In today’s society, the use of mobile phones has become the center of our day-to-day lives. Social media has become a major part of the lives of teenagers and young adults. Social Media outlets like Tiktok, Instagram, and Snapchat provide a platform where we can share our lives online with our friends and family. However, there are negatives to social media. People can hide behind a screen and spread hate, which can be detrimental to someone’s mental health. While social media provides a way to communicate with others, it can be the reason why someone decides their life is no longer worth living.

Social Media Pros 

Social media has many positives such as, easier and faster communication, easy access to information, easier marketing, and involvement with civic engagement. There is an entire pool of information at our fingertips and we can all learn something new on social media. With platforms like Snapchat it is easier to communicate with friends or family members over long distances. Tiktok is a major social media platform with content constantly being published to entertain viewers. Social Media has advanced over the decades and more outlets are being created to enhance entertainment and the spread of information. 

Social Media Cons

While social media provides many benefits, there is a negative side to social media. Social media has become highly addictive, causing people to not be present in the moment and losing a sense of reality. Mental Health disorders like anxiety and depression have increased amongst social media users. People can be whoever they want to be online, and no one will really know the person behind the username. People often compare themselves to their followers or friends on social media, increasing negative self esteem and the feeling of not belonging. People can also leave hate comments that can cause someone to feel bad about themselves. The benefit of sharing our opinions and information can be important, but this can also lead to someone questioning if their life is worth living.

My Personal Story 

Growing up I wasn’t allowed to have social media on my phone until I was in high

school. I used to have resentment towards my parents because of this. However, I now thank my parents because my relationship with social media has been very negative. I became obsessed with comparing myself to everyone I was seeing on Instagram and Tiktok. I always thought “I’m not skinny like her” or “why am I not as pretty as her”. These feelings led to a decline in my mental health and I battled with depression for a few years because the feeling of never being enough stemmed from my obsession with comparing myself to people online. I now have a better relationship with social media and I limit my time on it in my day-to-day life. 

My Thoughts 

I believe social media has been useful for me to connect with my long distance friends and family. I can stay up to date with my family members and I do enjoy looking at posts from my friends that I do not see on a daily basis. I have always been cautious about what I post or share on social media. Our digital footprint can play an important role when landing a job or internship. It is important to have a clean digital footprint to not only protect yourself but to spread positivity to those around you. I believe the advancement of technology has been beneficial for companies and media outlets to gain a bigger target audience. I enjoy seeing articles online about my favorite sport, hockey, and social media has made it easier for sports fans to stay up to date with their favorite team. While social media has provided an easier way to communicate with others, there is also the possibility of it negatively impacting someone’s mental health. It is important to be aware of what you post and to learn to separate social media from the real world. 

Anti-War

 In 1914, as war broke out in Europe, the United States was split with opposing views on whether the U.S. should get involved or not. Many leaders were in favor of joining the war and  those who opposed it were unfortunately heavily silenced. This time period showcased how easily the First Amendment could be weakened during a crisis. The issue of free speech during wartime is a recurring problem. 

The government passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts during WWI. This led to the arrest of antiwar activists, including pacifists and socialists. Even though the Constitution promised free speech, these activists were imprisoned, showing how speech rights can be limited in times of national crisis. The suppression of antiwar voices wasn’t just about limiting speech—it went against the democratic values the country was supposed to protect. The laws were meant to protect national security, but they also undermined the very freedoms they were trying to protect. This shows how protecting democracy can sometimes harm it.

We face similar problems in today’s society, however, the methods have changed. Antiwar voices are often pushed aside in mainstream media because of the close relationship between defense contractors and media outlets. These companies, who rely on military and government sources for information, often push pro-war messages and push antiwar viewpoints to the side.  The media tends to ignore the human costs of war, making the public less aware of the negative impacts of war. This helps the government push its foreign policies with little to no opposition.

However, alternative media outlets like Antiwar.com and The American Conservative expose the true costs of war and question the government’s justification for harsh military actions. These outlets highlight how defense contractors profit from wars, rather than regular citizens, and challenge the mainstream media’s narratives. They encourage people to think critically and reveal uncomfortable truths about the consequences of war.

Mainstream media often treats war as something distant and abstract, making it easier for the public to ignore the real impact. This detachment allows people to remain indifferent, making it harder to challenge military actions. Those who question the system are often labeled as conspiracy theorists or unpatriotic. This situation is driven by the defense industry’s influence over the media, which helps shape discussions about war to protect their interests. On the other hand, alternative media outlets are important because they provide transparency, hold the government accountable, and foster more informed debates about war and its effects. Supporting these independent outlets is important because they challenge the dominant pro-war narratives and spread the influential costs of military intervention to educate more people on the true impacts of war. 

EOTO 2: Reaction Spiral of Silence Theory

The presentation of the Spiral of Silence theory really stuck out to me because it is something that is unfortunately prevalent in today's society. The Spiral of Science theory is when people choose to not speak up about their views when they do not align with the majority views. People stay silent due to fear of receiving backlash or hate from others. After watching the presentation, I realized how many times I have chosen to stay silent when I could have possibly helped someone learn something new. I ususally stay silent around the topic of politics, however, as I have gotten older I have learned to express my opinion in order to try and educate others or learn something new. 

Discussing topics like politics is important because we can learn from other people while also teaching others. Everyone's opinion is different but when we share those opinions we can all learn something new and be further educated. Nowadays, people cannot discuss politics because there is so much hatred between the followers of both political parties. Many Americans miss out from learning from opposing views because of the Spiral of Silence Theory. 

One topic I choose to not talk about too often in fear of rejection is my religion. I believe in God and as a Christian I am called to spread God's word to teach more people about his love. However, when I try to spread God's word I am often judged or made fun of because I believe in God so much. I truly think this is sad to see in our society. We all are entitled to our own opinions and beliefs, and we should be able to openly share them without constantly being judged or hated on. Many Christians stay silent about their religious beliefs because of the fear that other people will be rude to them. 

This presentation got me to reflect more on my life and how I should no longer stay silent, but be open about my values and beliefs. This classmate helped me to learn that I am not alone with my differing view or belief, but that there is a silent majority out there. Moving forward, it is important for us to start sharing our opinions because we may never want to miss the opportunity to educate someone, learn something new, or share God's word. 

EOTO 1: Bluetooth Reaction

 Bluetooth is one invention from the EOTO presentations that I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about. Bluetooth is a tool that is used in almost everyone’s day to day life. Many people use bluetooth when driving or doing simple activities like cleaning or doing homework. Bluetooth has given people the chance to listen to music, podcasts, or any type of media whenever they want to.  

One interesting fact I learned about Bluetooth is that it is named after a Viking who had an actual blue tooth. Growing up, I always wondered where the name Bluetooth came from and now I finally have the answer. I was also shocked to learn that Bluetooth is a more recent invention, dating back to the first Bluetooth model made in 1998. I had previously thought Bluetooth was invented in the 80’s but didn’t become very technologically advanced until the 2000’s. Learning about the origin of Bluetooth was something that sparked my interest and gave me a deeper insight to the invention of this technology I use on a day to day basis. 

I personally use Bluetooth mainly for the purpose of streaming music. I am always listening to music in the car, in the shower, doing homework, cleaning my dorm, or when I workout. Music helps me to focus on the task I am working on and it acts as a white noise to my brain. Also, instead of a TV, me and my roommates watch movies and shows on a Bluetooth projector. The projector connects to our phones, computers, or Ipad’s via Bluetooth. Buying a Bluetooth projector was a much cheaper option than buying a TV for our living room and has made watching movies and shows more fun and nostalgic. Without Bluetooth, none of this would be possible. Bluetooth has also made it easier for people to communicate when traveling long distances. Apple Carplay is a major use of Bluetooth that can now be found in many cars. Carplay allows people to connect their phone to their car, which makes it safer for the driver to have phone calls while traveling. With the advancement of technology, Bluetooth will only continue to make lives easier. 

I believe Bluetooth has been an amazing invention that impacts society in a positive way. It has made it easier for me and other citizens to enjoy music on the go and has provided safety benefits when driving. I believe Bluetooth will only advance in the future, allowing people to connect many devices to other devices for easier streaming use. I enjoyed the presentation about Bluetooth and it has given me a better understanding of this technology that I use every day. 

The Age of AI

The documentary “In the Age of AI" by FRONTLINE, dives into the direct impact AI has/will continue to have on our societies. This documentary highlights topics such as employment, privacy, national security, and the levels of power demonstrated globally by different nations (either friendly or unfriendly). Additionally, the documentary details how AI is reshaping industries, developing superlative governmental surveillance capabilities, and places a focus on the competition between the United States and China. Furthermore, this documentary not only brings to attention the growing opportunities and challenges posed by AI, but describes the likelihood of producing the most paramount of results and the most egregious ones.

One key takeaway from the documentary is that automation is increasingly taking over tasks previously carried out by humans. The impact AI has had on the economy across various sectors has not only led to significant changes in the marketplace, but a decline in human influence. AI poses challenges related to the urgent need for the workforce to adapt to new technological demands as well as the number of available jobs. Another important point in the documentary is the expansion and advancements into surveillance. Governments have begun tasking themselves with leveraging AI to improve monitoring capabilities, which directly affects the privacy of Americans with the potential misuse of surveillance systems to monitor its citizens. On the bright side of privacy implications, personal data collection enables more advanced threat protection while enhancing personalized and efficient services. With regard to the negative impacts of AI, the inclusion of data exploitation poses a severe risk into the protection of personal information. This is extremely dangerous because that information can be used and abused without the consent from its owners for both commercial or political purposes. The extensive collection of data also raises concerns about the balance between innovation and individual rights. AI also has a major impact on national security. AI enhances the ability to quickly detect and respond to security threats, providing the nations that use it with a massive strategic advantage. However, these AI systems themselves can become targets for cyberattacks which threaten national security. AI also has significant positive/negative implications for online security and identity theft. AI has the ability to protect citizens and organizations through the benefits of AI’s ability to detect fraudulent activities more efficiently. Advanced AI algorithms can enhance the accuracy of identity verification processes, providing another layer of security for individuals or organizations. However, cybercriminals can leverage AI and turn it into a personal advantage/weapon. In doing this, they can carry out more sophisticated and harder-to-detect attacks. Furthermore, invasion of privacy with the use of AI highlights the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations. One interesting topic the documentary covered is the fierce competition between the United States and China in the race to develop artificial intelligence. Ethical considerations standout as a common theme when discussing biases in the AI algorithm and moral obligations to protect a nation's citizens. Lastly, there is uncertainty with regards to how the collection and analysis of personal data drives AI systems. This reliance on data poses the question of, “how to delegate the balance between fostering innovation whilst protecting privacy rights.” 

Several aspects of the documentary are not only surprising, but frightening. Rapid advancement and adoption of AI technologies across industries showcase the transformative pace of innovation on large scale. The surveillance enabled by AI in certain areas where such capabilities are more extensive than commonly understood, is another surprising factor when discussing the impact of AI. A negative impact of AI is the potential to harm economic disparities, favoring those with access to advanced technology. The rise of job displacement causes millions of workers to search for new roles in an ever changing society, which can affect anyone. The possible lack of privacy is another consequence of AI, with enhanced surveillance capabilities threatening individual security and privacy. Also, the development of AI-driven weapons can cause a rise of unanticipated warfare as these weapons raise ethical concerns regarding the usage of these weapons in war. 

In conclusion, “In the Age of AI” provides an analysis of the impacts of AI on society. While AI technology offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant challenges. AI has a positive impact on society such as enhanced efficiency, improved security, and new opportunities for innovation. However, issues like job displacement, erosion of privacy, ethical dilemmas, and increased national security, places the protection of individuals and organizations at further risk. AI will only continue to expand and become more advanced, so maintaining a balance between advanced technology and providing security is important regarding the use of AI.

Privacy

Any activity on our computer, phone, or Ipad contributes to our digital footprint. Everything that someone does online can be traced back to that person. Our digital footprint poses the question, Is our personal information secure? With our online history so easily accessible, this makes us vulnerable to hackers with malicious intent who could release our personal information. For Darieth Chisolm, her ex boyfriend used her digital footprint as a way to terrorize her. He posted explicit photos of her on a website for the whole world to see. This was extremely detrimental to her image and her mental health. 

Affects on Society  

Our digital footprint can be used in malicious ways if our private information is fallen into the wrong hands, which can affect anyone. Our personal information such as address, phone number, credit or debit card information, emails, and personal photos could be leaked by hackers at any moment. Unfortunately, cases like Darieth Chisolm's is common among teenagers and young adults because most of their digital footprint comes from social media. Young couples might trust each other to share explicit content, however, the content shared does not disappear. An ex partner might use that content to expose you or a hacker could gain access to that content. Nobody is safe from the possibility of private information being leaked online. It is crucially important to be aware of the content we post and share online or on social media. One day that content can come back to haunt you if ever spread publicly across the internet.

Government Involvement 

Four governmental Acts have been established to protect the online privacy of users. The U.S. Privacy Act of 1974 was put in place to give users access to their data and to know what companies are doing with their data. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures the protection of a patient's personal medical history and data. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) protects the personal financial information of users. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents websites or companies from collecting data of adolescents 12 years old or younger. All of these Acts aim to provide protection for online users in regards to securing personal data. Our government could improve on serving justice for those who have had their personal information leaked online by increasing fines or jail time for these crimes. 

How we can protect ourselves 

We can protect our personal online information by investing in VPN services for devices such as mobile phones and computers. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and they encrypt your data, making it harder for hackers to access your personal information. VPNs also make it harder for advertisers to track your online activity. While a VPN certainly helps to provide an extra layer of protection over your online activity and personal data, it is not absolute. To further protect our online data we must be aware of the content we share  and post online. It is also important to know what websites are using our data and how they are using it. 

While cases like Darieth Chisolm's are heartbreaking, it is unfortunately common in our society. Be wise about who you share explicit content with because you never fully know someone's intentions with that content. It is also important to be aware of the content you share on social media or the internet. Everything can be traced back to you through your digital footprint, making you an easy target to internet hackers. With social media being a prevalent online tool in today's society, it is crucial to be cautious about your online activity. 

EOTO 2 Media Consolidation and the Sherman Antitrust Act

What is Media Consolidation?

Media consolidation is the process in which smaller media outlets are taken over or merge with larger corporations. While media consolidation has the ability to increase an audience’s reach, there is an equal chance for it to not only limit the variety of voices and freedom of the press, but affect the concentration of the media’s power. 

The Positives of Media Consolidation 

Through analysis into the key benefits of media consolidation, it is apparent that smaller media outlets gain traction through merging with larger outlets. These smaller outlets now have the opportunity to broadcast on both a national and global scale. With regard to the advertisers, they benefit due to the larger target audience they’re able to reach across the world.
It should be noted that larger media outlets will more than likely have access to larger amounts of money and resources to invest in hosts, commentators, and content creators. With that in mind, this presents smaller media outlets the opportunity to not only produce a variety of content (including engaging talk shows, news programs, and entertainment series), but further enables them to maintain a competitive edge in a growing media marketplace.

The Negatives of Media Consolidation

One of the biggest concerns that media consolidation presents (aside from diversifying voices), is the limitations placed on individuals and corporations with regard to having their own beliefs/opinions. The amount of perspectives available for the public to choose from is decreased and the variety of content is further narrowed as smaller outlets are taken over by larger corporations. Large media outlets tend to prioritize content that will attract the most amount of viewers possible, which consequently neglects less popular but equally important topics. Content from smaller media outlets are often discarded for more mainstream content, which can lead to the publication of media that does not appeal to the widest possible audience.

Media consolidation has been shown to contribute to the rising subscription fees for access to content which negatively affects consumers. Additionally, consumers are being presented with fewer options for region-specific information due in part to larger networks reducing the amount of local media content.
While all of this information is bad enough on its own, it only gets worse when considering the massive impact journalists face. Larger corporations have been shown to not only alter but completely trash journalists’ stories because the content does not align with the corporations values or opinions; this is yet another example of how limited the freedom of the press has become. Media Consolidation also leads to fewer job opportunities for journalists because of the access to advanced technology that larger corporations have.

The Sherman Antitrust Act and Media Consolidation

The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890,  was put in place to prevent/avoid the possibility of monopolies by making it illegal for businesses to engage in practices that limit competition. In theory, the act prevents media consolidation from occurring by stopping large corporations from controlling the majority of the media marketplace. However, the Sherman Act does not apply the same way to media outlets.
The First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press, enables the media industry to be treated differently. The right to free expression, which leads to a diverse marketplace of ideas, should be considered when applying antitrust laws to the media. As a result, media consolidation is sometimes allowed to proceed even if it limits competition, granted it avoids creating a monopoly within the marketplace.

Conclusion

Media consolidation has both opportunities and consequences for media outlets. It has the ability to expand audience reach, improve content quality, and provide financial resources for smaller media outlets. Consequently, the variety of viewpoints is limited with regard to journalistic freedom. The spread of information is also threatened when viewers cancel their subscriptions due to the increased service cost when these smaller outlets merge with larger corporations. While the Sherman Antitrust Act has an important role in preventing monopolies, it's fair to say that its application into the media industry is far from similar in other types of businesses. Ultimately, a balance between the economic benefits of consolidation and the need to protect a diverse media marketplace is essential for ensuring freedom of the press.