In this article, Steven Tweedie describes a photo showing a worker surrounded by nearly 100 iPhones, all being used to download and interact with apps. The purpose is to artificially boost app rankings in the App Store. This demonstrates how companies can manipulate popularity metrics by using large numbers of devices to create fake downloads and activity. This makes apps appear more popular than they actually are.

I think this part of the chapter shows a really concerning side of bots. Using bots for fake followers or astroturfing makes it hard to know what’s real online. It made me realize we need to be more critical of what we see, since everything can be artificially created online.

The quote from Confucius reminds me that when we interact with others, we should learn to put ourselves in their position. It made me think that a lot of conflicts or misunderstandings could be avoided if people just asked themselves, “Would I want to be treated this way?” I think that this quote is practical and it can be something you can apply in small, daily interactions. To me, it emphasizes empathy and mutual respect. It also makes me see the importance of understanding others and acting with consideration.

For confucianism, I want add an important idea of self-cultivation over time. Confucianism emphasizes that becoming an ethical person is a lifelong process of learning, reflection, and practice. This is very different from Mencius, which believes that people are naturally ethical when they were born. This highlights that morality is about continuously improving oneself within society