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Final Blog Post

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  By now in 2023, 4.8 billion people use a form of social media . Many different media platforms are a part of our everyday lives. I, as well as many others, use social media daily to communicate. Much of Gen-Z, including myself, uses snapchat as a main form of communication. My life is consumed by media. Since we have access to everything we need in the palm of our hand, it makes it difficult not to. Nearly half of americans say they are addicted to their cell-phones. Although we don’t want to admit it, most of us in this room are in that same boat.  Technology is an amazing thing. I use it to keep track of my schedules, to keep in touch with people near and far, and it helps me stay connected to what’s happening around the world. I know I have a long digital footprint. I utilize just about every social media app. I think we should be able to enjoy and use these apps, however, they can be dangerous. One wrong post can get you immediately canceled, and could ruin your life. I’m very ca
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Living in the Age of AI

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 Artificial Intelligence has transformed the way technology is used. In the video we watched, I learned about the various ways AI is used, and how it's constantly evolving. I learned about how China and the US are constantly neck and neck when it comes to the evolution of technology. Although we have many issues, I think that the US is the greatest country in the world, and it's interesting that China is so close with us when it comes to technology. Probably because they can't compete with anything else. AI is honestly terrifying. It's absolutely fascinating and frightening knowing all of its capabilities. There are many pros and cons to AI, however.  AI systems can help the government and other organizations detect and prevent cyber attacks and data breaches, thereby ensuring better security. On social platforms and the internet, AI algorithms can help personalize user experiences. By analyzing user data, AI systems can deliver personalized recommendations, products,
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EOTO #2 - Spiral of Silence Theory

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   The Spiral of Silence theory, proposed by German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann in 1974, is a communication theory that seeks to explain how public opinion is formed and how individuals perceive social pressure to conform to dominant opinions. The theory suggests that people are hesitant to express their opinions when they believe those opinions are in the minority, and instead tend to remain silent in order to avoid potential social isolation or negative consequences. In contrast, people are more likely to vocalize their opinions when they believe their opinions are in line with the majority or perceived as socially acceptable. The theory is based on the premise that humans have an innate fear of social isolation and a strong desire to belong to a social group. When individuals perceive that their opinions deviate from what they believe to be the majority opinion, they may fear being ostracized, criticized, or punished for their divergent views. As a result, they are
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Diffusion Theory

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  Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory is a model used to explain how new ideas, products, or technologies are adopted and spread among individuals or groups. The theory was developed by Everett Rogers in 1962 and has been widely applied in various fields such as sociology, marketing, and technology adoption. The theory proposes that the adoption of new innovations occurs in a predictable pattern, with five stages of adoption. The first, a wareness, says individuals become aware of the existence of a new innovation and its potential benefits. Next is interest, when i ndividuals develop an interest in the innovation and begin to seek more information about it. Third is e valuation. Individuals evaluate the innovation, weighing the pros and cons, and deciding whether to adopt it. Next is t rial, when individuals try the innovation on a small scale to test its effectiveness and compatibility with their needs. Lastly, Adoption. That's when individuals fully adopt the innovation
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EOTO: What I Learned

  During the EOTO presentations, one invention really stuck out to me. The United States Postal Service has a long history that had never once crossed my mind, until the information was presented upon me. The US Postal Service was a monumental step for technology. I learned that Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general in 1917. According to Nicole Kelly, a fellow student in the class, " The only communication between the American Colonies was mail being transported by horseback riders on the old dirt roads. In 1775, three months after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which began the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin to establish a national post service as the first Postmaster General." In 1847, the first postage stamps were introduced, which allowed for prepayment of postage and helped to streamline the mailing process. The introduction of the telegraph in the mid-19th century also had an impact on the USPS, as i
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EOTO #1: Snapchat's History and Impact

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  Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after a short period of time. It was created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, and was initially released in September 2011. The history of Snapchat can be divided into several key milestones. In 2011, Snapchat was founded by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, who were students at Stanford University at the time. The idea for Snapchat came about as a way to share photos that would disappear after a short period of time, offering a more private and ephemeral form of communication. The app was initially called "Picaboo" and was released in July 2011. Later that year, the name was changed to Snapchat. In 2013, S napchat gained rapid popularity among young users, particularly teenagers and young adults, due to its unique features such as disappearing photos and videos, as well as creative filters and lenses. By 2013, Snapchat had already gained millions
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Eight Values of Free Expression

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  The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is a crucial cornerstone of American democracy that guarantees the freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and petition. The amendment's emergence and evolution are a testament to the country's commitment to protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms. The First Amendment was added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights, which was ratified by the states. The Bill of Rights was a response to concerns about the power of the federal government and its potential to infringe upon individual liberties. The First Amendment's provisions were designed to prevent the government from suppressing the expression of ideas and opinions that may be unpopular or controversial.  The First Amendment's evolution was shaped by various historical events and court cases that expanded its scope and interpretation. One of the earliest and most significant cases was the 1919 Supreme Court deci
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