I often encounter various ad pushes, and it bothers me. While ads do help users discover items of interest, and social platforms are able to run for free because of ad revenue, there are quite a few things about them that are offensive. Some ads can be overtly biased and only shown to a specific group of people, which can lead to unfairness. In addition, advertisements sometimes reveal personal privacy, displaying sensitive information about users in unexpected contexts, a situation that is even more disturbing.

I think the recommendation algorithm is getting more and more accurate, and every time I'm interested in something, it always pushes it to me quietly. Whether it's sorted by time or based on friend interactions, content popularity, or my browsing habits, the algorithms are able to combine a variety of factors to accurately recommend content, and may even refer to my geographic location. This probably explains why sometimes, just by talking about a certain topic, relevant content appears in the recommendations.

The concept of “acting as though they were not disabled” can sometimes carry an implicit pressure to conform to societal norms, which may inadvertently reinforce the idea that a person's worth is tied to their ability to function like a "typical" person. In contrast, embracing a more inclusive view of assistive technology could help shift perspectives, valuing diverse ways of moving, seeing, or processing information.

This reminds me that if most people are born with tails, then those without tails are considered “disabled”. This is because society's definition of “normal” is based on the majority of the population, and any trait that deviates from this standard is considered abnormal, or even inadequate. This phenomenon also illustrates the limitations of society's criteria for “disability”. Our definition of “ability” tends to be functional, but if the function is not useful in most settings, it is ignored or not even valued.

Every time I register for a new account, I’m always prompted to agree to the terms and conditions, but like most people, I never really read through them. It’s concerning to think about what could be hidden in those lengthy documents—things that might infringe on my rights without me even realizing it. Unclear privacy rules can easily conceal important details.

The impact of information leaks on our lives is quite significant. The leakage of phone numbers and personal details makes it easier for scammers to deceive people. I also often feel like my phone is monitoring my social media activity. Whenever I mention something I want to buy, within a few days, shopping platforms start showing me ads for that exact item, even if I've never searched for it. This kind of targeted advertising feels intrusive, as if my privacy is being constantly observed.

It made me realize how unpredictable, even unexpected, the influence of social media can be. A seemingly innocuous video can have such a profound impact on scientific research that the data can no longer be used. It also made me think about the importance of data quality and diversity, and how to prevent this kind of “data pollution” from happening again.

It’s alarming that even interests or vulnerabilities, such as a susceptibility to financial scams or addiction, can be guessed from online behavior. What’s even more disturbing is the use of AI to repackage debunked, racist theories about facial features to make judgments about people. Social media also plays a role in tracking broader trends, like how misinformation spreads, which affects public opinion on a massive scale. It's a reminder of how our online data is used in ways we might not even realize, sometimes with harmful consequences.

I think this passage makes a valid point. Some individuals actually get excited by the harassment it self, and this only encourages them to continue. The traditional advice of “don’t feed the trolls” may not be effective because it doesn't address the underlying thrill they derive from their actions. Instead, the only way to truly stop them is to make them feel the same pain, discomfort, and severe consequences that they inflict on others. I’m glad that technology, like automated moderation systems, can assist in this area by filtering out harmful content and providing a safer online environment.

I don't understand the behavior of hurting others for amusement. A joke is only funny when both parties find it amusing; otherwise, it becomes harassment and bullying. Many people like to use "just joking" as an excuse to hurt others, but this actually hides their irresponsible actions. When one person's happiness is built on another person's pain, the so-called sense of humor loses its meaning. We should advocate for respect and understanding, rather than deriving pleasure from belittling others. A joke is only a joke when both sides can accept it with joy; otherwise, it only creates conflict and suffering.

Anonymity allow individuals to express harmful thoughts and opinions without fear of consequences. This lack of accountability can lead to increased instances of cyberbullying and online harassment. When people hide behind screens, they may forget that their words can hurt real individuals, resulting in a toxic online culture.

Authenticity on social media, especially regarding celebrities, can be misleading. While fans often feel connected to their favorite stars through posts, these interactions are usually managed by public relations teams. This creates a curated image that may lack the honesty of real communication. Although playful content can foster connection, it also emphasizes the artificial nature of these relationships, reminding us that the interactions are not as genuine as they might seem.

This reminds me of Lab 1, where I was so excited after successfully using code to post an article on Reddit. However, it also left me feeling a bit anxious when I considered the broader implications. It made me realize that so much content on the internet can be generated through code, and a single individual has the power to shape public opinion or even spark controversies with just a few lines of code. It's both empowering and a little daunting to think about how easily information can spread and influence people.

This passage really resonates with me because it highlights the fun and flexibility of programming. Seeing how a simple for loop can help follow a bunch of users makes everything feel so much more manageable.

This reminds me of every time I try to take a picture of my computer screen with my phone camera. The image always shows tiny red, green, and blue lights, which is probably due to a similar reason. A display is made up of many tiny pixels, and each of these pixels is composed of subpixels that emit red, green, or blue light. When you try to capture the screen, the camera picks up these individual subpixels, revealing the RGB pattern that our eyes don’t normally see. This highlights how the underlying structure of digital displays, just like the limitations of computer storage, affects what we see and how information is processed.

This reminds me that computers have a similar problem when dealing with characters. This is because computers use an encoding set that can only contain a limited number of symbols and characters. Overall, computers, as powerful as they are, still have limitations in storing and processing numbers and symbols. These limitations come from the underlying hardware design and coding methods, not because the computer “doesn't want” to recognize everything, but more from technical trade-offs and design decisions.

This example reminds me of how internet memes often carry political messages, but the creators remain anonymous. Just like the donkey in the protest, memes can convey strong opinions without directly involving the person behind them, making them powerful tools for spreading ideas while avoiding personal accountability.

With the rise of AI-generated videos and real people simulating the work of bots, the line between authenticity and artificiality on the internet is increasingly blurred. Much of this trend is driven by the pursuit of views and attention, as synthetic content often garners high engagement by appearing novel or controversial. This leads to skepticism about the authenticity of what we see online, as creators and platforms exploit the blending of human and machine for profit, creating a landscape where distinguishing real from fake becomes ever more challenging.

I'm from China and I learned a lot of Confucian concepts as a child, but I've never been a fan of them, I think there are too many Confucian rules. I’m drawn to Taoism because it encourages living authentically and in peace with the world around us. Its emphasis on balance, patience, and harmony offers a calm and flexible approach to life, much like water shaping landscapes over time without force. Taoism’s rejection of rigid structures and focus on spontaneity makes it feel freeing and adaptable to different situations in life.

Reading this paragraph reminds me of how I often come across perspectives online that I can't understand, but in reality, it's simply because we come from different cultural backgrounds, grew up in different environments, and received varying levels of education. I went from not understanding these perspectives to now appreciating and even welcoming diverse voices on the internet. I believe the internet has given the world an opportunity to communicate; without it, I might never have the chance to connect with people from distant regions in my lifetime.