- Last 7 days
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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In order for these users to still get the information intended from the images, the image can come with alt-text. You can read more about alt-text in this New York Times feature Reddit unfortunately doesn’t allow alt-text for their images. So while we were going to have a programming demo here to look up the alt-text, there is no alt-text on images uploaded to Reddit to look up, meaning this site is unfriendly to blind or low-vision users.
The lack of alt-text on Reddit images points to a larger issue in digital design—ensuring accessibility for all users. Platforms need to prioritize features that make their content usable for everyone, including blind or low-vision users, as part of their commitment to inclusivity.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Reusing code instead of repeating code: When we find ourselves repeating a set of actions in our program, we end up writing (or copying) the same code multiple times. If we put that repeated code in a function, then we only have to write it once and then use that function in all the places we were repeating the code.
This explanation underscores the importance of using functions to promote efficiency and maintainability in programming. By reusing code, we reduce redundancy, make our programs easier to debug, and set a foundation for more scalable software development practices.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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In order to test out data mining on Twitter, we are going to use a Natural Language Processing library, which gives us functions to work with langauge data such as sentences, words, etc. You don’t need to know the details of how these work internally, but we will be using the “Natural Language Toolkit” along with the “Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner” (or VADER) lexicon.
It’s fascinating to see how Natural Language Processing libraries, like NLTK and VADER, simplify the complex task of analyzing textual data. This accessibility allows us to focus on extracting meaningful insights from social media without needing a deep understanding of the underlying algorithms.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Anonymity can encourage inauthentic behavior because, with no way of tracing anything back to you1, you can get away with pretending you are someone you are not, or behaving in ways that would get your true self in trouble.
Anonymity indeed creates a double-edged sword in online interactions. While it can foster free expression and protect privacy, it also allows individuals to engage in harmful or deceptive behavior without accountability, which poses significant challenges for maintaining trust in digital spaces.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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As a social media user, we hope you are informed about things like: how social media works, how they influence your emotions and mental state, how your data gets used or abused, strategies in how people use social media, and how harassment and spam bots operate.
This statement emphasizes the need for digital literacy among social media users, empowering them to understand the platforms they engage with. Being informed about these aspects helps users make conscious choices and protect themselves in the digital environment.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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But even people who thought they were doing something good regretted the consequences of their creations, such as Eli Whitney who hoped his invention of the cotton gin would reduce slavery in the United States, but only made it worse, or Alfred Nobel who invented dynamite (which could be used in construction or in war) and decided to create the Nobel prizes, or Albert Einstein regretting his role in convincing the US government to invent nuclear weapons, or Aza Raskin regretting his invention infinite scroll.
This sentence highlights the unintended consequences of technological advancements, even when created with good intentions. It reminds us of the importance of considering ethical implications and potential long-term impacts when developing new technologies.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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As women were advancing the field of computer programming, some of them became frustrated with how they were viewed, such as Margaret Hamilton:
Margaret Hamilton's frustration sheds light on the challenges women faced in being recognized for their significant contributions to programming. Her experience reminds us of the importance of valuing the individuals who push the boundaries of innovation, regardless of societal biases.
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As you may have noticed in chapter 2 of the book, the first programmers were almost all women. When computers were being invented, men put themselves in charge of building the physical devices (hardware), and then gave the work of programming the computer (software) to their assistants, often women.
This point is fascinating because it highlights how gender roles have historically shaped technology fields. The division of labor between hardware and software reflects societal perceptions at the time, undervaluing the intellectual contributions of programming and the women who pioneered it.
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- Nov 2024
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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While the example from The Onion above focuses on celebrity, in the time since it was written, social media has taken a larger role in society and democratized celebrity.
The rise of social media has really changed celebrity culture, making it easy for ordinary people to attain celebrity status. This phenomenon makes public concern and criticism more pervasive and casual.
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Another way of considering public shaming is as schadenfreude, meaning the enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others.
This statement reveals the phenomenon of humans taking pleasure in the plight of others, and makes me reflect on the psychological roots of public shaming. Why people are happy to see others suffer is certainly worth exploring.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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As a principle, the concept is pretty clear: let people do their thing. But we do still live in a society which does not permit total freedom to do whatever one wants, with no consequences. Some actions do too much damage, and would undermine the society of freedom, so those actions are written into the law (that is, proscribed) as a basis for reprisals.
It made me realize that society must sometimes restrict individual actions in order to preserve overall freedom, especially when those actions may have serious consequences. The balance between freedom and restraint is important.
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Beyond what is proscribed by law, there are plenty of other actions and behaviors we don’t want people to be doing in our society, but they are not such as should be written into law. I don’t want my friends to lie to me, generally speaking, but this is not against the law. It would be weird if it was!
It is true that some actions, while morally unacceptable, should not be regulated by law. For example, when a friend lies, while disappointing, it is really inappropriate to write it into the law.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Social media crowdsoucing can also be used for harassment
Crowdsourcing on social media can also be used for harassment, as groups of users sometimes band together to target individuals or spread harmful content. This reveals the double-edged nature of cyber collaboration - collective efforts can either lead to positive results or be misused for evil.
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When social media users work together, we can consider what problem they are solving.
When social media users collaborate on platforms like TikTok, they demonstrate the power of collective creativity. This collaboration can turn simple ideas into complex and inspiring content, demonstrating the potential of social dynamics in content creation. For example, in collaborative videos, musicians not only share their talents, but also create unique musical experiences based on each other
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Some systems have no moderators. For example, a personal website that can only be edited by the owner of the website doesn’t need any moderator set up (besides the person who makes their website).
A system without moderators may be better suited to a space controlled by individuals, such as a private website, but in the larger online community, a lack of oversight can lead to the spread of harmful content. The key is to find a balance between respecting individual freedom of expression and maintaining the security of the overall online environment.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Sites like 4chan and 8chan bill themselves as sites that support free-speech, in the sense that they don’t ban trolling and hateful speech, though they may remove some illegal content, like child pornography.
While these platforms claim to support free speech, they still have to balance legal responsibility and user safety to some extent. The removal of illegal content such as child pornography is a necessary protection, but whether it is sufficient, especially when it comes to preventing hate speech from having a negative real-world impact, is still up for debate.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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So you might find a safe space online to explore part of yourself that isn’t safe in public
Finding a safe space online that allows people to explore parts of themselves that are not readily available in public has positive implications for mental health. Such Spaces provide an opportunity for people to express themselves and get support without fear of scrutiny or negative judgment. However, ensuring that this environment is safe and positive is key, otherwise it may backfire.
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One of the ways social media can be beneficial to mental health is in finding community (at least if it is a healthy one, and not toxic like in the last section).
According to these contents, social media can promote mental health by building healthy communities. And it provides support and a sense of belonging that helps people cope with life's challenges. However, if the community becomes toxic, it can have a negative impact on mental health.
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- Oct 2024
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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For social media content, replication means that the content (or a copy or modified version) gets seen by more people. Additionally, when a modified version gets distributed, future replications of that version will include the modification
In the context of social media, replication refers to the process where content, or a modified version of it, is shared and distributed across platforms, reaching more viewers. When users share or remix content, the new version may include changes or additions, which are then carried forward as the content continues to spread. This creates a cycle where the modified version becomes the basis for future iterations, allowing both the original and the altered content to reach even larger audiences over time.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Knowing that there is a recommendation algorithm, users of the platform will try to do things to make the recommendation algorithm amplify their content. This is particularly important for people who make their money from social media content.
Knowing how recommendation algorithms work, users - especially content creators - will often adjust their strategies to expand their content, such as by increasing engagement and using trending topics. This is critical for creators who rely on social media for income, as higher visibility can lead to more opportunities for monetization. However, this also raises ethical issues, as it can sometimes encourage sensationalism or low-quality content exploitation systems.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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We mentioned Design Justice earlier, but it is worth reiterating again here that design justice includes considering which groups get to be part of the design process itself.
It's essential that Design Justice emphasizes not only the outcome of design but who is involved in the process. If only dominant groups are part of the decision-making, we risk creating systems that unintentionally harm or exclude marginalized groups. Ensuring that all voices are represented can lead to more inclusive, equitable design solutions that truly serve diverse communities.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Someone may post something about another person without their permission.
When people post about others without their permission, it can lead to serious privacy violations. For example, sharing personal moments or information without consent can damage relationships and put people at risk. This is especially true with parents oversharing about their kids (“sharenting”), as it can affect the child’s future without their knowledge or agreement.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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social media data about who you are friends with might be used to infer your sexual orientation.
It's really scary to think that just by looking at who your friends are, people can speculate about your personal life, like your sexual orientation. It makes me feel like social media knows too much about us. I think platforms need to do a better job of keeping our private information safe so it's not used in ways we don't want.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Additionally, the inauthentic arguments have long been observed, and were memorably explored by Jean-Paul Sartre as “Bad Faith”.
Sartre’s exploration of “Bad Faith” highlights a significant issue with inauthentic arguments, especially in modern trolling behavior. People who engage in trolling often present arguments they don’t truly believe, either for attention or to provoke others. This concept of knowingly spreading falsehoods or engaging in self-deception resonates with many of the harmful dynamics we see in online spaces today, where authenticity and accountability are often lacking.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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Inauthentic behavior is when the reality doesn’t match what is being presented.
As discussed in the article, inauthentic behavior is increasingly concerning in today’s social media. Examples of law enforcement phishing and trumpet accounts demonstrate how easy it is to manipulate others by forging identities. Not only do these tactics deceive individuals, they also exacerbate the spread of misinformation and further undermine users’ trust in the platform. This is a reminder that stronger systems should be in place to authenticate users and prevent these harmful behaviors from occurring.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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4Chan
Although 4Chan is known for "free speech," it has also sparked discussions about online responsibility and ethics. How to protect freedom of speech while avoiding the spread of malicious and harmful behaviors on the Internet is a question worth pondering.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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dictionaries
Dictionaries are very useful when working with social media data. Especially when we need to organize multiple pieces of user information (such as username, avatar, watch list, etc.) to edit code, it provides a flexible way to quickly access and manage this data.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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我们必须意识到我们总是在做这些简化,尽量弄清楚我们正在做哪些简化,并仔细考虑我们正在做的简化的道德含义。
We need to be careful when simplifying data, just like painting a picture, sometimes we forget to paint some important parts. If we don't pay attention to these omissions, it may lead us to make wrong decisions or be unfair to some people, so think carefully about what important things are being overlooked every time you simplify.
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所有数据都是现实的简化
All data is a simplification of reality, just like drawing a map. It looks simple on the map, but in fact each line represents many different things. Because the data is collected through specific standards or frameworks. Data cannot tell us everything, it can only tell us part of it, so when we look at the data, we must remember that it cannot show everything (limitations).
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- Sep 2024
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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The computer may sit and do nothing while waiting for an event to happen.
The computer is "sitting and doing nothing" waiting for an event to happen, which means that when the user is using it, it is important to respond quickly. Even though a computer may appear to be idle, ensuring it can respond promptly when an event occurs is critical to improving the user experience.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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This means we can analyze the ethics of the action of the bot, as well as the intentions of the various people involved, though those all might be disconnected.
The gap between intention and behavior is an important issue. While we can look separately at what the robot did and what the person behind it intended to do, the two are not necessarily the same, making it difficult to say who is responsible. So, we may need clearer rules when using these automated things.
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social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
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杰斐逊在《独立宣言》“我们认为这些真理是不言而喻的:人人生而平等,造物主赋予他们若干不可剥夺的权利,其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。”
The article mentioned that rights come from "the Creator," sparking discussion about the separation of religion and government. Because the government should not consider any religion when formulating laws and policies, but should remain neutral and ensure that all citizens enjoy equal rights and treatment regardless of religious background. It also makes people think about how these natural rights should be understood and interpreted in a secular society.
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Act with unforced actions in harmony with the natural cycles of the universe. Trying to force something to happen will likely backfire.
Taking non-coercive action is not the same as inaction, but a way of action that is appropriate. It is said here that it does not interfere at all, but it is better to say that it takes appropriate action according to the situation. Instead of simply “Trying to force something to happen will likely backfire”.
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