Blog #3: TED Talk Reflection

The Internet Exposes Humans

The internet has made communication more convenient, but convenience does not ensure safety and privacy. Growing up, adults always advised me to be aware of what I post, search, share, and say on the Internet because it will stay with me forever. I find that many adolescents and young adults are vulnerable and must understand the importance of keeping their digital footprint clean from a young age. 

When one thinks they have full control and privacy when they are browsing, playing games, sharing location, or posting on the Internet, there may be many eyes or databases tracking what they are doing. In my opinion, we must inform younger generations of the precautions and safety tactics that need to be taken before using the Internet. 

Laws Beyond Borders

In his TED Talk, "Juan Enriquez encourages people to pay attention to what they are doing online because they are being tracked behind the scenes. Enriquez says, "How else can you threaten, other than death? An electronic tattoo." While some people may look past this and think it is just a theory Enriquez has, there is proof that Meta is tracking individuals web activity, violating their privacy and safety. Both Enriquez and Andy Yen, another TED Talk speaker, recognize that data and privacy will outlive humans. 

In our society, the word privacy has a new meaning because new generations are being taught to share everything online. I argue there should be government policies protecting our online privacy and safety. Internet has become the way people live their daily lives through communication. Privacy needs to become more accessible, not only in the United States but internationally. There are situations where people need to be protected beyond borders. 

Darieth Crisholm, a TV personality, experienced an unfortunate stalking case where her ex-boyfriend from Jamaica photographed and shared explicit photographs of her online. In her Ted Talk, she explained how the Internet is international and the government needs to enforce online safety laws beyond borders. I agree that our government in the United States needs to enhance our online privacy laws and expand these laws internationally. 

Protecting Ourselves

While generations are now being taught to share everything online, privacy needs to become more accessible. Most individuals have a wide variety of personal information online, but there are ways to prevent this. If individuals learn to keep their accounts private, to use different passwords for all accounts, to search with safe browsers, and to use encryption to protect e-mails, their online lives will be safer and more private. 

These TED Talk speakers shared many different reasons to take precautions online. Whether one is texting their friends, posting online, or working on a school assignment, there are databases tracking what individuals are doing online. It is time for individuals to start considering and researching how to protect their private information on the Internet. Ultimately, I believe future generations should be taught precautions to take online from a young age before it is too late. 

Blog #2: Key Post - Eight Values of Free Expression

The First Amendment and Free Expression

The First Amendment protects individuals right to pure speech and encourages individuals to participate in self-government. The Eight Values of Free Expression explore how individuals can use their First Amendment rights to express personal views, values, and opinions. Promote tolerance, number six, and promote innovation, number seven, resonated with my values because in the society we are living in today, individuals perspectives are widespread and creativity is heavily valued. 

As citizens of the United States, we all have our own sets of beliefs and values that emphasize the differences each individual has. I believe in the importance of expressing ourselves as creative individuals who are free to explore topics and establish our own perspective. 

Promote Tolerance

Tolerance does not mean that we have to agree with everything other individuals believe, but we must understand and acknowledge that everyone has a Constitutional right to say and believe what they want. In our society, I recognize that individuals often want to silence those who express their strong values that may be controversial. While I may not agree with many individuals perspectives, I argue that nobody should be silenced. 

Lee C. Bollinger, an attorney, educator, and former president of Columbia University, wrote both The Tolerant Society: Freedom of Speech and Extremist Speech and In Search of an Open Mind to express his views on tolerance and the First Amendment. Bollinger recognizes that humans have a natural instinct to be intolerant towards people who have opposing views by trying to silence them. 

In his Bollinger's most recent book, In Search of an Open Mind (2024), he encourages people to have an open mind by suspending their beliefs to build self-control and tolerate others beliefs. 

I am enlightened by Bollinger's perspective because the concept of having an open mind, especially with politics, allows individuals to expand their knowledge on other beliefs outside of their own and have a more diverse mindset. In my life, I have found that when I actively listen to others express their beliefs without judging them, I am able to reflect on and understand where they are coming from rather than shutting them down or arguing with them. 

If individuals learn the importance of tolerance and having an open mind, we as a society can learn the importance of the First Amendment and how understanding diverse beliefs can unite us. Ultimately, there is unity through tolerance. 

Promote Innovation

Living in the United States, where the First Amendment allows  people to freely express new ideas and explore unique areas of research, encourages us to be more innovative. I am beyond grateful to live in a country where all citizens have creative freedom to help promote innovation. 

Over the past few years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has developed immensely in the United States, which has transformed society. In many instances, AI has many risks that impact American citizen's ability to be innovative. 

The Daily Economy addresses how President Trump believes there need to be federal regulations for AI, ensuring uniformity across all states. This article also recognizes that AI is out of our control as citizens and we have to learn to live and grow with AI. I agree with this article because I trust that AI is not going anywhere, and if we can learn how to use AI effectively and properly, than we can become more innovative.

We must not fear artificial intelligence. Instead, we should have confidence and trust in our First Amendment rights that give us the ability to be innovative.

Conclusion

We must protect our First Amendment right in the United States by promoting tolerance and innovation. Promoting tolerance allows individuals to approach interpersonal conversations, meetings, social media posts, and classes with an open mind by listening and understanding to what others have to say without silencing them. Promoting innovation encourages citizens to start creating and developing ideas beyond AI. We should all be grateful for the ability we have to promote the First Amendment using the Eight Values of Free Expression.

Blog #1: Top 5 Sources of News

1. TikTok

TikTok has an algorithm that adheres directly to a user's personal interests. When I am scrolling on TikTok, news that I find interesting is often part of my algorithm. I enjoy when influencers and other users on TikTok share news because it allows me to watch videos and listen to different perspectives of the information being provided. This app has become increasingly popular especially among Generation Z, so I find there are many credible and interesting sources and individuals to learn news from. 

2: Google

Google is a great for news because it finds stories from many sources in seconds. I also love that Google has Google Scholar for finding peer-reviewed, scholarly sources for school assignments and academic research. YouTube is also connected to Google, which is great for watching news, so I can listen to news instead of reading. I often use Google when I need to do a quick search or need detailed information from multiple sources.

3. ESPN

I have the ESPN app on my phone with my favorite teams saved so I can receive live game updates and information on the team through a notification on my phone. ESPN gives their audience access to many collegiate and professional sports, providing outlets to read stories, follow along with play-by-play during games, and watch broadcasts. As someone who loves watching NCAA men's basketball, baseball, and women's volleyball I love to stay up to date with ESPN news. This is a great news source for sports lovers.

4. Messages from Family

My family loves to send news updates in our family iMessage group chat. From sports to politics to local news, my family group chat talks about a variety of topics. Whenever I see something interesting on social media or learn about something in my classes, I send it to my family group chat to get their opinions and understand their perspective. My dad loves to send updates on Carolina Basketball and the Atlanta Braves, so there are a lot of conversations regarding sports news in our family. Also, my mom and older brother have high interest in sports betting. If I have not already learned news from TikTok, Google, or ESPN, I know that my family will probably send something in the group chat. I love being able to have conversations with my family about what is trending or happening in the world. 

5. The New York Times

While I would not first go to The New York Times for news, I do like to play games through their app and will often come across news stories. I also like that The New York Times has many different columns because I enjoy reading articles from The Athletic when I have to find sources for my sports media classes. Over the years, I have found The New York York times to be a highly credible news source when using it for content analyses. I would recommend to people who like to play Wordle and Connections to read a story or two each day because they are often interesting.