Blog 9

            Although I was initially confused about the application and meaning of Wednesday’s activity, I am now intrigued by the message the activity conveyed. On Wednesday, our section, along with all of the other FYS Digital Media sections, was asked to change into different colored t-shirts. On the front of the shirts was a number and on the back was a letter. Upon changing into the shirts, we were asked to perform a variety of tasks. These tasks ranged from dividing ourselves into groups with the same color t-shirts, lining up in numerical order, creating a letter with the group, creating a dinosaur with the group, to creating words by using the letters on the backs of our shirts. Through this experimental procedure, I not only realized the range of relationships we have with one another, but also how our actions stimulate specific reactions. These specific tasks forced us to work as a whole, thus exhibiting emergent behavior.  When given the task to create a dinosaur, the group was forced to work as an entirety. Based upon experimental behavior, everyone moved around in order to form a somewhat dinosaur like figure, thus contributing to the group. Those these interactions were based in simplicity, the outcome created a great affect. Emergent Behavior can be exhibited in a community of people trying to accomplish a task, in nature, such as a colony of ants working together, or even online. Although we are one separate entity, we have the opportunity to collaborate and unite online. One example is through the simple idea of sending and receiving e-mails. When we send an e-mail, we wish to connect with that singular entity. That entity can even chose to forward that e-mail, thus connecting with another singular entity, thus creating a larger group, ultimately establishing a community of sorts. 

BlogPosts 7 & 8

The US government should institute formal policy that bars overseas sales of systems that provide targeted Internet surveillance if such systems are used to violate human rights or freedom of speech (such as the current internet censorship in China).

            In the US, the question of Internet surveillance has always been one of heated debate. Internet surveillance is a subject of great uncertainty. Many people are in favor of monitoring what people post or search online in order to decrease the amount of online sexual predators, computer hackers, identity thieves, and so on. However, monitoring what others choose to do is in direct question with our inalienable rights listed in the first amendment. Also, according to the Fourteenth Amendment, we are guaranteed liberty, or freedom. Monitoring what people do online directly infringes upon our right to liberty. In a sense, if every move we make, every sentence we post, every site we visit is in surveillance, we are taking one step closer to communism. This is very similar to George Orwell’s well-known book, 1984, which examines the downfall of a society in which all the citizens are constantly watched and monitored by “Big Brother.”

            Though many believe that Internet surveillance should be banned, there are also many viable arguments stating why it should be allowed. First and foremost, online sexual harassment has rapidly increased in accordance with the rampant influence of technology in society. By incorporating Internet censorship in the United States, online sexual predators can be targeted and arrested. Also, corruption such as identity theft, hacking, and online bullying is at great existence in cyberspace. By endorsing internet surveillance, the government can control these issues in a more efficient manner.

First and foremost, as a citizen of the United States, we are granted certain inalienable rights as stated in the first amendment. It can be inferred

The evolving capabilities to speak out and criticize the Chinese government using microblogs and other Internet social media will lead to more and greater freedoms for the Chinese people.

            In an increasingly technologically based society, the concept of microblogging has emerged. Microblogging is a social medium in which users can come together through the internet and post brief sentences, links, videos, etc. Microblogs tend to vary in their use. Often times, they are simply used for people to state what they are up to. However, often times microblogs are created for a group of people to unite, express, and exchange their views and opinions regarding a certain matter. This technological forum offers a new outlet to Internet users to practice their inalienable right of freedom of speech. This modern day technological advancement allows people to come together and delve into vital issues, which affect their way of live. Microblogs stimulate conversation among the group of participants and pave the way for ideas to be exchanged. In a sense, the capabilities of microblogs have revolutionized the way information is shared, as well as the way in which ideas are exchanged and perceived. Thanks to this modern day innovation, common people can now serve as major sources of information in the case of events.

            Due to China’s hefty population and economic state, the Chinese government governs the people with an extremely watchful eye. Under the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese people are allowed very little rights due to the strict structure that has been established throughout China’s history. The government in itself is structured as a dictatorship, granting the Chinese people very little freedoms. There is a bare minimum of dissent and free speech that is allowed under the Chinese Communist Party’s rule. The Chinese government merely relies on reiterating constant clichés, which provide very little information to the people. With this said, the Chinese people are left in the dark; ignorant to the issues which affect their way of life. Until recently, the Chinese people had no means of a voice in issues revolving around the government. In a sense, the people were powerless and voiceless; they were the limp and lifeless puppets ultimately controlled by the puppeteer, or in other words, the government. However, the innovation of microblogs is beginning to change the way information and opinions are shared. Common people are now being provided with the opportunity of having a voice in the political system. In fact, over tens of millions of Chinese people are taking advantage of this new system of exchanging information. In fact, mass amounts of Chinese people gather together through this broadcasting medium after major events in China and criticize the government. This new method is allowing the Chinese people to unite and dabble in a forum based around the principles of democracy. Although these evolving capabilities for Chinese people to critique and voice their ideas and opinions revolving around the Chinese government have grown to give the common people more freedoms, this method is also working against the people.

            Many believe that the Chinese people will attain more and greater freedoms by utilizing microblogs and other social media. The use of microblogs has not only provided the common people in China with an opportunity to express their opinions and voice their critiques of the government, but also provides them with a news source. Thanks to microblogs, the Chinese people are now provided with a method to increase their awareness circulating the function of the government. The microblogs allow a type of source of news for the common people. Unlike the lavish and hard to interpret statements which the Chinese leaders concoct, these opinions are put into everyday language; ultimately, easy to understand to the everyday people. Through this knowledge, the Chinese people are able to express well-developed ideas about the government and are able to offer insight about the political system. Unlike other news medias in China, the government did not initally censor microblogs; therefore, this social media provided a great extent of freedom of speech to the users. In fact, television news stations, newspapers, and other government-censored forms of written and broadcasted media often misconstrue the issues facing the Chinese people. Microblogs can potentially serve as a way to inform government leaders of the people’s opinion in their leadership. The Chinese government can now view these posts and incorporate some of the insight of the Chinese people into the workings of the government. By incorporating this method, the government leaders will not only please the people of China, but will also better the overall function of the political system. Although microblogs may not be able to change the communist based political structure, they will be able to provide government leaders with ideas to better the government from the viewpoint of the common man. This method will then provide a positive outcome all around. Not only will the Chinese people be given a greater voice and influence in the government, but the Chinese leaders will also receive greater approval from the people.

            Although a vast amount of people believe that microblogging could offer more and greater freedoms to the Chinese people, some say that these notions of freedom are merely illusions that will never be attained. In fact, a plethora of flaws exist. Although microblogs were initially meant to be uncensored sources of information, there are many that are becoming censored by the government. In fact, the government aims to eventually censor all microblogs and social media outlets, which express the political views of China. Therefore, true freedom of speech will never actually be gained as long as China remains a dictatorship. Based off of history repeating itself, the stronghold of the government will overturn any chance for freedom of speech and will maintain a watchful eye over the exchange of information published and shared online. Another argument raised is that microblogs are pure “rumor mills.” A large amount of the information that is shared on this social media outlet is not credible and cannot be taken seriously. For example, some uneducated factory worker may have the ability to post something on a microblog. This uneducated worker has very little knowledge of China’s political system; chances are his ideas may be underdeveloped and ultimately far from factual. Another setback of microblogs is accessibility. Due to the digital divide, not everyone in China owns a means of accessing microblogs, thus limiting the amount of freedom this technological media actually presents. However, the main idea remains that freedom of speech will never be truly attained by the Chinese people due the Communist mindset that has plagued the country for over ninety years, limiting the freedoms of the Chinese people.

           

Initial Proposal

           Throughout the entirety of this course, we have further delved into issues revolving around the concept of the digital divide. As a class, we have contemplated the controversial notion of whether some racial groups receive a greater access to the Internet and other forms of the digital media. As groundwork for my digital story, I propose to further explore the racial gap that prevents some minorities from receiving equal access to the digital media. I am also aiming to correlate the concept of the digital divide and whether the racial gap lines up with the statistics of low and high-income wages.

            I propose to set the scene of my digital story with a YouTube video entitled “Digital Divide” touching upon the basic facets of the racial gap in the digital media. This video states the issue of the lack of technology among minorities such as Hispanics and African Americans. This video also focuses upon the concept of the economic gap that plagues the digital divide and its relation with racial groups. This video further explains how these obstacles that are presented to the underprivileged exhibit the ability to perform everyday tasks such as submitting a job resume, researching a project online, filling out medical information, and so on. The video also summarizes the notion that states that in order to break this gap, we must implement a plan for equal opportunity that equips those who have not grown up with technology the necessary tools for technological success.

            In order to add further credibility to my statement, I am going to reference an article written by Jesse Washington in the Associated Press. This article specifically narrows in on the technological difficulties that are presented to both African Americans and Hispanics alike. The article first states that both African Americans and Hispanics are only able to afford access to the Internet through mobile devices. Though this may initially appear as a positive technological feat in the digital divide, sole access to a mobile device creates many hindrances. First and foremost, simple tasks such as filling out job applications online prove to be a difficult undertaking on a mobile device. In a society that is increasingly technologically and Internet based, it is essential to gain access to a computer at home. However, many African Americans and Hispanics have limited access to a computer due to the economic gap that is depicted.

            In my digital story I am also going to propose possible solutions in order to lessen the technological gap that exists between races. I would then explore different groups whose mission is to bridge the gap between races and provide an equal access to technology among all races. Therefore, by bridging the gap of the digital divide, the United States can gravitate more towards a society that prospers in democracy, economic growth and equality, and furthermore, social mobility. 

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>.

Blog Post 6

Personally, I do not have a wide range of knowledge when it comes to Twitter. This is perhaps due to my little experience and exposure to this social networking cite. I do not have a Twitter account opened nor do the majority of my friends. My experience with Twitter has been so minimal that I am able to count the number of times I have visited Twitter online on one hand. In a society focusing on the increase of dependency on the digital media, perhaps it is time to break out of my shell and give Twitter a try. However, there is part of me that hesitates to embark into the world of Twitter mania. I am not quite assured of its purpose as a sound social media site. In fact, on the surface, Twitter appears to be merely a limb of the intricate Facebook anatomy, merely posting statuses and updating random friends and acquaintances regarding trivial adventures of the day or thoughts and opinions that could not be repressed. However, after reading “Twitter Literacy” by Howard Rheingold, I am determined to view Twitter in a new light with an open mind. After reading the article, I believe that Twitter presents a plethora of positive facets to the world of journalism. This cite enables the user to practice his or her first amendment right to freedom of speech by freely expressing  political or social opinions to a community of readers, thus creating a bound through the written word. However, the power of freedom of speech equipped to the users of Twitter can be misused and manipulated as in any site on the internet. 21^st Century literary skills tend to be overlooked when teaching computer skills in an academic environment. Most high school and elementary school teachers have little experience and a low level of 21^st century literacy due to the fact that they are new to this language developed around the digital media. Since this new development cannot be taught properly in most academic environments, the majority of students simply utilize their own experience on the internet and teach themselves, which can potentially be teeming with flaws.