Unit Three Reflection 4/28/2016

For my Unit Three project, I chose to use PowerPoint as my medium. I felt that this would be the most effective way to present my material because it had a lot of block information that could easily be broken up into slides. I also chose to narrate my PowerPoint through an online recording program to help accompany and explain my thought process through my slides. My discussion revolved around internet privacy and how the rapidly changing modern world is changing how the public's personal information is kept and used. I felt that this medium was appropriate for my audience due to the fact that it could easily be posted throughout the internet whether it be on blogger or even Reddit. With my voice being recorded as well, it allowed for more depth to the slides as well as my own perspective on the information presented.

One comment that really influenced my writing came from my classmate Justine Hayes. She wrote on my Unit Two portfolio that "You really supported your thesis thoroughly with many sources. Only thing I would say is maybe focus in more on specific sources. It's easy to find a bunch of sources that agree with what you're saying, but it's better to really nitpick at fewer sources and analyze them deeper". I agreed with what she had to say regarding how just because I have many sources that support my claim, it does not necessarily strengthen the claim. For this Unit I focused on more direct sources that allowed for more in depth discussion and dissection. Many of my sources tend to be from direct privacy policies. These policies from many major internet corporations allowed for a further look at the details usually skimmed over by the public and even myself. It was interesting to compare and contrast these policies from site to site. 

My target audience focused mainly on the public who use the internet along with many of these big name corporations involved in processing our personal information. I reached out to Apple regarding how they interact with the government requests for personal information but failed to receive a response back. I also reached out to the users of Reddit to help get a better idea of how the public views modern privacy and if they are informed about the current situation. This was very successful and allowed me to get a contrast between how users felt there is a very fine balance between security and privacy in the digital age. It helped to raise points such that information being collected can be used in the interest's of national security but at the same time there is too much information being collected just for the sake of it. My pitch at first was a really anti-establishment presentation on how the government is collecting all of this data without any warrant to it. However as I learned more about the subject, I felt it loosened from that grip and focused more on how the everyday user can be better informed about their personal information over the internet and how to better protect it. 

Ideally I would have liked my audience to take a proactive approach that would lead to more open dialogue between companies, the public and even the government. However, the situation is much more complicated than I anticipated. This makes it very hard for an everyday user of the internet to form a solid opinion and argument as to how their privacy should be handled. 

Unit 3 Portfolio 4/28/2016

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By1Kzz8H6GrUVUNlbWtacHVlbzQ/view?usp=sharing

Unit Three Presentation as a PDF

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0F1238ooDvw

Audio recording to accompany Presenation

4/14/2016 Graphic Novel Reflection

During my time at the library, I choose to pick a graphic novel titled "Horror Comics The Illustrated History". While this may not have been a typical graphic novel, it appealed to me due to the colorful and rich graphics contained within the book. The book looked at different horror comics and how they evolved through time. One thing I found very interesting was the color design of older comics versus newer generation comics. Also another interesting point of discussion was the change in content as the years progressed. As time grew, the villains and the perception of what is scary changed as well. Reading my graphic novel was much easier than a standard novel. One thing I liked about it was the fact that the graphics contained helped to advance the argument of the book while at the same time breaking up the large amount of information presented at the same time. I would have liked to have seen the novel incorporate more sources of information and go into more detail regarding the comics presented. Overall, the graphic novel was a fun piece of literature to read. This helped to spark an interest in continuing the book outside of class purposes.

4/7 Reflection on movie review

In the documentary "Sur le chemin de l'ecole" also known as "On the Way to School", the director Pascal Plisson explores the journey of three differing adolescents have to make in order to get an education. The film explores unique cultures and locations that include Kenya, Morocco, and India in order to gain a better understanding and perspective on everyday life for these children. In a film review by Maria Hengeveld on a popular site africasacountry.com, she argues the theme of "the value of education and raise questions about the roots of inequality and justice." Throughout her review, she keeps a positive image of the movie and its themes. During her discussion, she emphasizes the audience she believes this movie was targeted to. Middle class and western students are the main target audience she believes and states "the documentary prompts Western children to reflect on two types of relationships: between luck and misfortune, and between school and knowledge. What they’re expected to take away from the film, or so it seems, is a heightened awareness of their own entitlements and mentalities, and to juxtapose these against the tribulations, obstacles and values of the protagonists". One thing the review failed to mention were the issues the movie had. One of the main problems with the documentary was the obvious staging of some of the events. This drew away from the legitimacy of the film. By staging certain events, it leads the viewer to doubt some points of the message. An important aspect of a film review is an unbiased approach to looking at the movie's positive and negative portions.

http://africasacountry.com/2015/02/film-review-on-the-way-to-school/

Unit 2 Reflection 3/29/2016

            My unit two project was a controversial discussion on whether or not the government has been infringing and taking advantage of the public’s digital information. I chose this topic because I felt it will become an increasingly diverse and important discussion in the world. I feel very passionate about this issue as I have grown up in the technological boom and have always been interested in the direction it will take us as a country and world.  With a major focus on preventing violent attacks and making sure the general population is protected, privacy rights can be overlooked and it is important to keep tabs on the collection and methods of data usage.

 I choose to pitch this information to general public and private companies that are involved in the information and technology world. One specific company that was targeted was Apple. This was because they have seen an increase in media coverage regarding their legal battle with the United States government over unlocking a phone and giving the government power to unlock more in the future. They have become to set a precedent as to how private companies will respond to government demands in terms of personal data. A second source I felt would provide a diverse opinion on the issue would be Reddit. This online community has been on the forefront of the internet and would provide to be a great resource due to its large and diverse user base.

Pitching this information was difficult due to the immense amount of research needed to make an informed decision about what is happening behind the scenes in many of the areas of technology and privacy. In my original pitch posted to my blog, it was difficult to draw my reader’s in according to their comments left on my blog. Since this can be a very in-depth discussion, it was not easy to portray the exact direction I wanted my project to go in such short paragraphs. My primary research consisted of a Reddit post asking the users how they felt the government was doing in terms of protecting personal privacy but at the same time ensuring there is data to be used to benefit society. It is very easy for this conversation to take a political tone and as a result many of the responses were political in nature and would not be appropriate for the scholarly theme I wanted to be present in discussion. I also reached out to Apple regarding their views on privacy. I received a response but it seemed to be a generated automatic reply that directed me back to their updated privacy page.

In order to make my discussion more appealing to both sides of the argument I choose to try and take a more factual approach to my presentation. However after reviewing my work, I can see hints of my personal bias as well as potential bias from my sources. I tried to choose sources that provided a non-biased argument to the direction privacy rights are going. One thing I noticed in choosing online sources about this type of discussion is that many of the websites are pro personal privacy.  I found myself wary of many sites and took more time than I thought attempting to locate quality sources. I found the best quotes to be directly off the websites of many private companies and their privacy policies. The information was not easy to analyze. Privacy policies and many of the surrounding legislature that is presented is lengthy and in depth.  I spent most of the time attempting to decipher what changes have taken place in terms legislature regarding privacy policies within the United States since the major leak from Edward Snowden.

One of the most difficult parts of this project was taking different events that occurred and led to changes in privacy policies and presenting them in a non-political way.  Unfortunately, many privacy discussions only arose after terrorist attacks or other controversial subjects. 

Unit 2 Project 3/29/2016

“What the government wants is something they never had before. They want total awareness. The question is, is that something we should be allowing?” In a world where technology is increasing at an exponential rate, the amount of personal privacy is decreasing just as quickly. For many it can be seen as a necessary measure to ensure the safety of the public where all forms of terrorism are on the front of many nations’ minds. In such a broad technological world, drawing a line between collecting information for the safety of the public versus drawing information only to have collect is not an easy one. This gray area where governments feel the need to have information that is needed but doesn’t infringe on personal rights in the process is very important in the direction of personal freedom.

Edward Snowden, a former member of the Central Intelligence Agency for the United States of America, has two distinct portrayals in the media for his disclosure of information on the tactics and methods the United States government uses in everyday operation. In some eyes, he has been transformed into an internet cult sensation that has been a hero in the fight for personal privacy. A quick Google search yields an official White House petition yielding over 160,000 signatures that states “Edward Snowden is a national hero and should be immediately issued a full, free, and absolute pardon for any crimes he has committed or may have committed”. However, not everyone shares this opinion. Words like coward and even traitor have been used by the media. In order to understand this polarizing divide in opinion, it is necessary to look back on the timeline that brought Edward Snowden into infamy.

In April 2013, a PowerPoint presentation was leaked to the media. Contained in the slides of the PowerPoint were details of a massive data collection led by the United States that had been backed by many large big name internet companies.  Data stated that the NSA collected nearly 3 billion pieces of intelligence inside the U.S. in February 2013 alone. It explained how the number one source of data, Prism, was able to provide the government with information ranging from E-mail, chat with video and voice capability, videos, photos, shared data, File transfers even a bolded statement stating “Special Requests”. Even more disturbing, many trusted companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo, and even Apple were the major providers of many of this information. It was not until June 9^th, 2013 when Edward Snowden’s identity became public. At this point in his life, he was believed hiding in Hong Kong or Russia.

During this time, information and privacy became a major topic of debate in the media. Immediately, the government agencies took this disclosure of data as a major national security issue. Only a short time later in June 14, 2013, Snowden was charged by the United States Justice Department with “unauthorized communication of national defense information” and “willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person”. Edward Snowden was now a criminal in the eyes of the United States Government.

Edward Snowden was only a precursor to the future of privacy debates in America. Despite potentially putting armed service men at risk through his leaks on classified data, which was a major focus in the media, he created a shift in public thought and sparked discussion on to what extent the government should be in our technological lives. However there is a larger problem than simply data collection.

One of the main points of discussion in pro privacy groups is how the information is actually handled. In the September of 2012, the United States embassy in Benghazi, Libya was attacked by terrorists. During this numerous Americans lost their lives, including the United States Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens. Initially reported through the state department and media as backlash from an Anti-Muslim video circulating the internet, information came out that it was possibly a premeditated attack. As time passed, more information was released that showed that the government may have had information and data to suggest a possible upcoming terrorist attack but failed to act on it. As a result, the government used the video as a scapegoat for its failure to respond with more security and protection for the Ambassador.

The public needs to be able to understand and recognize what rights their government has in their personal lives. Currently it is becoming increasingly more difficult to understand and grasp the changes in data privacy that are occurring. In a recent interview with Edward Snowden, he described the changes by saying “Many of the changes that are happening are invisible because they’re happening at the engineering level. Google encrypted the backhaul communications between their data centers to prevent passive monitoring.” To many this would be seen as technological garble but to Snowden these are small steps in the road to privacy. Does the government really need that information?

 On May 13, 2015, the House of Representatives passed the USA Freedom Act by a vote if 338-88. Shortly after, President Obama signed the bill into law on June 2, 2015. According to the Judiciary Committee, the bill ends and prohibits bulk collection of all records under Section 215 of the Patriot Act, prevents government overreach and allows for the challenges of national security letter gag orders. This was considered one of the major laws regarding collection of data in the United States. The law was met with mixed reviews.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky stated "I cannot support passage of the so-called USA Freedom Act," he said. "It does not enhance the privacy protections of American citizens, and it surely undermines American security by taking one more tool from our war fighters, in my view, at exactly the wrong time." On the other side of the conversation, ACLU deputy legal director Jameel Jaffer said in a statement. "This is the most important surveillance reform bill since 1978, and its passage is an indication that Americans are no longer willing to give the intelligence agencies a blank check” What exactly did this bill do in terms of surveillance reform?

In terms of protection of privacy for the everyday American, it did not do much. The government still can access your data with little to no restriction. Despite this, private companies are becoming more aware and conscious of data and the importance of privacy. One of the newest developments in privacy came just very recently, after another terrorist attack took place on American soil. On December 2^nd, 2015 an attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California left 14 people killed and 22 seriously injured. This was the result of a mass shooting an attempting bombing by a married couple, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik. This couple had been living in the area for some time and had been described by the FBI as “radicalized over time”. The husband had posted and committed to jihadism through private messages over the internet. Out of this horrific tragedy came a new direction in the role of government and privacy.

Apple, one of the most influential private companies in the world and producer of the iPhone, became engaged in a legal debate regarding a recovered phone from one of the terrorists. In an attempt to gain more information about the attack, the government reached out to Apple in order to help unlock the phone. The phone, which was encrypted preventing data from being recovered, was only able to be unlocked by Apple. Apple refused stating that they could not undermine the security of the applications and that a government had never set a precedent for such actions. As a result, Apple opposed the order and faced a judge issued court order to unlock the phone.

Eventually, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was able to unlock the phone through backdoor methods through collaboration with third parties. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook released a statement on their view on privacy stating “Finally, I want to be absolutely clear that we have never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services. We have also never allowed access to our servers. And we never will.” This is a very important change in policy from private companies. From the start of the modern technological age, private companies have for the most part been on board with the decisions governments have made in terms of what is best for the public and how their data is handled. This strong stance against the demands made by the United States government have set a precedent that supports the personal user’s privacy more than the governments need for their information.

Many private companies are beginning to emphasize their privacy policies in order to have a more open conversation with the public in terms of their methods of collecting data and how they use them. Microsoft recently changed their privacy policy to further clarify how they use your personal data. It states “Microsoft uses the data we collect to provide you the services we offer, which includes using data to improve and personalize your experiences. We also may use the data to communicate with you, for example, informing you about your account, security updates and product information. And we use data to help make the ads we show you more relevant to you. However, we do not use what you say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files to target ads to you.” This is a stark change since the first discussion of Microsoft in their role with Edward Snowden and the Prism collection program. Their policy goes on to say that they do share your data as well. However there are undoubtedly changes that still need to be made. Yahoo’s privacy policy states “Your personal information may be transferred to countries other than your own to process and store data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and to provide you with products and services. Some of these countries may not have the same data protection safeguards as the country where you reside”. This does not appear to be a very good way to ensure data is protected.

In the end, one of the major keys to developing and protecting privacy rights stems from knowledge of what information is being collected, to what extent, and how it is being used. In a world where increased technology allows for more information to be delivered faster than ever it is essential that is it moderated. With this moderation comes responsibility however, and in order to maintain a line between safety and privacy an open discussion between the public, government and private companies must remain the first priority. 

References

"A Timeline Of Edward Snowden's Life". Washington Post. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

"NSA Surveillance Reform Bill Now Law". Cbsnews.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

"Pardon Edward Snowden | We The People: Your Voice In Our Government". Petitions.whitehouse.gov. N.p., 2013. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

"USA Freedom Act Archives - House Judiciary Committee". House Judiciary Committee. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

Cole, Matthew, and Mike Brunker. NBC News. N.p., 2014. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

Gellman, Barton. "Edward Snowden, After Months Of NSA Revelations, Says His Mission’S Accomplished". Washington Post. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.

Partial Project 2 Entry 3/10

Apple, one of the most influential private companies in the world and producer of the iPhone, became engaged in a legal debate regarding a recovered phone from one of the terrorists. In an attempt to gain more information about the attack, the government reached out to Apple in order to help unlock the phone. The phone, which was encrypted preventing data from being recovered, was only able to be unlocked by Apple. Apple refused stating that they could not undermine the security of the applications and that a government had never set a precedent for such actions. As a result, Apple opposed the order and faced a judge issued court order to unlock the phone.

Eventually, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was able to unlock the phone through backdoor methods through collaboration with third parties. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook released a statement on their view on privacy stating “Finally, I want to be absolutely clear that we have never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services. We have also never allowed access to our servers. And we never will.” This is a very important change in policy from private companies. From the start of the modern technological age, private companies have for the most part been on board with the decisions governments have made in terms of what is best for the public and how their data is handled. This strong stance against the demands made by the United States government have set a precedent that supports the personal user’s privacy more than the governments need for their information.

Pitch for Project 2 3/3

How do you feel knowing that the government has the ability to listen in on your calls, read your text messages, and even use your phones GPS as a way to keep track of where you are? Sounds like George Orwell's Novel, 1984. However right now, all over the United States groups are focused on protecting your rights to your digital information. Currently, Apple is locked a strong legal battle with our own Federal Bureau of Investigation. One must become educated in the ways to understand and protect your right to personal privacy and freedom.


One method I would find very effective is utilizing social media and online message boards. One unique way that could reach out to a very large social group is reddit through the commonly used "Writing Prompt" section which could come up with very broad ideas. Also Apple's online forums could be reached out to for information as well. I did both.

Personal History with the Library 3/8

The library has been a great source knowledge. My relationship with the library started early. I only lived about ten blocks from my public library in my hometown of Agawam, Massachusetts. This provided numerous opportunities for me to get away for a while and spend time with computers which I did not have at home until years later. My very first moments on the internet were spent at my local library and were a defining moment in my development. I spent many hours also playing chess at my local library with some friends after school. When I reached high school I spent more time at my high school's library rather than my public one. It was a great meeting spot for many of my friends. We shared numerous stories and studied very hard. Everyone who had studied with me in the library in my high school had ended up being accepted to a college. That was a very inspiring time for me because it really led me to find who I wanted to be associated with and how my habits affect my future. One thing I would like to change is the amount of reading I do. As I was writing this and reminiscing about the past, I realized a sharp drop in the amount of book reading I do. I used to be very involved with exploring new genres through my public library. As I reached highschool and beyond I began to fall away from this.

3 potential research questions 3/1/2016

Does texting, cell phones, and social media affect relationships?

Should our government be able to access our technology?

What is the most important new technology for solving world problems?

When asking other people my potential research questions, I first prioritized making the questions as unbiased as possible. I did not want the wording or way it was phrased to point my questionnaire into a certain direction. In terms of the types of engagement I received, I found that question one received the most in depth and lengthy responses while question two and three typically received short one word answers. This was helpful to me because it showed me that the best questions are ones that can be explored further and lead to a deeper discussion. On the other hand, questions like two and three which received typically yes or no responses or one word responses, did not present the type of responses I was looking for. I did not change my questions wording, working or appearance much as it may change the direction of the question. Question one was designed to focus mainly on relationships and how they may be influenced depending on the person's level of involvement with social media and cell phones. My second question, was to see how much people agreed with having the government involved in their technological lives and how it relates to modern times especially with the major Apple case being resolved in the news now. Finally, the last question was meant to explore how technology is shaping the world around us and how it is being used to combat social problems. Despite the potential for open discussion, this question generated many one word responses such as cell phones. This was not helpful to my research. 

Four Critical Summaries due 2/18/2016

Critical Summary 1 : The Flight From Conversation by Sherry Turkle

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-conversation.html?_r=0

Flashpoint: "if we don't teach our children to be alone, they will know only how to be lonely"

       In Sherry Turkle's April 21st 2012 article "The Flight From Conversation", she addresses the technological advancement of communication that she believes "sacrificed conversation for mere connection". Sherry provides a background of how over the past 15 years she has spent time talking to "hundreds of people of all ages and circumstances about their plugged-in lives". Turkle brings attention to the fact that in the modern age of communication, people choose what they desire to focus their attention on. Turkle suggests that human connections are depleting for a wider technological connection. This change is seen from the workplace environment to college campuses.
       One of the article's main points of emphasis is that with an increase in technological communication, we lose the ability "tend to one another". She expands on this by saying how face to face conversation "can attend to tone and nuance. In conversation, we are called upon to see things from another's point of view". In texting or email, conversations and messages tend to be direct and short. This does not allow one to truly self-reflect from conversation. She argues that one of the most important aspects of face to face conversation is the ability to self-reflect in order to gain a deeper meaning from conversation. When shortchanging each other through text messages or a Facebook message, the only thing gained is a connection not a true reflection.
         Finally, one of the last major points Sherry Turkle tries to make is that technology is becoming a replacement for companionship. With growing artificial intelligence that can produce conversation with realistic responses, humans are growing attached to this artificial comfort. She argues that eve with constant connection, humans will be lonely. She claims that "if we don't teach our children to be alone, they will know only how to be lonely". With children getting phones and iPads as early as middle school or below, this could be a growing problem in the future. Throughout the article I generally agreed with all the major points that she addressed throughout. As a college student, I find myself frustrated with the lack of opportunity for conversation due to the fact that so many of my peers find themselves glued to their technology. Unfortunately, technology is only becoming more immersive as we move forward into the future which brings up thoughts of direct conversation becoming eventually extinct. This is a scary thought for the future in the present.

Critical Summary 2 : 21st Century Dating : Is Traditional Romance Dead?

http://www.collegemagazine.com/21st-century-dating-traditional-romance-dead/

Flashpoint:  "lazy,entitled, confused, and addicted to instant gratification"

       In Tamiera Vandegrift's November 12th 2015 article titled "21st Century Dating : Is Traditional Romance Dead?", she begins to explore the way dating and relationships have changed and evolved dramatically with the new generation of millennials. Recalling what dating was like back in the 1950's, she describes a typical date night that involved going out to a drive in movie and even introducing each other's parents. This idea is very foreign to young people, college students especially. She claims that "older generations says millennials are "lazy,entitled, confused, and addicted to instant gratification". I can see a lot of truth with this statement. With new technology advancing right before our eyes, it is easy to see why my generation is used to having things instantly. When you need to look something up, a simple google search will yield more than you likely needed to know. When it comes to dating or meeting new people, phone applications like tinder allow you to "swipe right" and potentially be available for an immediate match and conversation with the opposite sex. It seems that the majority of younger men and women have this idea of wanting to meet as many people as possible, quickly as possible. Another factor I believe that comes into play here is that many people at my age are coming out of long term relationships or are still trying to define themselves. These two factors would lead to people not wanting to set themselves up for a relationship when they feel it is not the right time in their life for one.
      However this is not the case for everyone. Many people still hold out for the right relationship and partner despite being pressured by friends or peers to "play the field" or see how there are "other fish in the sea". One student at Florida State University claimed that our generation is not actually against relationships, it is just rather that we are so exposed to different social media that we are very publicized. When she said this, I believe that she meant that due to social media and our constant connections through technology, we are more focused on individualistic advancement rather than a focus on partnership. I found this article to be very true to the thoughts and ideas many of my peers have shared with me. The author did a good job at presenting both older generation's and today's youths opinions as well. One thing I would have liked to have seen more of was when this shift in dating and relationships began to change.

Critical Summary 3 : The Makeup Tax

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/08/the-makeup-tax/400478/?utm_source=SFFB

Flashpoint: "Years of research has shown that attractive people earn more. Thus the Makeup Tax,: Good-looking men and good-looking women both get ahead, but men aren't expected to wear make up in order to look good".

     In Olga Kazan's August 5th 2015 article titled "The Makeup Tax", she explores a very disturbing double standard in today's society. Beauty is a major factor in how women are perceived in the workplace and outside in society. The beauty industry is one that nets over 60 billion dollars annually. A personal finance site claimed that women will spend over $15,000 in their lifetime on beauty products. This made me think of the underlying factors beneath this spending. I know that some women enjoy doing makeup and the whole process of "beautifying" ones self. However, there has to be more to it than meets the eye. As a man, I am aware of my personal hygiene and grooming but I do not think it can be related to the extent that modern women have to endure. In a society that is fighting for equal rights, pay and opportunities that all women should be entitled to, beauty has almost become intertwined with a women's worth. That should not be the case. A powerful quote from the article stated "Years of research has shown that attractive people earn more. Thus the Makeup Tax,: Good-looking men and good-looking women both get ahead, but men aren't expected to wear make up in order to look good".
    Unfortunately, beauty discrimination extends further than that. Typically, men tip better when women are wearing makeup and even prestigious jobs tend to go to women in makeup over women without any. I found this article to be very informative due to a different gender perspective. As a male, it is tough to be made aware of social issues many women face daily because I do not face the same problems. The author did a good job at describing many of the social problems and even offered a solution without pointing any fingers at who is to blame. I thought the author's use of statistics strengthened her arguments and provided a good backdrop to future thoughts. One way I felt the way the author could have strengthened her article would be through the use of personal stories and reflections from women that have tried to go against the standard and how it has affected their lifestyle.

Critical Summary 4:  Tame Impala music video

Flashpoint : 
"It's always around me, all this noise
But not really as loud as the voice sayingLet it happen, let it happen (It's gonna feel so good)"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFptt7Cargc

    In Tame Impala's music video titled "Let It Happen" the music group explores the idea of going through life without reserve and finding ones self so that they are not influenced by the outside noise and distractions in life. The group uses a man in the music video who is in a rush throughout the entire duration of the video. It appears as if the man is paranoid and has lost track of where he is in his life. I believe this is symbolic of his journey through life as he tries to find himself. One of the main climaxes of the music video is when the man finds himself strapped into a seat on a plane that begins to disintegrate before him. I believe that when this occurs it is used to symbolize the man's journey to his destination. However when the plane begins to disassemble, it is used to show that life's journey is not always straight forward and it can be a rough ride at times. 
    To accompany the music video, the lyrics help parallel the major themes throughout. One of the main chorus features the lyrics "I heard about a whirlwind that's coming 'round.It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound. And when it happens, when it happens (I'm gonna be holding on). So let it happen, let it happen". I believe that these lyrics relate to a major event in ones life. The group does a good job of exploring the ideas of restlessness and misdirection in life through their music and especially in this video through a simple but powerful theme.


Unit 1 Reflection:

      Throughout this unit, I felt very comfortable with the subjects and material that was presented. During the first critical summary which was presented to me in class, an article written by Sherry Turkle titled "The Flight From Technology". This was a very good article to introduce the unit because it set the tone and offered a lot of opportunity throughout the article to analyze and draw logical ideas from. I felt the quality of the source was very good and since it was from the Wall Street Times, a popular and well established news reporting website I was comfortable agreeing with the information presented.
    My second article titled "21st Century Dating : Is Traditional Romance Dead?" came from a website titled collegemagazine.com. At first glance this was not a very good website name to get attention as typically college websites can be filled with tabloid information and ads. However the article was well written and presented nicely. I liked the article's ideas and direction. I would most likely not use a website such as this again though. Like the previous critical summary source, it presented many opportunities to analyze the discussion and generate thought provoking questions.
     My third critical summary source was an article titled "The Makeup Tax". This came from another .com website but was frequently featured on many other articles and sites. I felt this was better than my second source because it cited sources.
    Overall I was very happy with how my critical summaries turned out. I felt I had analyzed both the articles main theme as well as some underlying tones the authors may have been trying to put across. One of my favorite aspects of the critical summaries however was the non written piece of work that I was asked to analyze. I chose a popular music video that had a very good theme and message behind it. I felt as if it was easier to write about something that I enjoyed and would have watched or viewed in my personal time.
    One thing I wanted to focus on when choosing a good source was that it presented an argument that could be seen from more than one side. When discussing Sherry Turkle's article, one may argue that despite all the technological advancement we are still becoming closer to one another through technology. A second thought that could arise from that article is that one's ideas and views about technology may stem from how old they are and when they first began to be introduced to technology itself. In my second source, which discussed dating in the modern age, an argument could also be made for the other side about how technology and dating has evolved to better be able to find someone meant for you. This can be achieved through the capability of technology which allows meeting an immense amount of people in a very short amount of time. Finally my third written source was written from a women's perspective and could be tough for men to relate to due to the specificity of the subject but could serve as a good perspective for the readers.

Three Critical Summaries 2/9/2016

Critical Summary 1 : The Flight From Conversation by Sherry Turkle

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-conversation.html?_r=0

       In Sherry Turkle's April 21st 2012 article "The Flight From Conversation", she addresses the technological advancement of communication that she believes "sacrificed conversation for mere connection". Sherry provides a background of how over the past 15 years she has spent time talking to "hundreds of people of all ages and circumstances about their plugged-in lives". Turkle brings attention to the fact that in the modern age of communication, people choose what they desire to focus their attention on. Turkle suggests that human connections are depleting for a wider technological connection. This change is seen from the workplace environment to college campuses.
       One of the article's main points of emphasis is that with an increase in technological communication, we lose the ability "tend to one another". She expands on this by saying how face to face conversation "can attend to tone and nuance. In conversation, we are called upon to see things from another's point of view". In texting or email, conversations and messages tend to be direct and short. This does not allow one to truly self-reflect from conversation. She argues that one of the most important aspects of face to face conversation is the ability to self-reflect in order to gain a deeper meaning from conversation. When shortchanging each other through text messages or a Facebook message, the only thing gained is a connection not a true reflection.
         Finally, one of the last major points Sherry Turkle tries to make is that technology is becoming a replacement for companionship. With growing artificial intelligence that can produce conversation with realistic responses, humans are growing attached to this artificial comfort. She argues that eve with constant connection, humans will be lonely. She claims that "if we don't teach our children to be alone, they will know only how to be lonely". With children getting phones and iPads as early as middle school or below, this could be a growing problem in the future.

Critical Summary 2 : 21st Century Dating : Is Traditional Romance Dead?

http://www.collegemagazine.com/21st-century-dating-traditional-romance-dead/

       In Tamiera Vandegrift's November 12th 2015 article titled "21st Century Dating : Is Traditional Romance Dead?", she begins to explore the way dating and relationships have changed and evolved dramatically with the new generation of millennials. Recalling what dating was like back in the 1950's, she describes a typical date night that involved going out to a drive in movie and even introducing each other's parents. This idea is very foreign to young people, college students especially. She claims that "older generations says millennials are "lazy,entitled, confused, and addicted to instant gratification". I can see a lot of truth with this statement. With new technology advancing right before our eyes, it is easy to see why my generation is used to having things instantly. When you need to look something up, a simple google search will yield more than you likely needed to know. When it comes to dating or meeting new people, phone applications like tinder allow you to "swipe right" and potentially be available for an immediate match and conversation with the opposite sex. It seems that the majority of younger men and women have this idea of wanting to meet as many people as possible, quickly as possible. Another factor I believe that comes into play here is that many people at my age are coming out of long term relationships or are still trying to define themselves. These two factors would lead to people not wanting to set themselves up for a relationship when they feel it is not the right time in their life for one.
      However this is not the case for everyone. Many people still hold out for the right relationship and partner despite being pressured by friends or peers to "play the field" or see how there are "other fish in the sea". One student at Florida State University claimed that our generation is not actually against relationships, it is just rather that we are so exposed to different social media that we are very publicized. When she said this, I believe that she meant that due to social media and our constant connections through technology, we are more focused on individualistic advancement rather than a focus on partnership advancement. I found this article to be very true to the thoughts and ideas many of my peers have shared with me. The author did a good job at presenting both older generation's and today's youths opinions as well. One thing I would have liked to have seen more of was when this shift in dating and relationships began to change.

Critical Summary 3 : The Makeup Tax

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/08/the-makeup-tax/400478/?utm_source=SFFB

     In Olga Kazan's August 5th 2015 article titled "The Makeup Tax", she explores a very disturbing double standard in today's society. Beauty is a major factor in how women are perceived in the workplace and outside in society. The beauty industry is one that nets over 60 billion dollars annually. A personal finance site claimed that women will spend over $15,000 in their lifetime on beauty products. This made me think of the underlying factors beneath this spending. I know that some women enjoy doing makeup and the whole process of "beautifying" ones self. However, there has to be more to it than meets the eye. As a man, I am aware of my personal hygiene and grooming but I do not think it can be related to the extent that modern women have to endure. In a society that is fighting for equal rights, pay and opportunities that all women should be entitled to, beauty has almost become intertwined with a women worth. That should not be the case. A powerful quote from the article stated "Years of research has shown that attractive people earn more. Thus the Makeup Tax,: Good-looking men and good-looking women both get ahead, but men aren't expected to wear make up in order to look good".
    Unfortunately, beauty discrimination extends further than that. Typically, men tip better when women are wearing makeup and even prestigious jobs tend to go to women in makeup over women without any. I found this article to be very informative due to a different gender perspective. As a male, it is tough to be made aware of social issues many women face daily because I do not face the same ones. The author did a good job at describing many of the social problems and even offered a solution without pointing any fingers at who is to blame. I thought the author's use of statistics strengthened her enlargements and provided a good backdrop to future thoughts.

Online survery/quiz 2/4/2016

http://www.gotoquiz.com/are_you_a_true_hockey_fan

After taking the survery, my results were
The hockey god has blessed you with 86%of hockey knowlege.

 

86%

Wonderful! Great job! You're a true hockey fan. Are you from Russia or Canada? People from either of those countries would love you! Canada and Russia are the home of hockey...most of the people from those countries would know all you need to know to get the highest score on this test! I should know! =).

After taking this online hockey quiz, it turns out that I have above average hockey knowledge. I expected this to be the case since I am an avid hockey fan and viewer. I plan on attending a game tonight which will be the Boston Bruins versus the Buffalo Sabres. It will take place in Buffalo, New York at the First Niagara Center which is about two hours away from my place. By the results of the survey, it seems that the majority of respondents received a score of above 50% but below 100%. A perfect score is tough to achieve because some of these questions were meant to deceive. The questions also focused on very specific aspect of the games and as a result ended up being answers you just had to know. According to this site, the survey itself received a 7.4/10 which ranks among a mediocre survey. 

http://www.gotoquiz.com/results/which_personality_do_you_have_1

Which personality do you have

Your Result: Clever Cookie

 

68%

You are smart. Maybe your on the mathletics team, love the library,or know and have made several websites.Possibly you were in the super-brainics clique and jocks never insulted. Remember to put those smarts to good use

I also took a second survey which was designed to help figure out what type of personality I have. This survey was garbage, especially considering how they were not even able to properly spell some words in my results. Comparing my results to others, I received the most frequently generated result. The second result, a sporty jock, covers about 48% of the generated responses.

1/26 What I..... and 250 word reflection on “selfies with a social conscience”

The exercise "selfies with a social conscience" was an interesting way to see how quickly opinions and ideas form when looking at a simple photo. When one thinks of a selfie they automatically go to the idea of Instagram and Snapchat. However, there is more to a selfie sometimes. One different idea of a selfie came about when viewing the Syracuse Football team's active roster. Although the roster featured a typical photo of the player, it also had more information about them. An example of this was how a draft prospect for the team had all his season's statistics and major plays he was involved in. Selfies allow for more than just a look at how a person is looking at the time. They have evolved and transformed in social media. Selfies are used now to mark a special event or place. When you take a selfie at a famous place and post it to Instagram, it is as if you are proving to your social media audience that you were there. In a way, it also allows you to share that moment with your audience to allow them to feel involved in your trip or event. Even though it may be small or insignificant, it allows people to connect on a digital level. However too many selfies or photos without any true social conscience behind them can be annoying or viewed as an attempt to get attention through media. This is seen increasingly in social media, as people will just post a selfie of themselves even though their is no deeper meaning or context behind the photo.

Two cups of green tea post breakfast

Dunkin Dark Roast with extra milk and caramel swirl

A small bowl of pasta with meat sauce after workout for dinner

A subway foot-long (not pictured) oven roasted chicken breast sandwich. (Deal of the month)

A bowl of cereal for breakfast