September 2009 Archives

Focus Question:  How much control should government's have regarding what personal information citizens post on the internet?

Title: Has Governmental Censorship Gone Too Far?

I.  Introduction

      A. Does governmental control benefit us? (our safety)

      B. Or does governmental control benefit the government?

II.  U.S. Government

      A. Constitutional Rights

           1. 1st ammendment (freedom of speech & press)

           2. 4th ammendment (search & seizure)

      B. "Obama aides must disclose web posts, facebook profiles." (Article)

III.  Other Governments

      A. "China limits web videos after adultery accusation." (Article)

      B. Other countries

          1. Middle East

          2. Past "internet freedom"

          3. More extreme 

IV.  Conclusion

"NPR: China Limits Web Videos After Adultery Accusation."

This article explains that China's government will only allow government-owned or government-controlled video websites.  In America, this would be a violation of our constitutional rights.  Where can governments draw the line between profanity and sensorship, and free speech and governmental control?  What rights are given to Chinese citizens regarding a right to free speech?

Melber, Ari. "About Facebook."

I don't think people should expect things to remain private after they post them on the internet. 

McCullagh, Decian. "Would-be Obama aides must disclose Web posts, Facebook profiles."

I don't think there is any problem with President Obama asking prospective employees to provide detailed information of what they have posted on the internet.  Obama is trying to prevent future government scandals, by screening prospective employees ahead of time.  I don't feel it is unreasonable, if someone is uncomfortable with providing this information, then they should not apply for the job.  American citizens have the right to know detailed information about people that our running our country.

Obama isn't asking these prospective employees to not own guns, he is simply asking them IF they own guns, and many states you have to register your gun regardless.

How much control should the government have regarding what it's citizens post on the internet?

The article I chose to read was "How Reading is Being Reimagined," by Matthew Kirschenbaum.  The article discusses how books and the process of reading is changing due to technology.  For example, the article states that Google is "digitalizing" about 3,000 books every day.  The author goes on the discuss the difference between reading and skimming.  As I read this I realized that was exactly what I was doing.  I had been skimming the article, just reading enough of it to have something to write in this blog entry.  That's when I started the article over and actually took the time to read and understand it.

I don't believe "skimming" is a bad thing when it's something that's not very important to you or something that you're not interested it.

Does reading on the internet cause more "skim" reading?  Or are we using the same reading techniques whether it's an article on the computer or an article in print?

The article I chose to read was "Teens and Technology" written by Amanda Lenhart, Paul Hitlin, and Mary Madden.  The article discusses surveys conducted concerning teenagers and their use of technology.  Statistics show that the rate of teenagers using the internet has increased 24% in the last four years.  This statistic and others in the article didn't suprise me very much.  The article was written in 2005, and some of the computer and other technological programs seemed already out of date.  In the article they discuss text messaging and Instant Messaging as main form of communication teenagers use.  Four years later, in 2009, there are newer forms of communication available that are not discussed in the article.  More popular now are Facebook, Skype, and BlackBerry Messaging (BBM). 

What would the statistics of teenagers on the internet be in 2009?

What other forms of communication are used amoungst teenagers?

Technological Impact

"The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur" (4).  Hannah Gutowski

Invasion of Privacy

"I have here before me... Electrical information devices for universal, tyrannical womb-to-tomb surveillance are causing a very serious dilemma between our claim to privacy and the community's need to know" (7).  Hannah Gutowski

Forms of Knowledge

"Most people find it difficult to understand purely verbal concepts.  They suspect the ear; they don't trust it.  In general we feel more secure when things are visible, when we can "see for ourselves" (9).  Hannah Gutowski

Blog Prompt: Of all the issues, changes, and visions McLuhan shares - which seems most relevant today?  Why?

I think the most relevant issue McLuhan addresses in his article is that of technology interferring with our jobs.  I believe that in the near future many people will lose their jobs due to advancing technology.  In my computer science class I recently learned that there are already robots with the ability to perform surgery on patients.  Though technological advances may benefit society as a whole, many individuals losing their jobs will feel the consequences. 

Woke up with my alarm clock on my phone.

Checked the weather and my email on my computer.

Listened to my ipod on my ihome while I got ready for class.

Text - Messaged and called my roomates & friends during and between classes.

Wrote this blog entry.