Online Influencers

 Blog #8

                                                Online Influencers....

    Now more than ever, online influencers have taken over the world. Ranging from the ages of 18 through 24 in 2019, those numbers have changed by a lot. There are now young children on the internet that are about 13 years old that are making millions from becoming an online influencer. It is never too late to become one though, as we are shown by many popular, older, influencers. Overall, online influencers have really done their job.... influenced many, many individuals with everything from makeup, purchases, jobs, and anything you can think of. 

When you think of an online influencer in these days, TikTok is what the majority of people's minds will go to, but, online influencers emerged originally from a launch called PayPerPost. In the year 2006, Ted Murphy created PayPerPost, which was the first online database that payed bloggers, at the time, to create content for brands.... which is exactly what influencers today do on other social media platforms. Controversy started around Murphy as people were "particularly concerned that this new sponsorship model would dilute the Internet with inauthentic content." This quote is important because that is a lot of the talk today surrounding influencers. When influencers get a brand deal, we all know they are getting paid. In some videos you can even see because it will say "payed sponsorship" at the bottom or the influencer will start the video by saying "thank you so much *the brand name* for sponsoring this video." 

When influencers post sponsorships online, we never know if they are really telling the truth on the product, and just want to get paid. With that comes danger because young kids will not do there research and just say "Look, my favorite influencer says to buy it, so I have to get it!" Personally, I went through that too. Growing up Youtube was a very popular area for online influencers. The website emerged in 2005 and had about 30,000 visitors on the site per day. By summer of 2006, 100 million videos were uploaded each day. 

Now taking a look at the growth of the job of being an online influencer in general. Many had never even thought of being an influencer, until the opportunities came there way and they were met with fame. One example of this is widely popular influencer Charli D'Amelio. Being a competitive dancer in Connecticut, she posted a couple videos on TikTok and grew over night fame. After just about 6 months on being online, she stared in a Super Bowl Commercial and danced with Jennifer Lopez. 

Anyone can become famous on the internet now, it just all depends on the attraction you gain from others. This can affect the minds of the younger generation, in some positive and negative ways. Some believe all they need to do when they are older is move to California and become famous, when it is much more than that. Parents are worried their children are going to become so involved in this idea and not have a plan for themselves. While that is worrisome, some of the individuals that plan to do this in the future do know how they will continue on this path and have the real passion for it. Positive outcomes can emerge from the thought of being an online influencer, but negative outcomes can also arise. 

In the long run, online influencers will only grow. They are changing the game for many companies that people might not hear of, but once heard from an influencer, is expanded greatly with sales. I think this is a good thing for most companies and not negative just for the fact that they get more attraction, which is what I am sure most businesses want. Numerous individuals have a negative outlook on influencers, which there are many valid reasonings towards, but I feel they hold power for the future, and not all in negative ways. 

Diffusion of innovations

 Blog #7

                                TikTok + the Diffusion of innovations 

    TikTok, an app everyone around the world has heard about or is currently using. The app had launched in 2016, but began its popularity in February of 2019.  From watching videos to help you cook in the kitchen, to learning a new fifteen second dance, TikTok grew rapidly. Especially in 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world and forced us all to sit in our houses, and stare at screens. Many known TikToker's now had their rise to fame in that industry during March of 2020 due to being in the house and making videos to entertain others. 

Individuals saw this app, and took it as an opportunity to showcase skills they have and different talents people might enjoy. To understand the popularity of TikTok, it currently has 1 billion downloads.... which took instagram 7 years to conclude too. This fact ties into why people would become such early adopters of the app.. its growth. With this, comes many downsides. The number one negative connotation connected towards TikTok is the addiction that people, specially the younger generations have with it. Younger children, more than you think, have the app downloaded either with parents permission or without. Unfortunately, not that many parents or guardians watch over their kids on what they look up, who they are watching, or what they are consuming in general within the app. There are also many safety concerns surrounding social media in a whole. Anyone can find anybody on these apps, and even create fake names which is a fear when it comes to the younger generation using these and not knowing what's wrong or right. 

Some make the choice not to join the app, and that is okay. The reasoning to this is similar to the negative aspects of TikTok; false security, addiction, influences, and many more. When downloading a social media app, people are not doing it intentionally for others / strangers to find them and connect. Majority of us download it to connect with present friends or just to post and watch entertaining content. With that though, we gain some risks, specifically with security. The app itself collects a lot of data from all of our phones, which I don't think anyone genuinely wants, as well as who is using this data collected from your phone. Major concerns arise from that thought, which should be talked about more when downloading the applications. 

In the end, I think TikTok has done a lot of positive things for the community of people that are engaged on it. Many have found they're calling through the app, have been discovered for different talents, or even discovered a new hobby from learning it from others that showcase it publicly. Just like reading a book or going on a walk, for some people, TikTok is their way to escape the reality for a second and just enjoy these time learning and watching new things. Reality though does come into the app as there are content creators / influencers who their jobs are to educate us on real world problems through their 60 second videos. This is helpful to many who don't enjoy to watch the news or what-have-you, and can see what is happening to our world in this app. Everyone has their
opinions, but to me, I think TikTok has brought many smiles, laughs, and connections. 

EOTO Technology Presentations

 Blog #5 

                                                The start of movies 

    During our Each One Teach One presentations, I knew about all of the technologies that everyone had mentioned, but not the in depth details of it all. It was nice to learn more about the impacts and creation of topics like Netflix, social media, and even carrier pigeons. One topic of discussion that caught my eye was the start of movies - specifically, the creation of the Kinetoscope.

In the year 1890, William Dickenson had the idea for a machine that allowed numerous people to look through a peephole and watch moving pictures. The way Dickenson had this work was by inserting pieces of film and it was passed through rapidly between an electric bulb and lens. While this is going on, the person using the kinetoscope views the peephole. A man riding on a horse in a race was the first motion picture film put into the kinetoscope. 

Thomas Edison also helped with the creation of the kinetoscope, but both of the men did not think it would go as far as it did. After the release in the United States in 1984, it had created an immense sensation not only in New York City, but everywhere. Europe had sold the majority and had formed the basis of the first apparatus used to project motion picture film. 

Anti-War Post

 Blog #6

            

                                           Why is Anti-war hidden?  

    The United States is known as the "best country is the world." That statement is true in some aspects, numerous other countries have it much harder than we do. I am always grateful that I was born into this country and have the opportunities I do, but there are some things that are not always as they seem. Governments all around the globe have their issues, but we have some huge ones here. 

War is a big problem in America. Most individuals, that we see, are in support for war and there are others, that are not spoken about much, that are not in support of war. The reasoning as to why I think we do not see many Anti-war speakers in public is because the Government tries to hide them. I know what you are thinking, "that is absurd.." but it's true. During the past two years we have seen some of the Governments true colors shine from banning people on social media, stating certain messages on television, and much more. That being said, the Government obviously values their own opinions and not really anyone else's. For example, if individuals had mentioned the COVID-19 vaccine on any social media in a negative way, they would be reported or cannot get back on the app. Why? Aren't these social platforms a way for others to express how they feel about anything they would like. This caused a lot of disruption with many people. Especially those who worked in the medical or science fields. Many of those workers lost jobs due to speaking their own opinions.

How does this correlate to people speaking on anti-war issues? Well, they are very similar. Numerous well-written writers have spoken there opinions or even facts on war going on in the U.S and our involvement with other wars, and they are not as noticed as other writers. One prime example of a website that does not get noticed in the media often, one that I have personally never seen before, is ANTIWAR.COM. When watching the news or looking at social media surrounding these topics, majority of the time you would not come across this website or others like it because the Government does not want people to read others opinions on something they do not agree with. Personally, I have never seen a headline nor do I think I will see a headline in the future on the news with the title "Secret documents have exposed the CIA's Julian Assange Obsession." or something like that. 

In the end, I think we have to search deep lengths to hear strong anti-war pieces voices because of the difference in opinion and how it is taken in these days. All of us have to be extremely cautious about what we post on the media, especially if it is during an on-going issue and you have a certain job. Another factor as to why we don't hear about these websites often is because when people go looking for information, they usually take a look at non-biased websites. The website we were assigned to take a look at had many opinionated pieces, which people do not look for when they want to find out the facts. 

SMS Text

 Blog #4

  

                                                   SMS Text Messages

    In todays society, texting is one of the most important uses of technology. Everyone uses it to let someone know they are on there way to a meeting, an event of some sort, to catch up with people, to send information, and really however they want. Personally, I have not lived in a world where texting was not a thing, but many people have. It is such a simple concept to the world now, for instance if you have a phone and you do not text, why are you using it? That sounds like a crazy question but it is the facts of it all. Phones and all of the applications inside of them have become so extreme over the past years that if you were to show someone from the 1800's a phone, they would not know how to even describe it. By now I am sure you are wondering, "Who came up with texting?" Well, let me tell you. 

There is much background to this story, but I will start by telling you that the concept of SMS texting came about from two men named Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert in 1984. Telegraphing had already been an action since 1837, which is more than 100 years before the SMS text thought came through. Years passed by and the first messaging network came about in 1971 from the University of Hawaii. They had used ALOHAnet to send ultra-high frequency radio waves that carried messages. 

Now, back to Hillebrand and Ghillebaert, in 1984. The concept was created, but only allowed users to send 160 characters per text message. Some might think that this was not enough to convey in a text to someone, but, Hillebrand argued that it was plenty. He would sit down at a type-writer and form random sentences that you would usually text someone. That is how he got the average number of characters they should propose for the SMS. Even though these two showed the world the concept of SMS texting, there had to be some engineers or computer scientists involved, right? Yes, his name was Matti Makkonen who had worked at the company Nokia. He does not like to credit himself though, as there were many others who were involved.

The first text message was sent in 1992 by a man named Neil Papworth. "What did the text read?" It was actually a sweet message that had typed out "Merry Christmas." to his friend by the name of Richard Jarvis. Then in 1993, Nokia released the first phone that could send a text message from anywhere. Later on in that year, an engineer by the name of Brennan Hayden sent the first commercial text that read "burp." It did not have any correlation with the human function, but instead he meant "birth," as in the birth of texting. 

Since then, all around the world SMS texting has been one of the most popular applications on the phone. Many people, like older generations, have some negative outlooks on texting. Some of those opinions are that it stops kids or teenagers from actually talking to each other, fostering social isolation, increasing risks of some disorders like ADHD, and much more. Even though those individuals see the dark, there are many others, like actual scientists that disagree. 

An article written on The Washington Post discusses that scientists have stated that texting can improve relationship with others and even help people with traumatic events. Numerous families or friends go a very long time without seeing each other in person or having time to talk on the phone, but texting makes it better for them to communicate on their own times and still have a connection. Even psychologists from the University at Berkley found that "sending and receiving text messages boosted texters' moods when they were feeling upset or lonely."

On the professional side of things, SMS texting has helped communities and jobs stay connected even when the day is over. They can send left over information, work with others while not being present in person.... the possibilities are endless. SMS texting has changed the way people communicate and share information, personally, only for the better. 

 

The Eight Values of Free Expression

 Blog post #3

                                         Free Expression and Speech

    Thankfully in our country, the United States, all of us are allowed free speech. This allows us to speak what is on our minds about a situation or a person. In other countries, numerous individuals have been killed or tortured because they said something that here, we would think is minor. Recently, our country has been divided more than ever before for countless reasons, but one main is politics. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party. People all over the country have spoken their opinions, and some have stayed silent for the fear they might get "cancelled" or lose their job.... 

Now you are probably wondering how; "how does politics connect to the eight values of free expression?" The eight values we have learned about are market place of ideas, participation in Self-Government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on Governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation, and protect dissent. Personally, I have feel that individual self-fulfillment and protect dissent connect with our world today more than any other values on the list. 

Individual self-fulfillment not only resides in political connection, but also to the individual themselves. The theory explains that free speech allows a person to create their own identity and figure out who they are inside, and not just who they are in the mirror. These past two years, I feel, numerous people have been coming out of their shells and expressing themselves for who they want to be and what they believe in. I have friends at home that are very public about what they stand for and who / what they believe in, and I also have friends that are very quiet and do not involve themselves in any conversations. Even then, you can still become your true self by who you surround yourself with and what you do with your life. Free speech allows you to say things whenever you feel comfortable. 

The second value I had brought up which is protect dissent, I feel, ties together with individual self-fulfillment and our world today. Just as I had mentioned prior, people are free to express what they feel, when they feel it, at whatever time. In many countries, you can get seriously harmed or even killed for saying anything negative towards their Government, but here in the United States, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Recently though in about the year 2020, many people were taken off social media for not agreeing with everything the Government, which was not "legal" to my understanding, but it happened. This country allows you to speak your mind, most of the time, which is why these two values I think related most to our nation today. 

SCOTUS History

 Blog post #2

                

                             Knowledge and history of the Supreme Court

        

 
The Supreme Court of the United States is the head of the judicial branch of government and was established by the U.S. Constitution. It is also the highest federal court in the country. The court currently has nine members on board that include Chief Justice John Roberts with associate justice's Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, and Clarence Thomas. All nine of these very intelligent, hard-working people have a lot on there plates in this position. While serving on this job, "the court.... has the power to check the actions of the other two branches of Government - the executive branch of the President and the legislative branch of Congress."

While reading on the history and today's news on the Supreme Court from a post created by the History channel on History.com, they had shared much information that I have never known about the Supreme Court. When they had their first meeting on February 2, 1790, the court only had six justices working. It was not also until there second term that they had received a case and handed down their first decision. Something surprising to me that I also did not know is that there are about 100 new cases every week and 7,000 of those cases every year go to the court. 

The most important takeaway in my opinion is how much power the members of the Supreme Court really has over the United States. Their impact to not only the United States, but the world on their decisions everyday is insane to me. SCOTUS has had numerous cases that have changed our nation for better and for worse. Some of the major cases assigned with the Supreme Court are Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, Dred Scott v. Sanford, and many more. Despite the fact that I do not agree or favor with everything that the Supreme Court has decided on, I am appreciative that we have positions with that much power for people who do deserve to stand there and make wise choices for our nation and people