Privacy: Do We Really Have It?

 Privacy: Do We Really Have It?

    In this digital age, all we seem to talk about is keeping our data private, but can our data ever really be private. In this day and age, we post everything online whether we realize it or not. Information can be gathered from everything we do from sending an email, posting on Instagram, making a phone call, and even just driving around! Not only can this information be gathered, but it can be gathered without our knowledge or consent by our government, foreign government, hackers, and terrorists. I don't know about you, but this terrifies me.

    Video 1

     

  This video used a really interesting analogy for our digital footprint. The speaker in this video likened our digital footprint to a tattoo. In the same way that a tattoo can tell a story, so will our digital footprint. We are plastered with digital tattoos, and much like tattoos, not all are pretty. Our digital footprint is immortal and will outlast us.

Video 2

        Thanks to modern technology, there is a data base of almost everything you do. I found this video especially creepy. We are constantly being monitored in our day-to-day lives. Mass surveillance systems such as license plate readers and cell tower dumps keep track of your location constantly. Originally intended to look for suspects, these systems keep track of movements and locations. However, these systems keep a file on you regardless of criminality. From this, information such as your hobbies, places you frequent, religion, and daily routine are gathered and stored. Just because you don't see this technology does not mean it is not there.

Video 3

        We all carry a cell phone now, and that means we are never free from constant surveillance. Telephone companies have provided wiretapping assistance to the government for over 100 years. Now, the software is built into the very networks we use. These networks were built with surveillance as the main priority. This means anyone could be listening to you without you ever knowing. Also, there is no such thing as a hacker laptop or dealer phone; we all use the same communication devices, so if we have the ability to spy on others, they have the ability to spy on you. 

Video 4

        Not only can we easily be spied on, but we lack protection online. Since mainstream internet became a thing, there are so many ways to hurt others. The speaker in this video shares her story of revenge porn, or as she calls it, digital domestic abuse. Revenge porn is the use of explicit images or video published online without consent to hurt or damage someone. One in ten women face this. Her story shows the distinct lack of protection we have on the internet. She fought for eleven months to get these images taken down. In the US only 40 states and DC have laws against revenge porn, and even with these laws, punishments are light. This is even worse when the case crosses international borders. We desperately need more laws to regulate harmful actions on the internet.

Video 5

    

  What is one thing we do every day on the internet? We send emails. You may not think an email holds that much data, but you would be incorrect. Although a singular email may not hold much, we often send multiple emails a day every day. Over just a year this is a copious amount of information. Emails are not private. An email is similar to a postcard where everyone can read exactly what you said. Also, the younger generation is taught to put everything online with no regard to privacy and safety. This means our younger generations may have not concept of privacy on the internet in the future.

Video 6

        A new common trend in our daily lives are smart devices such as Alexa's, Google minis, smart fridges, and even smart lightbulbs. All these online smart devices are constantly gathering data about you. Many of these devices are incredibly easy to connect to and hack into. This means you are never safe from being spied on even in your own home. Even toys can spy on you. There was a doll called the Cayla doll that was sold that had the ability to connect to the internet and answer your child's questions; however, this doll was easily hacked into allowing people to prey on children. This doll now sits in a German spy museum. Another big factor of our internet privacy is the terms and conditions. Many people have seen the terms and conditions box pop up and clicked I agree without reading it. Often, these terms are too wordy for anyone to read and understand. Unfortunately, when we give out consent to these apps, you can never take it back.

The Printing Press (EOTO 1)

     Media is ever changing, and with that, so are its distribution methods. Books and printed works are so easily accessible to us, but this was not always the case. Books and printed media used to have to be hand-copied for distribution. Imagine how long that must have taken! for this reason, only the wealthy owned books and other printed media. I don't know about you, but if someone wanted to buy a handwritten book from me it would cost them quite a bit. However, the invention of the printing press made it so that books and other printed media could be made quicker and cheaper.

History of The Printing Press

    It is unclear who the inventor of the first printing press is; however, we do know that it was invented in China sometime in the first millennium (History.com). The first version of the printing press used a type of printing called wooden block printing (History.com). This type of printing involved carving small block of wood into individual letters, dipping them in ink, and stamping them onto a page one-by-one. Although faster than handwriting, this was still an incredibly slow method of printing. The earliest mention of a mechanized printing press is probably the one we are most familiar with. This is the one invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1448 (Encyclopedia Brittanica). His version of the printing press used metal letters that were arranged on a board, dipped in a special ink, and pressed onto paper using a mechanical wine press. What I found really interesting about this is that, because he used metal letters, the letters were more uniform and did not absorb the ink; but that meant he had to invent his own special ink that would stick to the metal letters. Gutenberg used his printing press to make his first (and only) printed book. This book was a forty-two line version of the bible called The Gutenberg Bible. (Encyclopedia Brittanica). There were only around two hundred copies of this book printed, and very few full copies still exist today.

Impact of The Printing Press

    Previous to the printing press, books and other printed media were only able to be hand-written for distribution. This meant that writing and distribution of printed media was not only expensive, but time consuming as well. Due to this, only the wealthy had the option to own various books and printed media. However, due to the invention of the printing press, printed media could be mass produced at a much faster pace and distributed at a cheaper price. This new ability to mass produce printed media allowed it to spread very quickly across Europe. This gave people access to new ideas giving them the chance to learn and express their opinions (Brilliantio). The spread of knowledge that sparked from this invention led to diversifying perspectives because one culture was allowed a glimpse into another through mass-produced works like books, poetry, and religious works (Brilliantio). Also, the printing press had a huge impact on education. Because the invention of the printing press made books more readily available, more people could afford them. Due to this they taught themselves to read leading to higher literacy rates (Brilliantio).

Conclusion

    In conclusion, this invention paved the way for readily accessible printed media, especially books and other forms of literature. Although we do not know who the inventor of the first printing press is, we do know it originated in China. Then, Johannes Gutenberg made improvements to the original press and mechanized it resulting in quicker, cheaper works. The printing press had significant cultural impact. It caused a rise in literacy, gave the lower-class access to literature, and allowed ideas to spread rapidly across Europe.

     

Values of Free Expression

    When learning about the first amendment, we must also consider the eight core values of speech it protects. These are as follows: marketplace of ideas, participation in self-government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation and protect dissent. The careful combination of these ensures that US citizens are able to express themselves freely and adequately (within reason, of course.). 

    One of the first core values that really resonated with me was promotion of tolerance. This is really important because, in a seemingly contradictory manner, the first amendment protects many forms of speech even if they are not pleasant. For example, the first amendment protects hate speech, lewd speech, and vulgar speech. This is why promotion of tolerance is so important. If speech that we do not necessarily agree with is allowed, then we must tolerate it. This allows us to work out our differences and become a more tolerant community as a whole. This can be especially true right now, during election season, when everyone wears their political beliefs on their sleeve. We live in a society that, thankfully, has a choice in its government leaders. However, because of the, there will always be debates and conflicting opinions. Through promotion of tolerance, we learn to listen to others and consider their opinions before making a snap judgment or being hostile.

Another core value that really resonated with me, protecting dissent, also goes hand-in-hand with promotion of tolerance. During election season, politics are at the forefront of many Americans' thoughts. This is especially true right after election day. In our democratic society, it is important that everyone has a voice, and everyone is heard, even if they are a minority. Protecting dissent allows the people to criticize the government. Not only are you allowed to criticize the government, but you should criticize the government if you notice something. This is the way we can make sure our voices are heard by our political leaders. 

In conclusion, our first amendment is fundamental to protecting democracy. Within the first amendment are many core values of speech including promoting tolerance and protecting dissent. I find these fundamental to our democratic style of government. This is especially true during the current election season.