CSCI 12 Blog 3 -- Bubbles, Mind-Control, and Homophily

There was a lot going on in these three pieces. The Ted Talk about online filter bubbles discussed how it's harmful to only be exposed to information or media you want to hear and see. The mind-control article was about integrating the organic with the inorganic. And, finally, the Bandwidth article was about how associating with people who think like you and believe the same things you do is not such a bad thing. I agree that having your browsing experience tailored to you can be detrimental to your intellectual growth as you become so fixed and stubborn about your views you fail to see the views of others. One of the biggest problems with this, as mentioned in the Ted Talk, was how a lot of information you could receive is filtered out so you are unable to experience what you're searching for holistically. I also agree that having your browsing experience specially tailored to you is a wonderful thing as it shows you things relevant to your interests so you'll enjoy reading them and consuming the media more. It also helps to strengthen your beliefs and ideas about certain topics as it gives you a wealth of information related to the subject of your research. However, this is where the opposite stance comes into play. It is indeed dangerous to just saturate your mind with things relevant to you and prevents you from being a well-rounded, attentive, and educated person. However, the Bandwidth article does make mention of how you should have different types of friends along with the ones who think similarly to you so you may get similar perspectives to nurture your ideas, but also different friends who are not so close to you with different beliefs to act as a new channel of information.

I admit I indulge in homophily, but I make no mistake to drown myself in it. I believe it is very important to see multiple perspectives as they all create a lens through which we can look at something and see it in a plethora of lights.

The article about mind control basically speaks about putting the internet into our minds and controlling it with our brains. This is revolutionary as we are taking steps towards this. However this idea has great and devastating potential at the same time. We could think on a quantum level and expand our horizons greatly, though I don't think the chip talked about in the article would be available for everyone to use. On the other hand, we must recall that knowledge is power, and by virtue of human nature, placing such immense power in the hands of people can lead to disaster. I just don't think human civilization is evolved enough to handle such vast amounts of information, not while there's still sexism, murder, war, poverty, and so on. We're just simply not ready for that next level of consciousness--not yet.

CSCI 12 Blog 2 -- How Obama Really Did It

President Obama became a very well-known face in the months leading up to his election as president. Before, he was just a rookie senator with no real notoriety until he used the media to his advantage. I recall hearing about him suddenly, and there was such a big fuss over him and Hilary because either way history was going to be made if either got elected--the first black president or the first female president. It was a pretty momentous moment when the principal of my middle school played, in real time, Obama making his presidential oath and everyone remained silent as they listened to the PA system.

President Obama's success hinged on his media coverage and the way in which the media presented him. He sure did his part to be charismatic, deliver his speeches well, and not falter in his public speaking. But even before he could do all of that, he had to get the funding. What better way than to create a website called MyBO and take it from there? That's such a funny play of words, it seems easy to fall in love with and support. Obama's method was to create an environment for unity and solidarity so as to bring people together and really inspire them to go out and vote. To do this, he understood and recognized that people used social media A LOT. This enabled him to focus the way he sought support, and proved to be very effective as he raised $55 million dollars in one months. Phenomenal! Once he had the means, he made sure to have his website updated properly with current political standings of people in the neighborhood so as to build that sense of community. 

Obama's actions remind me of how John F. Kennedy utilized the advent of the television to really sell himself to America. His opponent, Richard Nixon, just couldn't keep up and didn't realize the powerful impact the television would have on his image.  

CSCI 12 Blog 1 -- Issues Raised in the PBS Presentation

In the presentation about Growing Up Online by FRONTLINE, there were a number of issues raised by both the parents and the kids using the internet. Issues raised ranged from sexual predators to kids withdrawing from their families. One issue that really stood out to me was the double lives kids created for themselves. It may seem so strange that you have a different life on the internet, when really it's not that surprising. If you're in an environment where you feel everyone is against you and no one in your immediate vicinity doesn't understand you, it makes sense to use the internet to reach out to people who do understand you and have similar interests. It's basically a coping mechanism that allows people to feel relieved and not weird, and help them survive in their boring, unhappy physical reality. 

My point is further backed by the case of Jessica Hunters who wasn't accepted as normal in her community and felt isolated as a result. She was tagged as "goth" and just didn't fit in. As a result, she took to the web with her unique sense of individuality and a the screen name "Autumn Edows" in a series of photo postings and became quite popular. She had friends, followers, and admirers alike--something she never had, or never would have, in her physical life. Her photo postings seemed to make her happy and feel good about herself, so it makes sense she has a separate identity. Who wants to be an outcast? Not that many people. 

As a matter of fact, I too, acted like someone I wasn't online. When I used to have MySpace way back when, I talked to people I didn't know about things I knew nothing about. It seemed innocent, and I really didn't think much of what I was doing. It was fun "pimping" my profile (remember that website?) and talking about the things I liked. My parade came to an end when my parents found out and threatened to beat me if I didn't show them my account. Needless to say, I never went on MySpace again and my mother scolded me about the dangers associated with online "rapists, pedophiles, and murderers." 

Now don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily believe it's okay to be untrue to yourself, quite the opposite actually, but when you live in unhappy circumstances, it really helps to preserve your sanity to survive another day until you can make a break for it.