EOTO Presentations - BLOG #6

The brief timeline of communication technology.

Out of all of the presentations, I decided to focus on three things from Group 3 that stood out to me the most: the radio, pens, and motion pictures. These were all things that I obviously knew existed, but I had never really thought about how much had to happen for them to become what we know today.

Guglielmo Marconi

The radio was probably the most fascinating to me. I had no idea that there were so many different people credited with its invention instead of one clear inventor. It was also interesting to learn how important radio became for communication, especially for ships, and how it basically created an entirely new wave of science and technology. Radios eventually became smaller, and the technology behind them helped lead to things we use today, like Bluetooth and Apple Pay. That connection genuinely never would have crossed my mind.

Pen Evolution

I also never thought I would be fascinated by the history of a pen, but here we are. I was shocked that the rollerball pen was first invented in 1888, and then even more shocked to learn that it wasn't actually successful. László Bíró improved the design in the 1930s, but it didn't really become popular until the 1940s. Did none of y'all need to journal before then??

Finally, I loved learning about motion pictures. Early inventions like the Kinetoscope and Kinetograph eventually helped turn moving images into an entire entertainment industry. The first public film exhibition happened in 1895, helping movies become mass entertainment.

The Horse in Motion

Coming from a HUGE movie lover, thank GOD. It is crazy to think that something that started so simply eventually became one of the biggest forms of entertainment in the world.

AI Disclosure: This blog post was written with the help of Grammarly. While I was writing, Grammarly gave optional suggestions that I chose every now and then to make corrections in my writing and make it sound better/more concise.

EOTO #1 - BLOG #5

Apple unveiling the first, original iPod.

When I think about listening to music today, I honestly don’t even think twice about having basically any song I want right on my phone. I can open Spotify or Apple Music, search for a song, and listen to it within seconds. But before smartphones and streaming services, having your entire music library in your pocket was actually a huge deal. That is what made Apple’s original iPod so important.

iPhone 14 vs. iPod Classic

Apple officially introduced the first iPod on October 23, 2001. According to Apple’s original announcement, it had 5GB of storage, held about 1,000 songs, weighed only 6.5 ounces, and had up to 10 hours of battery life. The price surprised me the most: $399! That seems like a lot for an MP3 player now, especially when our phones can do everything the iPod did and way more.

Something I found interesting while researching is that Apple did not invent the MP3 player. Other digital music players already existed before the iPod. What Apple did differently was focus on making the whole experience easier. Instead of only creating a device that played digital music, Apple focused on how much music it could hold, how quickly users could transfer songs, and how easily they could actually find the song they wanted.

One of the most recognizable features of the original iPod was its scroll wheel. Imagine having 1,000 songs and trying to find one specific song by pressing an up or down button over and over again. The scroll wheel allowed users to quickly move through long lists of songs, artists, and albums. According to the Smithsonian’s history of Apple design, Steve Jobs also pushed his team to make the interface extremely simple, so users could get where they wanted in only a few clicks.

Another important part of the iPod was its connection with iTunes. When users connected their iPod to a Mac, iTunes could automatically sync their songs and playlists. However, the iTunes Music Store did not exist yet. That would not launch until 2003, so early iPod users commonly added music to their computers from CDs and then transferred it to their iPods.

The "iPod Classic"

The iPod became even more accessible in 2002. Apple introduced new iPod models with up to 20GB of storage, a new touch-sensitive wheel, and, most importantly, compatibility with Windows computers. Before this, the iPod was basically limited to Mac users. The Smithsonian notes that the iPod’s market share began growing after Windows compatibility was introduced, followed by the iTunes Music Store in 2003.

I think the biggest impact of the iPod is something we still experience every day. It helped change what people expected from portable music. Instead of choosing a few CDs to bring somewhere, people could suddenly carry around a huge personal music library in one small device.

The iPod also helped create the type of Apple ecosystem we recognize today, where the device, software, and services are all designed to work together. Apple continued producing different versions of the iPod for more than 20 years before announcing the end of the iPod line in 2022.

It is kind of crazy that “1,000 songs in your pocket” sounded revolutionary in 2001. Today, we can access millions of songs from the same device we use to text, take pictures, watch videos, and basically everything else. The technology has changed, but the idea behind the iPod has never really disappeared.

AI Disclosure: AI was used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from credible academic sources linked in the post. I then prompted ChatGPT Plus to help me shape the information into a blog between 500 and 650  words written in a smooth, professional style. Finally, I added appropriate images and captions to help break up the text and give the post a more professional look.

Privacy, Online & Off - BLOG #4

After watching these TED Talks and learning more about online privacy in class, I have realized just how little privacy we actually have. I have always known that the internet tracks information about us, but I never realized how detailed that information can become. Between data mining, location tracking, and digital dossiers, companies and even the government can create an extremely detailed picture of who we are.

Catherine Crump's TED Talk, what bothered me the most was learning how law enforcement can track people's license plates and use that information to see where they go on a daily basis. Something as simple as driving to church, therapy, or a political demonstration can become a part of a record about you. It especially bothers me that departments can make assumptions about people based on these locations. Crump suggests deleting information that is no longer needed, but I honestly fo not find that very realistic. With technology and AI continuing to advance, I think this issue will only become more complicated.

Juan Enriquez compared our online activity to "electronic tattoos," which really stood out to me. I've had my fair share of accidentally posting the wrong thing, and it never feels good because I have been told my entire like that the internet lasts forever. Being a pastor's daughter and now a university ambassador has expecially engraved into my brain that I need to watch what I post.

What I found the most interesting was Enriquez comparing our digital presence to a form of immortality. As someone who is afraid of death, you would think immortality would sound comforting, but it actually does not. The idea that pieces of me could exist online forever is unsettling. These talks made me realize that privacy is not only about what we choose to post. It is also about what happens to our information after we give it away.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from notes that I took while watching the two linked TED Talks in the post. I then prompted ChatGPT Plus to help me shape my notes into a blog between 300 and 350 words written in a smooth, professional style. I then added links to videos that the reader could watch for more information. Finally, I added appropriate images and captions to help break up the text and give the post a more professional look.

8 Values of Free Expression - BLOG #3

When I used to think about freedom of speech, I thought it was pretty simple. Americans have the right to say what they believe, and that's it. After learning about the Eight Values of Free Expression, I realized there is much more behind that freedom. The First Amendment does not just protect our ability to speak. Freedom of expression influences how we form our identities, learn from the people around us, challenge each other's ideas and figure out what is true.

Out of the Eight Values of Free Expression, the two that stood out to me the most were "Individual Self-Fulfillment" and the "Marketplace of Ideas." I think these two are especially important today because so much of our communication and self-expression happens on the internet.

1. Individual Self-Fulfillment

Individual Self-Fulfillment is based on the idea that free expression allows people to develop their own identities. We are able to express what we believe and discover people who share similar interests and values. These steps in life eventually help us decide who we want to be.

This value immediately stood out to me because I think self-expression is such a huge part of our lives, especially for my generation. Social media has completely changed the multiple different ways we can express ourselves. People create videos, take pictures, make music, record podcasts, write blogs and curate countless other forms of content. Even something as asimple as what someone chooses to repost can say something about what they care about.

According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of American adults use YouTube, half use Instagram, and 37% use TikTok. Social media has essentially created millions of individual platforms where ordinary people can have a voice.

I especially connect with this value because I enjoy creating content and sharing my thoughts! Being able to express myself creatively has helped me learn more about what I like, what I believe and what I want to do with my talents in the future. At the same time, I think it also means having the freedom to change. We are constantly learning, and something I believe today may change as I participate in new experiences or gain new information. To sum it up, having freedom of expression gives us room to grow!

2. Marketplace of Ideas

The second value that really interested me was the Marketplace of Ideas, also known as the "Discovery of Truth." The basic concept is that instead of censoring ideas, different ideas should be allowed to compete with each other. The modern Marketplace of Ideas theory says that ideas should be tested through competition rather than having an authority decide what everyone is allowed to hear

I agree with this idea, but I also think social media has made it much more complicated!

We have access to an unbelievable amount of information. I can open my phone right now and within minutes see hundreds of different opinions about the exact same political issue, celebrity controversy, court case or breaking news story. In some ways, that is the Marketplace of Ideas working exactly as intended. We can hear multiple perspectives and decide what we believe instead of only receiving one version of a story.

However, more information does not always mean better information.

A Pew Research Center study found that 90% of American adults only sometimes encounter news they believe is inaccurate, while 51% say it is difficult to determine what is true when consuming pretty much all news. I think that creates an interesting problem... If truth and lies are competing, what guarantees that truth actually wins?

On social media, the most accurate post is not necessarily the one that gets millions of views. Sometimes the most shocking or controversial version will spread the fastest. That makes media literacy incredibly important. Freedom of expression gives us access to different viewpoints, but we still have a responsibility to check sources and actually be willing to listen to information that goes against what we already believe!

Why These Freedoms Matter

What I find the most interesting and really why I picked these two specific values is how they go hand in hand. Individual Self-Fulfillment protects our ability to develop and express our own voices, and then the Marketplace of Ideas gives those voices a place to meet and challenge each other.

Learning about the Eight Values of Free Expression has made me realize that freedom of speech isn't valuable just because it allows us to speak our minds. It's valuable because of everything that happens afterward. We learn from one another, challenge each other's beliefs, develop our identities and sometimes even change each other's minds. In a world where almost anyone can publish something to millions of people with just the press of a button, I think protecting free expression and learning how to use it responsibly is more important than ever!

U.S. Supreme Court - BLOG #2

The Supreme Court as composed June 30, 2022 to present.

Before watching these videos, I understood that the U.S. Supreme Court was an important part of our government, but I did not realize how much responsibility falls on only nine people. As the highest court in the country, its decisions can affect Americans for generations.

U.S. Supreme Court Building

One thing that impressed me most was learning that around 7,000 petitions arrive at the Supreme Court every year. A case begins with a written petition, and the justices meet in private conferences to discuss which cases they will hear and cases they have already finished.

I was also surprised by how much responsibility each individual justice carries. Although they have assistance from clerks and secretaries, each justice is ultimately responsible for making their own decisions.

It was interesting to learn that it can take a new justice a few years to fully understand how to do the job. Considering they are responsible for interpreting the Constitution, which was written more than 200 years ago, and applying it to modern issues, I can understand why.

Another fact that stood out to me was how long a justice can influence the country. Some remain on the Court for decades after the president who appointed them has left office, meaning one appointment can impact the United States far into the future.

I also enjoyed learning about some of the Court's traditions. The justices take a new group portrait whenever someone new joins, and before every conference, each justice shakes hands with every other justice. I think this is a meaningful tradition because even when they strongly disagree, they begin their work by showing respect for one another.

My biggest takeaway was learning that much of the Supreme Court's power rests on public faith in the institution. The Court makes decisions that can directly affect the rights and lives of millions of people, making the public's trust incredibly important.

After watching these videos, I have a much better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at the Supreme Court. More importantly, I understand why the decisions of these nine justices deserve our attention.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from notes that I took while watching a video titled "Supreme Court of the United States." I then prompted ChatGPT Plus to help me shape my notes into a blog post between 300 and 350 words written in a smooth, professional style. I then added links to online sources that the reader could pursue for more information. Finally, I added appropriate images and captions to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look.

My Top 5 News Sources - BLOG #1

1. Google

Google is probably my most-used source of information because it is always the first place I go when I have a question. Whether I am researching something for school, looking into a story I saw online, or trying to fact-check a claim, Google helps me find multiple sources instead of relying on just one post. I would recommend Google to anyone who wants to research a topic quickly, but it is still important to pay attention to where the information comes from.

2. Apple News

Apple News is one of my main news sources because it puts stories from many different publications in one place. I usually find out about major breaking news through a notification on my phone before I see it anywhere else. I also like that the app learns what topics I am interested in while still showing me important national and international stories. I would recommend Apple News to anyone who wants an easy way to keep up with what is happening throughout the day.

3. YouTube

YouTube is one of my favorite sources when I want more than a short headline or article. I use it to watch interviews, commentary, video essays, and longer breakdowns of topics that interest me. It is especially helpful when a story is complicated because I can hear someone explain it and see the evidence they are discussing. Since anyone can upload to YouTube, I try to compare different videos and check where creators are getting their information before believing everything they say.

4. NBC News

NBC News is one of the sources I use for major national and international stories. I like that its coverage is straightforward and includes written articles, video clips, live updates, and interviews. I normally turn to NBC when I want the basic facts about an important event before looking at people’s opinions about it online! I would recommend NBC News to anyone looking for a familiar source that covers several types of news in one place.

5. New York Post

The New York Post is a source I use for trending stories, entertainment news, crime stories, and topics that people are already discussing on social media. Its headlines usually catch my attention, and the articles are easy to read when I want a quick explanation of what happened. I don't think any single publication should be someone’s only source, so I often search for additional coverage if a story seems especially surprising or controversial. I would recommend the New York Post to people who enjoy staying updated on stories that are currently getting a lot of attention!