My Digital Story

Bibliography

"Digital Divide - ICT Information Communications Technology - 50x15 Initiative." Internet World Stats - Usage and Population Statistics. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.internetworldstats.com/links10.htm>.

"Digital Divide - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6k8bBCaoI>.

"New Digital Divide Seen for Minorities on Internet - SFGate." Featured Articles From The SFGate. 13 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-02-13/business/28532467_1_latinos-web-access-broadband-access>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.albion.edu>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.apple.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.buythewayside.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://clevelandcatholiccharities.org>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.debirdblue.wordpress.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http:///www.dosomething.org>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.enterprise.leeds.ac.uk

Digital image. Web. <http://www.findicons.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.freefoto.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.handcellphone.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.healthaccord.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.hitechcj.com>

Digital image. Web. <http://www.jcu.edu>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.kevincohen.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.lexisnoosa.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.mooreslore.corante.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.myaffiliatemarketingschool.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.newdirectionsconsulting.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.oranges-world.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.placesintown.com>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.riverdale.lib.il.us>.

Digital image. Web. <http://www.zazzle.com>.

What's in Your Computer?

Hexavalent Chromium

1. Where and how is it mined?

It is mined by underground and open pit mining methods.
It is mined in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Finland, India, Kazchistan, and the Phillipines.
It is mined as Chromites

2. What is the environmental impact of the mining? Is it regulated? If so, by whom?

It contaminates water and soil resources and is diposited into many water sources. Deposited into the air, affecting the growth of trees and forests.
Regulated by the OSHA. OSHa set exposure limit to 5mg/m^3.

3. What are the human health concerns when used to manufacture consumer electronics?
4. What documented health impacts are associated with its demanufacturing?

--> 3&4, Inhaling increases risk of lung cancer and damage to the nose, throat and respiratory system. Damages dna. Can cause asthmatic bronchitis and dermatitis. Causes brain damage.

BlogPost12

Dear Representative Dennis Kucinich,

My name is Alexandra Higl and I am a resident of Parma Heights, OH but am currently a student at John Carroll University located in University Heights. I am currently a taking a course regarding how social justice correlates with the digital media. Technology has taken control over our society, in both a positive and a negative light. Throughout this course, I have learned how social justice can affect the digital media as well as how the digital media is utilized as a means of communicating social justice issues. However, the digital media can be used in a negative context, ultimately interfering with the solidarity of others. This is especially evident when the United States dumps e-waste in developing countries. Imagine yourself as an underprivileged citizen in a country on the other side of the globe. Picture yourself waking up to a pile a waste, specifically electronics that cannot be recycled, in your backyard. Every time you reach for that pure glass of water or breathe in fresh air, think of the people who are not as lucky to have these simple luxuries. These environmental issues furthermore jeopardize the health and well-being of many. However, action can be taken. In passing HR 6252, not only will these issues be addressed, but Congress will also bring back jobs to the U.S.  The U.S. needs to create products that are “environmental friendly” instead of manufacturing technology that goes straight to the trash. Please help us live in a globally safer environment. Through this commitment of solidarity, lives can be changed and progress can be made. Please do your part to communicate this need for change. Support HR 6252.  Thank you for your consideration.

Comic Project

Auletta, Ken. "Tim Armstrong and the Future of AOL." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/24/110124fa_fact_auletta>.

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Reardon, Peter. "Political and Social Change in the Middle East? | NowPublic News Coverage." NowPublic.com | The News Is NowPublic. Now Public, 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. http://www.nowpublic.com/world/political-and-social-change-middle-east.

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Gauss, Gregory.

sources:
Zuckerman, Ethan. "The First Twitter Revolution? - By Ethan Zuckerman | Foreign Policy." Foreign Policy - the Global Magazine of Economics, Politics, and Ideas. The Slate Group, 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. .


9, October. "Why Social Media Is Reinventing Activism." Social Media News and Web Tips – Mashable – The Social Media Guide. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.. "Cahpter 4: Why Middle East Studies Missed the Arab Spring." Foreign Affairs. 81-90. Web

Harkin, James. "James Harkin Reviews ‘Death to the Dictator!’ by Afsaneh Moqadam, ‘The Net Delusion’ by Evgeny Morozov and ‘Blogistan’ by Annabelle Sreberny and Gholam Khiabany · LRB 2 December 2010." London Review of Books · 17 November 2011. 2 Dec. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lrb.co.uk/v32/n23/james-harkin/cyber-con>.

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Gladwell, Malcolm. "Twitter, Facebook, and Social Activism." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all>.

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Montefiore, Simon S. "Every Revolution Is a Revolution." Nytimes.com. The New York Times, 26 Mar. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/opinion/27montefiore.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1>.

 "Arab Spring Really Was Social Media Revolution | TG Daily." TG Daily | Technology, Science, Entertainment, and Business News. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.tgdaily.com/software-features/58426-arab-spring-really-was-social-media-revolution>.

"JURIST - Forum: The Twitter Revolutions: Social Media in the Arab Spring."JURIST - Legal News and Research. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://jurist.org/forum/2011/10/kevin-govern-twitter-revolutions.php>.

"Raymond Schillinger: Social Media and the Arab Spring: What Have We Learned?" Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raymond-schillinger/arab-spring-social-media_b_970165.html>.

Blog 11

alx_higl Alexandra Higl

starting to understand the concept and finally getting the ants to cross! #fysswarm

5 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

alx_higl Alexandra Higl

thanks to @meagan228 for an idea of a basic model! it seems to be working #fysswarm

alx_higl Alexandra Higl

changing my setup to what @laurenpristach used. hope this works! #fysswarm

18 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

alx_higl Alexandra Higl

how do you even move the ants across? I'm trying to make a bridge but nothing seems to work :( #fysswarm

35 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

Annotated Bibliography

"Digital Divide - ICT Information Communications Technology - 50x15 Initiative." Internet World Stats - Usage and Population Statistics. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.internetworldstats.com/links10.htm>.

Initially, this particular Internet source defines the digital divide and expresses the basic facts regarding technological obstacle. It further expands on the concept why the digital divide presents a hindrance in the daily life of many.  This source then elaborates on the vital importance of ending the digital divide and depicts this with specific examples. The first argument is economic equality, which states that the Internet is a basic facet of life that is beginning to be guaranteed to the mass majority of citizens by many countries. The second argument is social mobility, which argues that technology is an essential element in education; this element can often be deprived to children in underdeveloped areas. The third argument is democracy. Many believe that the establishment of Internet to all citizens would provide countries with a stronger democracy. The fourth and final argument focuses on economic growth. It is believed that by providing equal access to the Internet will stimulate economic growth in many impoverished countries. I plan to utilize this information by relating these arguments to the unequal Internet access that is presented to many minorities.

"Digital Divide - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6k8bBCaoI>.

This video discusses a resource that is attempting to end the digital divide, thus bridging the gap unequal access to the digital media. The “Digital Divide Initiative” is a group of organizations uniting together in order to provide people with the resources needed to gain technological accessibility. Some examples are providing computer hardware to families as well as training, and a variety of software tools.  Most people who do not have a computer or are not educated in the usage of a computer tend to have a low income.  Those who receive a lower income are usually a part of some racial minority such as Hispanic or African American. A chief emphasis in this movement is to bridge the gap of educational differences between minorities with technology. This source not only provides specific statistics about racial minorities and the digital divide but also offers solutions in order to bridge that gap.

"New Digital Divide Seen for Minorities on Internet - SFGate." Featured Articles From The SFGate. 13 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-02-13/business/28532467_1_latinos-web-access-broadband-access>.

This article, taken from the Associated Press, specifically delves into the issue of inequality in technology surrounding racial minorities. The article explains that a large amount of Hispanics and African Americans primarily access the Internet on their mobile phones, which presents difficulties in many online based tasks, such as completing a job application. This article directly correlates with my topic and expresses specific examples about people from racial minorities who experience setbacks due to the digital divide. I plan to utilize this article to depict specific examples of people who are experiencing obstacles with technology due to economic status. 

"Maura Cheeks: African Americans and the Digital Divide." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-cheeks/african-americans-digital-divide_b_996829.html>.

A recent article published by the “Huff Post Blackvoices” specifically focuses on the technological dilemma presented to the African American Community. Although the article states that African American/Latino students spend as much time online as white students, white students access the Internet primarily at home, while those of racial minorities tend to access the Internet from a library or school computer. The primary obstacle presented to those of racial minorities is low income. The overall African American/Latino population averages a lower income than the rest of the population; therefore, many of these races cannot afford certain technology that may help them acquire a job, a better education, and furthermore, a higher income. I am also planning to use this article to specify examples and statistics of the correlation between racial minorities, income, employment, education and ultimately technological accessibility. 

Blog 10

Does Facebook and Its Users Constitute a Superorganism?”

Upon reading the article, The Construction of a Superorganism, I have determined that Facebook and its users constitute a superorganism. This can be displayed in a variety of examples. First and foremost, there are a variety of simple users that are all a part of Facebook. Divided and separated, they are insignificant. United, they form a complex community. Each user may also perform a task that affects another user; therefore the user that is affected may affect another user, thus stimulating a chain reaction. A specific example that occurs is the concept of creating an event on Facebook. Say “user A” creates an event on Facebook and invites “user B.” “user B” can now invite “user C” who can now invite “user D”, and so on. Although Facebook serves as a social network to connect people across the globe, each person remains their own singular entity, distinguished by their own identity. According the article, a superorganism maintains some sort of organization in which the community as a whole is divided into various parts. This facet of superorganisms can be portrayed on Facebook. For example, private groups can be created which can only be accessed by those invited to the group. Those who are members of the group can converse with other members, and can react and react to their fellow members’ posts. The article also talks about the idea of competition arising in the superorganism. One example of competition on Facebook can be seen when two separate users vie to attain the most amount of friends, in order to secure a sense of popularity. These users are also known as the social components of this superorganism. They tend to overshadow those who are less active on Facebook. Those who spend less time on Facebook, makes less statuses, post less pictures, and have less friends, tend to “occupy the margins,” thus making them the “solitary” components of this superorganism, as the article suggests. Overall, the levels of social organization, displays of action and reaction, and the unifying affect of this buzzing community categorize Facebook and its users as a superorganism.