Podcast 2

PODCAST 2

COM 340 Fourth Post: Online Privacy

The possibility of anonymity online is quickly trickling down, as privacy features are becoming more and more nonexistent. According to CNNMoney, the government is “spying” on its own citizens' online activities (Pagliery, 2013).  The National Security Agency has access to just about every private conversation, viewed history and infinite number of posts online. Even the Tor network, the internet that is beyond the internet and the most secretive way to browse the Web, can be seen by the NSA.

Does this really come as a surprise? The internet is a free book of public records, holding a much higher mass of private information. The ability to remain faceless is almost impossible. Even Facebook, the number one social networking site, has axed its privacy setting that allowed people to hide their profiles from other users in the search bar (Wallace, 2013). Yet, the internet continues to reign as a means to communicate. Beyond that, now the government sees it all. “The U.S. government issues frequent, secret demands for customer data from telecommunications companies (Pagliery, 2013).” As discussed in class, search engines like Google, MSN and Yahoo would share private information if asked by higher authorities. 

Do people care? Do they even know? Privacy is strength to those looking for careers or attempting to hold a strong reputation or even just to stay safe. Knowing the government is eyeing each and every citizen online may change the direction in communication and keep private issues outside of the screens.

Looking towards the future, passed all the third party cookies and the “secure” hyper text transfer protocols, the internet is a complete surveillance camera. The options for society are very limited, as stated by the article. “There's still a benefit to guarding yourself with a network like Tor (Pagliery, 2013).”  Tor users can only be shut down one by one instead of large groups; however, even the Tor network has the ability to be found. If users slowly log off the internet, the World Wide Web could lose it popularity. The Web will never overpower the means of face-to-face conversing. The oldest method for communicating may be the most effective (and private). Luckily, in a continuously changing society, the Web is not always a credible source for such information. A study conducted showed that at least 13% of users provide false information about themselves online. Real or fake, the government is watching and online privacy is slipping down the drain. 

COM 340 Third Post: Warfare in Digital Age

Cyber war continues to have a strong impact on the changes in society.  Syria, after already having been threatened by the United States, attempts a series of hacking techniques to try to sabotage major U.S. websites.  Through the use of equipment disruption, Syrian Electronic Army knocked down websites including New York Times, Huffington Post and Twitter. As stated by U.S. Today, this disruption to the media outlets dealt out by the Syrian Electronic Army, could potentially lead to warfare in the digital age.

The technical capabilities of surrounding countries is proof that cyber war can be a threat.  Technology serves as a main basis for communicating and without the internet, it is hard to picture where the world would be without it. Knowing that there are ways and maneuvers to shutting down major websites opens an opportunity to crash a plethora of other electronic areas, such as traffic lights and electricity companies.  This threat should be something to think about. Technology will have to advance in order to secure the World Wide Web.  Stronger passwords, codes, and blockages are needed just to help bond the protection of the United States and any other places that are being violated.  Although the option of attacking Syria with real missiles seems to scare, the U.S. cannot deny the affect of websites being intruded upon.  Syria can see everything that is done, and also post any information they wish, giving them an advantage of gaining an audience that is beyond Russia.  Killing off Syrians is a possibility, but how will that stop people from talking, spreading rumors and beginning more fights across the globe online? The U.S. can potentially lose the most efficient way of communicating because the internet will be full of incredible information.

The internet is always changing, whether people know it or not. Social networks continue to grow, fads come and go. The web will never be the same; however, it could be worse if the Syrian Electronic Army shut down not just some, but the majority of important U.S. websites. The internet, first of all, would never be credible. What is true and what is not? If Syria is uploading information about the attacks on websites like New York Times and The Huffington Post, what should society believe to be moral? Secondly, without major social networking site security, hacking would be a constant struggle to deal with. No one would want to be online, and if they were, discussions would be all but settling. Information coming from anywhere could bring up fights and arguments, which could potentially become public. Although the web is never the same, cyber war has the effect to change the web and the users who believe everything they see.

COM 340 Second Post: Digital Divide

Comcast strives to close the gap between those with and without broadband services in their homes, otherwise known as the digital divide.  Internet Essentials is a national program created by Comcast that is offered to families (with at least one child) to connect to the internet in their homes.  This National School Lunch Program has enrolled over 70,000 families to participate in the last six months.

Education is changing due to the increasing use of technology. For many families, obtaining the internet in their own home is not an option.  Without the availability, children fall behind in the knowledge and understanding of new media. “Getting connected has become essential for everyday tasks for families, like doing homework and research, using social media, and paying bills” (Cohen, 2013). For those who have children, Internet Essentials can supply the basic information needed for students in the comfort of their home. Participating in this program will increase the number of younger members of the generation involved with the media and begin to close the digital divide. With other broadband providers considering offering this service, online connection becomes more imperative to have. Internet Essentials is a free service to low-income families, something that is not often provided. Why not take advantage of this? As a student who participated in a reduced lunch program, I would have felt the need to sign up for the program in case I ever needed it. People should absolutely use Internet Essentials in order to allow their children (and themselves) to remain on track with today’s technology. Internet Essentials can potentially be closing of the digital divide, and become the leading cause of mandatory internet access.

A service such as Internet Essentials can change the World Wide Web for the better. By offering free internet to those in need, Internet Essentials can support net neutrality. Each family would need to learn the same information as those who have access, so by honoring net neutrality, everyone would continue to have equal services. I personally feel that students should use the web to their advantage throughout their education. The internet can be a motivation to learn because it possesses so much information. Without it, the digital divide would continue to separate those with more knowledge, than those who cannot live up to today’s expectations. Students using Internet Essentials, whether they attend public or private school or are even home-schooled, can affect how education may become completely digital, changing the internet as more of a means for learning, not just communicating. People that seek to have access help close the digital divide and open more opportunities for success. 

Podcast 1

PODCAST 1

COM 340 First Post: Online Identity

The confusion rises about whether or not 22-year-old Matthew Cordle is guilty of vehicular homicide due to drinking and driving. After uploading a video confessing his actions, Franklin County grand jury faces a decision based off of online identity. The viral video also includes Cordle’s plea towards discouraging drinking and driving. With a click of a “record” button, Cordle leaves the jury to ask: genuine sincerity or creative tactic?

People have used the internet as an excuse to change their entire character. Hidden behind a screen, one never thinks about the consequences that can occur when using online identity. For Matthew Cordle, his viral confession landed him a twisted state. Without truly knowing if his confession was sincere or played, his sentence has affected the public in many ways. As discussed in class, one's true character is portrayed by both thier ascribed and reflexive identity. Matthew’s actions determine what millions of others think about him. Based on this ordeal, people may feel more positively about using the internet to strengthen ones confidence; however, it can also turn heads in another direction. Users may feel the need to use the web in order to hide any evidence of who they are in reality.  In saying that, I believe that one-on-one communication is necessary, because although the technology of information processing has expanded greatly, it is imperative that specific information is discussed personally in order to comprehend an individual’s feelings and emotions. No computer can calculate that. I think that people should use this story as a way of understanding what it means to be who you really are. Maybe not confess to killing a man, but knowing when and where to discuss appropriate information between acquaintances and personal relations.

The World Wide Web can be both rewarding and dangerous. Depending on how one uses the technology, the internet can always come back to bite. Looking back on the article, Matthew Cordle found that although he had many people on his side, he still confused a lot of viewers to think about what is going on within their home computers. As discussed in class, Catfish, the MTV television series, is a perfect example of why one-on-one communication can determine the truth. Throughout the show, more and more young adults are learning the consequences of online identity, and not the easy way. As someone who has seen episodes, I can say that I have learned to think before I “comment” on others’ sites, knowing that I cannot judge a book by, well, its online identity.  From confession videos to fake profiles, the World Wide Web is continuously changing. Without any rules or regulations people are entitled to their own opinion and because of that, online identity will reign. I believe that whether someone is afraid, lonely or compulsively lies, the internet will always be the place to hide.