly had no idea about and felt like I learned the most information about was the topic on False Flags & the Five Eyes

False Flags

Few concepts are as mysterious and divisive in the world of covert operations and conspiracy theories as "false flags." The simple idea of false flags often leads to raging discussions, irrational speculation, and an atmosphere of general mistrust. However, what precisely are false flags and why do they hold so much interest for so many people? In the presentation, the presenters went over examining the idea of false flags, looking at some historical examples, and talking about how they affect society.

A secretive activity carried out by a group or government body with the goal of confusing onlookers and transferring blame to a different party is referred to as a false flag operation. The phrase first appeared in naval warfare, as ships would fly flags from many countries to trick their adversaries. Today, it has grown to include a variety of actions, such as staged events, deception campaigns, and fabricated stories.

False flags have a significant impact on society, frequently increasing anxiety, causing division, and undermining faith in institutions we are supposed to trust on a day-to-day basics. The disclosure of a false flag operation has the potential to spark public mistrust, feed conspiracy theories, and foster a climate of distrust. As governments respond by tightening security, the aftermath of such events may also lead to the erosion of civil liberties.

Five Eyes

The idea of privacy has grown more complicated in an age of advanced technology and connectivity. The "Five Eyes" alliance stands out as a powerful intelligence-sharing collaboration among the many alliances and cooperative frameworks that governments have built. The presenters went into the Five Eyes partnerships, their history, workings, and controversy, and what it means for privacy around the world.

Five English-speaking nations make up the Five Eyes intelligence alliance: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This alliance's beginnings can be traced to the immediate post-World War II period when these countries realized the importance of extensive intelligence cooperation to thwart Soviet activities. The alliance has broadened its focus beyond its initial emphasis on signals intelligence (SIGINT) to include a variety of monitoring and espionage missions.

When listening to these presenters it was truly eye-opening and I honestly had no idea about these two different types of secrets the government sort of has on the United States.

Final Blog Post!

Technology has changed the way we interact in good and bad ways. My personal experience with technology started when I was only 9 when I got my first iPod. I couldn't message and I couldn't call but I could use it for music. My parents restricted the internet and all social media platforms off of my iPod and I remember being so upset about it. But I now know why.

At 13 I got my first phone where the restrictions were lifted but my parents made me sign an agreement that I was never to post or send anything that would be diminishing to my personal image, they explained to me how the internet can ruin people's lives. My parents were brilliant at making sure I understood the weight of the power of owning technology. 

I think one of the best moments I've had with technology is over covid. Connecting with my family and friends was only able to be done over technologies such as Zoom and Facetime. That I believe is the one time I truly had an appreciation for technology. 

Other than that I believe the use of technology only has certain benefits to certain people. Everyone uses technology in different ways. The way I use technology as a 19-year-old in college who works remote internships is much different than my father a 50-year-old in-person employee as a partner for a tax firm.

I use my technology to be able to get my work done, to get my grades up, and to email back and forth with teachers. I haven't had a single assignment since I got to college that has been passed in on paper. 

When it came to college I had to be on technology a lot more than I liked, my screen time went up on my phone staying in contact with my friends and family who were almost 12 hours away. I believe my relationship with technology though it has strengthened is worse than it was before. 

I believe my relationship now with technology is unhealthy. My work-life balance isn't positive because I can always be "on call" cause all our lives are based on this technology. The remote internship I'm currently working on has me on the clock 2-6 on weekdays. But when I open my laptop and have work to get done and I can see my boss already sent me my daily to-do list I am more than likely to push work aside to try to get ahead of my internship load for the day. I work almost 8-7 now whether that includes school work and/or internship work. I'll even do work on the weekends because heck why not? My laptop is right here, I don't have an office I need to head into. I can just open my laptop up and start working for as long as I want.

This is an unhealthy relationship with technology. The feeling you can't put it down or that you have to keep working can have negative impacts on your mental health and your emotions can become unbalanced and you start to feel a sense that your whole life is never going to stop with work.

This factor truly hit during COVID-19. Prior to Covid, I had never heard of remote working. My dad worked full time in an office and went to work 9-5 Monday through Friday. My mom was a yoga instructor at a yoga studio so she only worked part-time. But the day covid hit all of a sudden they were both home 24/7. My dad would take conference calls from his room and my mom would film her yoga classes. But the same problem also happened to them. Since there was inherently nothing to do during covid their jobs started sort of taking over their life because it gave them purpose and something to do. The struggle with this though is that it was all online. In front of laptop screens and tablets all day and all night.

I personally think the people with the healthiest relationships with technology are the older generations. I mean most of them do hate the advancements so it truly would change if they liked the advancements but we can take my grandfather for example. He has an Android phone and an iPad. He uses his phone for texts and calls and that's about it. That's how he communicates with his family. He uses his iPad for reading the news and books in his free time. I believe that when we learn that a. phone should merely just be a communication device the stronger we can make the in-person connections around us.

My last story actually takes place in the fall semester of 2022 at my friend's house. He had all invited us over for the weekend at his house in NC. We got there and relaxed hung out and then the power went out. His mom told us it should be back on before we know it but little did we know we would actually be without power for the next 24 hours. At first, it sucked. There was no cell data at my friends' house cause he sort of lives off the beaten path. But I now consider this one of my favorite moments of sophomore year. We all turned our phones off after an hour of realizing they weren't going to turn on. We lit some candles, played board games, talked about college, and our futures. It truly was the night I became the closest with my friends. All because we lost power. 

One of the worst parts about technology is the fact that when you're on it you're constantly in contact with other people and you aren't present in the moment with the people you're with. This can make the people you are with feel unappreciated. When I hang out with my friends nowadays I will put my phone on do not disturb to ensure I don't look at my phone. Seeing all the notifications coming in is too much for me and I have no personal control. With do not disturb I can take a break and relax. 

I guess at the end of my post my conclusion would be to not let technology control your life. I know I let it control mine a lot and I would love to work harder on strengthening my relationships outside of my phone by putting it down and allowing myself to take a break. Because we all deserve a break from the fast-paced world of technology. 

Blog Post #10: In the Age of AI

I found the "Age of AI" documentary from Frontline to be a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary, but it also really showed the actual effects AI's impact does and will have on our society as a whole. The documentary itself explored the advancements in AI and machine learning throughout time and internationally. It goes over how our world is going and is being changed in both positive and negative ways by the expansion of AI.

AI's ability to process massive amounts of different types of data and its capacity to identify patterns that humans might be unable to see is one of its benefits. In the documentary, the speakers go over how the AI was able to learn the rules and new strategies of a game and players who were pro at the game were able to play against it. Each time the AI gained more and more knowledge to the point it was creating new strategies that had never been done before for the game. 

Not only is it beneficial and impressive in the world of gaming but this also could flow into working in more helpful fields such as medical research. An AI could assist in the identification of new treatments or the science of new medications and vaccines. AI also has the ability to automate complicated procedures/or risky business strategies before they are implemented which can increase efficiency in various industries in the world.

However, the documentary also highlighted the potential negative consequences of AI, particularly in the areas of privacy and national security. There are worries that are now even more heightened after the drop of ChatGPT regarding how data is utilized and who has access to it due to AI's capacity to gather and analyze enormous volumes of data. As Ai develops in complexity, there is also a chance that it could be exploited or used maliciously. AI also has the ability to almost know more knowledge than the average person as it continues to grow. It could also possibly be given a bias opinion or perspective depending on the coder of certain AI websites or media.

With more and more personal information being shared online every day, through social media platforms especially ones such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The documentary covers the extreme risk of identity theft and internet security. The data from these websites can be easily analyzed by AI algorithms, which can possibly be used illegally. For example, deep fakes or creating AI Images of people doing illegal things with other people's faces. They look so real they are almost all believable. Individuals and organizations must start taking precautions now to safeguard their online identities and data.

Blog Post #9 EOTO: Cord Cutting

For my last EOTO Project of the year, my topic was on Cord Cutting.

The real definition of Cord Cutting refers to the practice of canceling cable or satellite TV subscriptions in favor of streaming services or other forms of content delivery.

Cord Cutting has a lot of Pros and Cons.

Pros to Cutting the Chord:

1. Cost Savings

    Can be more affordable than paying for cable or satellite TV subscriptions. Compare to traditional TV providers, streaming services usually charger lower monthly rates and give a much greater selection of programming

2. Flexibility

    Instead of being restricted by pre-determined cable or satellite channel packages. Using streaming services and new media subscriptions you can easily choose which streaming services you wish to pay for. You also don't have to watch the content on streaming services at set times and worry about filling up a DVR. All your media is available at your own time and convenience.

3. No-Long Term Contracts

    Long-term contracts are often required by cable and satellite TV providers. They can also be expensive to break mid-period with contract fines and fees if you don't want or need the cable anymore. When you switch to these new services and cut the chord you'll have much more flexibility and control over your media spending because most if not all streaming services work off a month-to-month payment schedule and no payment break fees. This allows people to make decisions on their financial commitment whenever they can.

4. Access to wider range of content

    The variety of movie, TV, documentaires, and genres on streaming services is endless. With most streaming services they still provide shows that are found on cable and satellite TV providers 24 hours after viewing. Shows like Family Guy & Bobs Burgers that air new episodes on Fox two times a week are viewable on Hulu 24 hours after airing and also available any time after that at your viewing pleasure. These streaming services also now offer original content. For example Netflix's hit series Strager Things. A world-wide phenomenon that is only available on Netflix channels or pay-per-view via AppleTV.

Cons to Cutting the Chord:

1. Streaming media is dependent on internet access

    When it comes to streamed media most services require a stable internet connection to be able to watch their media. This can be challenging in more rural areas and where internet speeds are too poor or non-dependable streamed media may not benefit the consumer. Though this con is slowly changing with Netflix and Hulu's new download feature where you are able to download the content for a certain period of time to watch online. 

2. Content Fragmentation

    Content Fragmentation refers to the up-and-coming issue where media content is spread across multiple platforms for example streaming services. This makes it incredibly difficult for consumers to make decisions and access all the programming they want to watch without breaking the bank in monthly fees. For example the TV shows Friends and the Office were loved by many consumers and easily accessible through the one streaming service of Netflix. But then ABC created Peacock and HBO created HBO Max and consumers lost both TV shows accessibility on 1 platform. So now those consumers would need to cancel their Netflix subscriptions and buy 2 other different streaming services. Content Fragmentation has caused frustration and large expenses from consumers

3. Limited access to live programming

    Certain new streaming services do not have access to live programming such as news or sports media. Though some streaming services offer packages for live TV it gets expensive fast. The range and accessibility of these live TV options for streaming services are also limited. For example, YouTube TV gives subscribers access to news stations and sports but does not give access to live programing. This can get incredibly dangerous in this day and age because if people cut chords and aren't willing to pay for any form of live TV they have access to entertainment media but no informational media leading to these people possibly diving into a lot of false news.

Coming into this project I hadn't heard of the term Cord Cutting till I talked to Professor Smith about it. He told me about the term Incumbent Media and it played a large role in learning about Cord Cutting.

Incumbent media refers to the traditional media organizations that have built a solid reputation in the field through time. These businesses may have begun as print publications, radio stations, or television networks before expanding to operate in a variety of media, including internet platforms.

Some examples of incumbent media providers is The New York Times, CBS, BBC, NBC Universal, & The Walt Disney Company

Blog Post #8: Diffusion Theory

The emergence of electric cars is one instance of a recent breakthrough that

may be examined through the perspective of Diffusion Theory. There are a number

of reasons why the use of electric vehicles has been rising quickly in recent years.

Comparing electric cars to conventional gas-powered cars, there are various

advantages. They generate less pollutants, are less expensive to operate, and are

better for the environment. Additionally, with longer ranges and quicker charging

periods, electric cars are becoming more useful for daily use as battery technology

advances.

Governments and businesses have made a concentrated effort to encourage the

use of electric vehicles. Governments have invested in infrastructure, such as

charging stations, as well as provided incentives for consumers to purchase electric

vehicles, such as tax credits or rebates. To make electric automobiles more appealing

to consumers, businesses like Tesla have made significant investments in research and

development.

Early adopters have been essential to the spread of electric vehicles. These are those who

are enthusiastic about the potential advantages of new technology and are willing to take a

chance on it. Early adopters are more likely to be wealthy and educated, as well as to be

concerned about the environment.

On the other side, late adopters are typically more skeptical and require more persuasion

before they are willing to try something new. They can be wary of the technology or worried

about the price or viability of buying an electric vehicle. Non-adopters might not be able to

afford electric automobiles or they might not be interested in them.

The environmental impact of making the batteries is one potential drawback of electric vehicles.

Batteries must be produced using a lot of energy and resources, which contributes significantly

to greenhouse gas emissions.

With regard to your decision to avoid social media, there could be a number of causes. Some

people might worry about their privacy and the possibility that their personal information will be

disclosed without their permission. Others could regard social media as a diversion from more

important pursuits or as an overwhelming source of information.

It is necessary to take into account both the potential advantages and disadvantages when considering the costs and benefits of new communication technology. Social media, for instance, maybe a useful resource for maintaining relationships with loved ones, networking with coworkers, and keeping up with current affairs. It may also exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation and be a source of worry and anxiety. The decision to adopt a new technology should be based on an individual's personal values and priorities.

Blog Post #7: Chat GPT

One day in early or late January my friend introduced me to ChatGPT. I had never heard of it but she had told me it had helped her in formatting her bibliography’s, finding sources, and also helping her gain insight on topics she was struggling to understand. One of the key advantages that ChatGPT’s AI has compared to others is it is incredibly versatile. It’s very easy to use and has a plethora of knowledge that allows anyone to help paraphrase notes and provide answers to questions you don’t have the answers to.

However, as with any technology, ChatGPT has its downfalls. One of the main concerns that has come up in conversations, especially within the academic setting is the accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses. Even though it has been created and imputed with an insane amount of data there may be instances in which its responses may not be entirely accurate or appropriate to the question that had been asked.

My personal thoughts on ChatGPT are definitely different than some. I do believe it is an important tool and AI is inevitable so it is hard to reject these new forms of technology. It is beneficial in helping expand your knowledge of new concepts and formatting advice but the problem with AI comes in when it starts taking jobs from writers and creatives. As someone in the PR world, AI has already started taking over adobe creative suite platforms (Adobe Firefly) and Canva shortly after the production of ChatGPT. AI is coming fast and it will not slow down, it is a powerful tool that people need to learn the scale of before it takes over a little too fast. It needs to be understood that personal creativity and a world where people innovate don’t come from ChatGPT prompts it comes from the mind of the beholder and it needs to hopefully stay that way so generations to come aren’t reliable on these AI media platforms

Blog Post #6: AntiWar Website Evaluation

When I was younger, I really believed that the United States of America was the freest and most accepting nation for people from many ethnicities, ideas, and viewpoints. I believed that America was the safest place to live, and I had the impression that my nation's leaders would do everything it took to keep me safe—both physically and as well as internationally. I knew I was fortunate to be born in the household and place I grew up in where I felt safe even with the door unlocked.

 After visiting ANTIWAR.COM I came across what appeared to be a whole new realm of knowledge. This website is overflowing with references to articles and reports on critically significant recent news events and incidents that are taking place all around the world some even involving America. It was beyond scary to me to find a wealth of really essential information that I was unaware of. 

I also went to The American Conservative, a website that gathers news and information and is comparable to that one. I had never heard of these websites before I was given this assignment. In addition, I was essentially unaware of the majority of the information reported on these websites. 

It's probable that the major media channels broadcast more positive news about military operations out of bias. This might be as a result of the tight associations that some media organizations have with the executive branch or the military-industrial complex. Access to government sources may be prioritized by these media outlets, and they may be hesitant to report anything that can be viewed as critical or contentious.

There are many distinct viewpoints and interests at play when it comes to the complicated and diverse topic of war and military operations. This makes it crucial for the general public to have access to a variety of opinions. A platform for voices that challenge the established norm can be provided by alternative media outlets like Antiwar.com and The American Conservative, which can offer a more varied and nuanced viewpoint on the topic of war and military activities.