Carrier Pigeons (EOTO - Someone else's technology) Post #6

 

    Carrier pigeons (often going by names such as mail pigeon, messenger or homer pigeon) were used in the war in order to communicate and transfer information in a more "reliable" way. The first usage of them was actually in the ancient times, where they were utilized by the Greeks and Romans. They were also used in 1890 where they were used to communicate information from other cities for the news. 

    Carrier pigeons have natural homing abilities which allow them to be able to find their way back home to their loft. This works by people taking them from their loft, attaching a message onto them, and then releasing them. The pigeon will then return back to its loft where the message can be retrieved by the other recipient. 

    Some of the most famous carrier pigeons in history are Cher Ami, who saved a group of American soldiers in World War One, Gi Joe who saved 1,000 lives in World War Two by flying twenty miles in twenty minutes and Commando, which flew 90 trips in and out of France to deliver important information.  These birds, although to some just may be birds, saved a lot of people's lives in the war, making carrier pigeons extremely important at the time and will forever go down in history as hero's. 

Privacy.....Or is it?? (Post #5)

 

    Privacy, especially living in a digital age is rapidly eroding due to the sheer amount of technologies that are used to make sure you do NOT have privacy. After watching the Ted Talks, I can't help but be freaked out. I knew about the lack of privacy when it comes to social media and being online, those lengthy terms and agreements and how your phone is listening to you, I feel as if people my age have been desensitized by the ever-growing issue. What I never thought is that outside of the digital world, you continue to share a lot of information just by leaving your house.

    I learned that driving your car can reveal a lot of information about you. Where you go, who you're with, all of that can reveal who you are as a person, and when you combine that with others, the government is able to piece together how the public thinks. One of the scariest things I learned is the automatic license plate readers by cops. The fact that these devices are able to capture a picture of your license plate and any other car it rides near it, whether or not you did something wrong is scary. What's even more terrifying is the fact they keep this information due to it being so cheap to store, and are able to track where you were going and what you were doing in those moments. 

    To me, this seems like a major privacy breach. Sure, I understand about the criminals and how they're able to run plates quickly and efficiently, but the fact that this data isn't immediately deleted upon knowing the person you're essentially stalking is innocent is very creepy. Even weirder that they will ride past mosques just to see who was attending, who knows what else they're using this technology for. 

    These issues affect everyone in ways that are unrecognizable. Most people, like me at one point, figured that our information is safe because they have "nothing to hide" but it's the fact that there is no privacy anymore for anyone and the control over our own data and autonomy is being breached without our knowledge or consent. I feel as if there should be stronger data protection laws, especially since the average person may not know this is what's going on behind the scenes with their own sensitive information. The GDPR is a great example of how strict regulations can hold other accountable, which is something that the US should implement in order to ensure transparency, consent, data security and consumer rights. 

    While we are fighting for that, making sure that youre as protected on an individual level is a crucial step in order to be safe online. Using strong passwords, enabling two factor authentication and being mindful about what you decide to share online can help reduce how big your digital footprint is. While nothing is perfect, and these tips will not stop people from gaining some information from you, this can help significantly reduce your chances.

    Overall, privacy is absolutely a fundamental right, and we should all treat it as such. It's time to stop assuming that what youre doing online is harmless and start demanding for safeguards and regulations before it's too late. 

EOTO Cassette Tapes (Post #4)

 

    The cassette tape is an Analog media format developed in 1962 by the dutch inventor and engineer Lou Ottens for the Phillips Company in Belgium.  Phillips released the invention to Europe at the Berlin radio show on August 30th 1963 and later it was released in the United States a year later in November. Though people find that its an ancient way to listen to music, it has recently made a comeback in recent years due to mainstream artists (such as Billie Eilish, Beyonce and Twenty one pilots) have taken a part in the cassette tapes revival, uploading their most recent albums on the little plastic device as a tribute to the technology that has shaped modern music.

    This little device became the standard audio format from the late 1970s to the early 90s after the first portable cassette tape players were made available to the general public to record, share and play music on the go conveniently. It first became popular due to its size, which is notably smaller than a pack of cigarettes with a capacity for significant data storage, which made it incredibility portable and excellent for pre-recorded music. Speaking of the portability of the cassette tape, the Sony Walkman made it even easier for avid-music enjoyers. This was a small, mobile and inexpensive handheld device that allowed people to listen to cassette tapes and AM/FM radio with headphones.  This was able to change the game when it came to how people listened to their music because it combined the idea of letting people listen to pre-recorded music and the radio on the go on a singular device. 

    Another major invention that changed the game for cassette tapes was the invention of the boombox. Portable, but significantly larger than a Sony Walkman, it contained one or two decks that not only let you play a cassette tape, but let you record as well. This became a historical part of Hip-Hop culture, as the music was used for breakdancing while the recording feature was used for rapping, being able to create inexpensive "demos" for aspiring rappers and DJ's.

 

Although a small, convenient device, there is a process when it comes to assembly of a cassette tape and how the small disc works. The cassette holds two small spools inside a plastic exterior. These spools wind the magnetic-coated film and pass it from one side to the other. This magnetic film is where the audio content is stored and can be recorded on a cassette tape . Before the cassette was the tedious method of reel-to-reel audio, a method of recording and playing back audio using magnetic tape spooled on open reels. This was difficult to use and often required training to be able to do, so mostly professionals had access to it instead of just the general public. When cassette tapes became available, which did all the dirty work for the average person, they were absolutely revolutionary for the reasoning of being easy, small, fun and had no training required to handle.

    While the original purpose was not for music, but instead for diction, it still remained a popular tool for both sides of the spectrum. Over the cassettes main lifespan from 1963-1990, more than 3 billion tapes were sold. The only downside of this piece of historical technology is the magnetic tape inside an audio cassette only last for 10-30 years, which is why digitalization is so important. 

    Although they weren't all sunshine and rainbows, a lot of people also hated the idea of cassette tapes. Campaigns such as "home taping is killing music" in the 1980's became apparent due to piracy becoming a big issue when it came to the tapes.  Attempts to scare people out of piracy of copying vinyl albums or radio shows onto these tapes were unsurprisingly due to the sheer convenience of the tapes being so easy to pirate these music and radio shows. By 1983, pre-recorded cassettes were beginning to outsell vinyl records. Although the music companies were worried about the drop in sales due to piracy (hence the anti piracy campaigns), they loved the idea of selling the one product across two formats. In a way to stop piracy and boost sales in both formats, some releases would feature additional material on the cassette version and cassette singles would often feature songs not available in the other formats being sold.

    Although these pieces of historical technologies lived a long life, by 1987 CD's, which contained almost the same benefits of the cassette tape with a much higher audio quality began killing the trend of cassette tapes. The cassette single remained to stay alive until the mid 90s, but eventually diminished until Sony stopped the production of the Walkman in 2010.

ALL OF MY SOURCES WHERE I GOT MOST OF THIS INFORMATION, check these out if you're interested :)  -

Important cassette tape information

More information + how they work

How the cassette is made

More about the campaigns and piracy

Little bit more about the piracy and how they fixed the issue

Eight Values of Free Expression (Post #3)

 

    The participation in self government still remains one of the most important justifications for freedom of speech, according to this article written by Patrick M Gary. Meiklejohn, who developed this theory, took a more "Madisonian view" of the first amendment, which was interpreting the free speech clause into a broader topic for a more constitutional focus (as said by Patrick M Gary)

    The participation of the self government theory is the fact that it is essential when it comes to a functioning democracy. According to his idea, citizens of the United States are to engage in self-government by using reasoning and practical judgement. People who communicate politically are more likely to participate intelligently when it comes to matters pertaining to democracy. While this may seem more old timey, this still matters today because in a an age where digital communication is overbearing, the question of who controls political speech is more complex than ever before. Questions like "Should private companies decide on what political information is allowed?" and "Should governments regulate political advertising" are questions that you should be asking yourself, since it pertains to your ability of being able to participate in self-government. 

    Meiklejohn's theory is able to remind us that democracy only works if the citizens in that democracy stay politically intelligent and are able to debate openly. If political speech were to be oppressed by the media, democratic-decision making suffers which means the public loses power over the government. 

    I believe that Meiklejohn's theory is more important than ever, but that it's threatened by misinformation, censorship and the need for political control when it comes to private corporations. I truly believe in the fact that democracy thrives when the citizens are well informed, which is being threatened by the constant political expressions and lack of intelligent. The explosion of media is truly a double edged sword. Citizens are able to participate in exactly what Meiklejohn wanted (their opinions instantly and openly, hold politicians accountable, and get the ball rolling on changes that he never thought would ever be possible) but at the same time, democracy keeps being undermined by misinformation and corporate control of speech. Misinformation spreads rapidly on digital platforms, infecting the minds of the citizens before they're even able to make informed decisions. Multiple topics such as election fraud, misleading claims and things such as deepfake technology have made it harder for once politically informed citizens to separate the truth from the lies, making it difficult for those same citizens to stay up to date politically and accurately. 

    

    What's even more concerning in terms of participation of self government that Meiklejohn didn't even see coming was the fact private social media companies (X/Twitter, Youtube, Facebook/Meta...etc) now control much of the publics media discourse. These platforms are now able to amplify or silence what they deem is correct in their own eyes. It raises a serious question of should corporations have the power to regulate democracy? Meiklejohn argues the fact that any and all political speech should be protected because citizens need to hear all perspectives to make informed choices. When it comes to today's age, that protection is no longer guaranteed, which I think makes a lot of the US citizens politically misinformed since they able to make such misinformed choices. 

    In my opinion, a balance is needed. No regulation would mean dangerous misinformation being openly shared left and right, especially with how easy it is to just upload whatever you like on social media, but total regulation makes it to where this theory would never work. A democracy that doesn't protect political speech is a democracy at risk, and Meiklejohn reminds us of that.

The US Supreme Court (Post #2)

     The US Supreme Court is the highest and most authoritative judicial body within the United States, but sometimes its role can be a little fuzzy. After watching the video and using my previous knowledge, this is some of the key aspects I found myself reflecting upon:

    WHAT DID I LEARN ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT THAT I DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW?: I learned that the Supreme Court plays a significantly broader role in shaping society than I realized. They do more than just interpret the constitution, but they also have the power to set precedents that guide rulings for years to come. The idea that the courts can create laws through its rulings is a realization that I deemed significant, especially when considering historical landmark decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education or Roe v. Wade.

    WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKE AWAY POINT ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT?: I think the fact the Supreme Court acts as the final stepping stone of constitutional issues is the most important take away I learned about. It ensures that the rights that the constitution tells is upholder within all the states, and that no law or government action is beyond scrutiny if it violates the constitution. The court has the important ability to be able to preserve democratic ideals, even when elected officials or the public opinion shift in a direction that threatens them.

    WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING I LEARNED?: I was actually shocked to learn that the justices have significant freedom in their decision making process, as they are not subject to political pressure or public opinion. The notion that they are appointed for life allows them to engage in legal reasoning without the threat of losing their position due to the decisions they make. This ensures they can make rulings based on a legal principle rather than political expediency. 

    HOW DID THE VIDEO CHANGE THE WAY I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT?: Before watching the video, I had my idea of the Supreme Court as being a body that interprets laws and resolves high profile cases sometimes, however, I have come to learn more about its historical context and functioning, seeing it as more of a important institution for preserving the balance of power in the democracy. It made me appreciate the depth and importance of the Court's role that it has on America and leaving lasting impacts on justice and civil rights. 

    Overall, this video provided me with a deeper and clearer understanding of how the Supreme Court operates and how crucial this court is to the functioning of the nation's government. 

My Top 5 Go-To News Sources For Staying Informed (Post #1)

    In a world of overflowing information, choosing a reliable news source couldn't be more important. With social media feeds being flooded with sensational headlines, laced with misinformation and bias takes, it's easy to fall into the blackhole of being misled. That is why I carefully crafted my top 5 news sources I go to that I think provide a great look into accurate, trustworthy information while also being transparent about the news being talked about. Staying informed isn't just about knowing what's happening, it's about understanding why and how this information fits into the bigger picture.

    Media Literacy plays a major role in helping you stay informed correctly. It helps us critically evaluate the sources, question bias, and separate the facts from the opinions. By sharing these sources, I hope to encourage thoughtful engagement and empower others to seek out information that fits them while also broadens their perspectives. 

Associated Press (apnews.com) - AP news is a great source if you want neutral information. They are a widely trusted organization with their reporting being straight forward, focusing on verified facts editorializing.

The Economist (www.economist.com) - If you don't mind an editorial voice presented in your media consumption, The Economist is a wonderful news source due to it being known for its well-researched, data driven journalism that covers focuses on politics with a focus on factual accuracy.

BBC News (www.bbc.com) - BBC news is a publicly funded international news organization known for its balanced coverage and high journalistic standards. While there is no news source completely free of bias, BBC news generally provides fair reporting. 

FiveThirtyEight (fivethirtyeight.com) - This is a great site if you're into journalism that is more on the data-driven side, especially when it relates to politics. Their coverage of the election is a great example, since they take statistics and polling data in order to form an in-depth analysis.

C-SPAN (www.c-span.org) - A wonderful news source if you like unfiltered, unedited news. This site gives access to government proceedings, speeches and press conferences without any commentary or analysis, giving you the freedom to choose and form your own opinions.

    While these news sources may not be up your alley, as we are all human with different views and opinions. In a time where opinions can make or break who you are as a person, especially with cancel culture floating around and everyone being so incredibly sensitive about other peoples intake of topics, id like to share a non-traditional news source with you:

FactCheck.org (www.factcheck.org) - This is a non-traditional news source, but an excellent resource for those wanting to verify political claims, debunking misinformation, and providing fact checking. This is great for any doubts you may have about the news you're digesting.

    In the end, staying informed in a way that you want to with accurate information that you want to digest is the main point about being literate in media. With misinformation spreading faster than ever, the ability to evaluate the news source you want, recognizing how it may not be a good source, and being able to know when and where to get factual information regardless of your view is extremely important. People often consume incorrect information just because it aligns with their ideologies, and no matter what they are, there is always factual information for it.