37 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2023
    1. As a member of society, we hope you are informed about the role social media plays in shaping society, such as how design decisions and bots can influence social movements (polarizing, spreading, or stifling different them), and the different economic, social, and governmental pressures that social media platforms operate under.

      Social media has a huge influence on society; bot activity and design decisions may have a big impact on how social movements spread or are suppressed, which frequently polarizes public opinion. These platforms' operations and policies are shaped by a variety of influences, such as governmental, societal, and economic ones. Comprehending this intricate interaction is essential for conscientious use of social media and acknowledging its influence on social dynamics.

    1. 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.

      Understanding the workings of social media is essential for users since the way material is tailored by algorithms may have a big influence on your mood and mental health. Online safety and privacy depend on you being aware of how these sites use or could exploit your data. Furthermore, accessing social media platforms properly and securely requires understanding other people's techniques as well as how spam bots and harassment methods operate.

  2. Nov 2023
    1. Then, much of tech is dependent on exploiting cheap labor, often in dangerous conditions, in other countries (thus extracting the resource of cheap labor, from places with “inferior” governments and economies). This labor might be physical labor, or dealing with dangerous chemicals, or the content moderators who deal with viewing horrific online content.

      The essay examines the moral ramifications of the tech sector's reliance on cheap labor in nations with laxer laws, stressing not just the dangers to one's health from producing and handling hazardous materials but also the emotional toll it takes on individuals entrusted with filtering objectionable content online. It highlights a structural problem in which governance flaws and economic inequalities are taken advantage of, frequently at the expense of people's dignity and well-being.

    1. “an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market”

      The basic ideas of a capitalist economy, in which private property and unrestricted market competition propel economic activity, are discussed in this work. It emphasizes how important it is for both corporate and individual decision-makers to shape the investment environment and decide how best to allocate resources.

    2. an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

      The basic ideas of a capitalist economy, in which private property and unrestricted market competition propel economic activity, are discussed in this work. It emphasizes how important it is for both corporate and individual decision-makers to shape the investment environment and decide how best to allocate resources.

    1. 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. As comedian Bo Burnham puts it: “[This] celebrity pressure I had experienced on stage has now been democratized and given to everybody [through social media]. And everyone is feeling this pressure of having an audience, of having to perform, of having a sort of, like, proper noun version of your own name and then the self in your heart.”

      It insightfully captures the evolution of celebrity culture in the age of social media, as highlighted by Bo Burnham's observations. It underscores how social platforms have expanded the concept of celebrity, distributing its pressures and dynamics to a wider audience. This democratization of celebrity emphasizes the growing tension between public personas and private selves, a phenomenon increasingly relevant in today's digital society.

    1. In this view, a good parent might see their child doing something bad or dangerous, and tell them to stop. The child may feel shame (they might not be developmentally able to separate their identity from the momentary rejection). The parent may then comfort the child to let the child know that they are not being rejected as a person, it was just their action that was a problem. The child’s relationship with the parent is repaired, and over time the child will learn to feel guilt instead of shame and seek to repair harm instead of hide.

      It highlights an important aspect of parenting: addressing negative or dangerous behavior in a way that separates the child's actions from their identity. It underscores the role of parents in helping children understand the difference between feeling guilty about a specific action and feeling shame about themselves as a person. This approach fosters a healthier emotional development where children learn accountability and the importance of repairing relationships, rather than hiding from their mistakes.

    1. We tend to think of violence as being another “normatively loaded” word, like authenticity. But where authenticity is usually loaded with a positive connotation–on the whole, people often value authenticity as a good thing–violence is loaded with a negative connotation. Yes, the doctor setting the bone is violent and invasive, but we don’t usually call this “violence” because it is considered to be a legitimate exercise of violence. Instead, we reserve the term “violence” mostly for describing forms of interference that we consider to be morally bad.

      The text insightfully distinguishes between the typical connotations of 'violence' and 'authenticity,' highlighting how societal perceptions often shape our understanding of these terms. It points out that while 'violence' usually carries negative connotations, certain actions, like a doctor setting a bone, though violent in nature, are not labeled as such due to their legitimate and beneficial context. This analysis underscores the complexity of language and how moral judgments can influence the categorization of actions in societal discourse.

    1. Individual harassment (one individual harassing another individual) has always been part of human cultures, bur social media provides new methods of doing so.

      The social media makes individual harassment easier, and them might increase the number of harassment. However, because of the situation, a healthy social media environment should be made by constructing some user laws.

    1. A research study demonstrated the power of crowd work by having Mechanical Turk workers build off of the work done by previous workers. To demonstrate, they wrote a note with intentionally bad and almost undecipherable handwriting

      It is good that by the Mechanical Turk can improve and do work based on the previous one from other workers, which may cost less time and can continue to make progress. However, the worker may not recognize and do not comprehend the previous work because of objective or subjective reasons (e.g. the undecipherable handwriting is one of the reasons) which might further decrease the efficiency.

    1. Location: Some forms of communication require you to be physically close, some allow you to be located anywhere with an internet signal.

      I am an international student, so my parents and I are in different countries with time difference. In the past, we often sit at the dinner table to share the life with each other. However, we can just chat on social media platforms - the main communication method.

    1. Governments might also have rules about content moderation and censorship, such as laws in the US against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). China additionally censors various news stories in their country, like stories about protests. In addition to banning news on their platforms, in late 2022 China took advantage of Elon Musk having fired almost all Twitter content moderators to hide news of protests by flooding Twitter with spam and porn.

      It highlights the contrasting approaches of different governments to content moderation and censorship. It underscores the strict laws in the US against materials like CSAM, and contrasts them with China's broader censorship practices, including manipulating social media platforms to suppress news about protests.

    2. Let’s now look at how some different platforms have handled content moderation:

      I think considering different platforms is important. Linking to Public Relations, different platforms have different audiences and we should be aware of our publics and their needs. Managing different platforms is different - we should adjust.

    1. Sometimes people will harm their bodies (called “self-harm”) as a way of expressing or trying to deal with negative emotions or situations. Self-harm doesn’t always have to be physical though, and some people find ways of causing emotional self-harm through the internet.

      When people sitting in a static motion for long time looking at the screen, there might be physical negative results. Also, worries cannot be diminished by spending a lot of time to entertain. However, there might be more concerns as the person do not finish and spend efforts on work/study. Healthily accessing to the technology is preferred and a good way to relax and follow the news.

    1. Some researchers have found that people using social media may enter a dissociation state, where they lose track of time (like what happens when someone is reading a good book).

      It is true and I have similar experience. When I spent time, browsing the social media platforms, the time is extremely "faster" as I imagine. It is also the reason why some people spend "their whole life" on internet. I think to reasonably balance our leisure time and work/study, we should set the time for entertaining at first and stop to study/work at that settled time.

    1. When content is replicated on social media, it may be modified. The Social media system might have built-in ways to do this, like a quote tweet or reply adding some sort of comment to the original post, effectively making a new version of the post that can spread around.

      Social media platforms frequently result in repeated reinterpretations of information because they allow users to add their own opinions and create a dynamic, multi-layered discourse. Examples of these tools are quote tweets and responses. This social media feature not only makes it easier for information to circulate widely, but it also highlights how digital communication is always changing and that each contact can somewhat change the original context or meaning of a message. Because of this, a single post may inspire a wide range of storylines, with each version capturing the unique characteristics of the person who altered it and enhancing the post's viral potential.

    2. 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 (a.k.a., inheritance).

      This claim emphasizes the viral quality of social media material and shows how dissemination—whether unaltered or altered—increases exposure within user networks. The notion of "inheritance" in content replication emphasizes how changes are ever-lasting; once an edit is made, it is applied consistently to all ensuing shares, possibly changing the original meaning or purpose of the information. The phrase encapsulates a basic feature of digital information dissemination: material changes as it circulates, frequently creating an intricate network of original and modified copies that are viewed by an ever-expanding viewership.

    1. Recommendations for friends or people to follow can go well when the algorithm finds you people you want to connect with. Recommendations can go poorly when they do something like recommend an ex or an abuser because they share many connections with you.

      I actually have experience and feelings about this. It is true that the algorithms let me add or follow friends more conveniently for example at Instagram. I can follow some people in the same college of we share many common followers. However, I have another account which I just want to share some personal feelings (only let close friends follow). When some people I know but not that familiar request to follow this account, I feel a bit weird but not allowing the request seems weird, too.

    1. Similarly, recommendation algorithms are rules set in place that might produce biased, unfair, or unethical outcomes. This can happen whether or not the creators of the algorithm intended these outcomes.

      If the creators do not have the negative purpose, it also may produce biased, unfair, or unethical outcomes. Therefore, it is a bit difficult to decide the responsibility as the intention can not be decided according to the results. It is not a simple question. However, it is reasonable to be not completely accurate as people's preference is changing all the time and is affected by various factors - it is subjective. Algorithms is just something created to predict from your previous activities, so it is not a human, even your close friends or family cannot predict completely true.

  3. Oct 2023
    1. Another way of managing disabilities is assistive technology, which is something that helps a disabled person act as though they were not disabled. In other words, it is something that helps a disabled person become more “normal” (according to whatever a society’s assumptions are).

      It is how technology and society can do for the disabled people to have same or at least similar access as other people. However, there are still limitations. These kinds of technologies or tools usually cost relatively high prices, and some disabled people can not afford them, and therefore they will still lose chance to access information. I think we should keep develop to have other methods making more people who are able to be involved.

    2. Those with disabilities often find ways to cope with their disability, that is, find ways to work around difficulties they encounter and seek out places and strategies that work for them

      Although it is reasonable that people with disabilities may actively find ways to cope with their disability, the society should be aware of the problem and well-rounded to include facilities that can help these people. Also, when we coding, we should make sure that information can also be delievered to these kinds of people, making sure they have the same or at least similar chances as other people.

    1. Unclear Privacy Rules: Sometimes privacy rules aren’t made clear to the people using a system. For example: If you send “private” messages on a work system, your boss might be able to read them. When Elon Musk purchased Twitter, he also was purchasing access to all Twitter Direct Messages Others Posting Without Permission: Someone may post something about another person without their permission. See in particular: The perils of ‘sharenting’: The parents who share too much

      It emphasizes important distinctions between the notions of digital privacy and hacking, pointing out that unclear or misinterpreted privacy regulations can also lead to privacy breaches. The examples show how users' perceptions of what is "private" in digital communications, such as direct messages, can be seen by employers, platform owners, or system administrators, perhaps without the users' knowledge or agreement. The potential scenario of Elon Musk buying Twitter serves as a stark reminder that ownership of a digital platform entails access to all user data, including private conversations. This scenario emphasizes the significance of open privacy policies and user consent in data access.

    1. Some governments and laws protect the privacy of individuals (using a Natural Rights ethical framing). These include the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which includes a “right to be forgotten”, and the United State’s Supreme Court has at times inferred a constitutional right to privacy.

      The essay emphasizes the ethical need of natural rights, which essentially encompass privacy, and the crucial role that legal frameworks play in protecting individual private. The GDPR highlights the growing acceptance of personal data autonomy by noting people's "right to be forgotten," which gives them authority over their digital imprint. Moreover, the mention of the position taken by the US Supreme Court suggests that privacy may be seen as an inherent constitutional right, independent of legislative safeguards, which underscores its basic importance in contemporary legal systems and governance.

    1. One of the main goals of social media sites is to increase the time users are spending on their social media sites. The more time users spend, the more money the site can get from ads, and also the more power and influence those social media sites have over those users. So social media sites use the data they collect to try and figure out what keeps people using their site, and what can they do to convince those users they need to open it again later.

      It emphasizes how user interaction generates profit and influence, which is at the heart of social media business models. It emphasizes the relationship between more screen time and more advertising money for platforms, which gives them more power over how users behave and pay attention. Because of this cycle, social media businesses are always refining their data analytics, which enables them to improve user experiences and increase "stickiness," or the likelihood that users will return to their platforms, thus continuing the engagement and revenue cycle.

    1. Additionally, social media might collect information about non-users, such as when a user posts a picture of themselves with a friend who doesn’t have an account, or a user shares their phone contact list with a social media site, some of whom don’t have accounts

      The social media and many other websites can track users' data and use the big data and information collected to recommend relevant ads or products to them. However, they may use this information not only to achieve simple commercial aims, but possibly be some other purposes which may threaten the users' safety. Thus, I think some regulations should be made and the companies should be aware and take the responsibility. If their users find that they use their information to do some unethical thing, they may be upset and they may not trust the company in the future - leading to long-term loss.

    1. In the Black Lives Matters protests of 2020, Dallas Police made an app where they asked people to upload videos of protesters doing anything illegal. In support of the protesters, K-pop fans swarmed the app and uploaded as many K-pop videos as they could eventually leading to the app crashing and becoming unusable, and thus protecting the protesters from this attempt at Police surveillance.

      K-pop fans' initiative during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations exemplifies a distinct type of digital activism in which the general public can undermine surveillance techniques for social justice goals. They successfully protected demonstrators from extra inspection by oversaturating the Dallas Police app with irrelevant content, turning the tables on a system intended to track and manage civil disobedience. This instance highlights how protest in the digital age is changing, showing how online groups can organize to defend civil liberties in creative and unanticipated ways.

    2. A Facebook memorial page dedicated to Matthew Kocher, who drowned July 27 in Lake Michigan, had attracted a group of Internet vandals who mocked the Tinley Park couple’s only child, posting photos of people drowning with taunting comments superimposed over the images. One photo showed a submerged person’s hand breaking through the water with text reading “LOL u drowned you fail at being a fish,” according to a screen grab of the page shared with the Tribune after the post was removed.

      An upsetting misuse of digital platforms is the exploitation of Matthew Kocher's memorial website, which transforms a place of grieving into one of callousness and cruelty. The act of making fun of a tragic drowning with such cruel imagery is extremely disrespectful to the victim's memory and causes unneeded suffering for the victim's loved ones. This incident highlights the critical requirement for stricter moderation procedures on social media platforms in order to safeguard grieving communities from offensive information and uphold the sacredness of memorial places.

    1. On social media, context collapse is a common concern, since on a social networking site you might be connected to very different people (family, different groups of friends, co-workers, etc.). Additionally, something that was shared within one context (like a private message), might get reposted in another context (publicly posted elsewhere).

      When multiple social circles collide, it can be difficult to decide which character to project, which is reflected in the phenomena of "context collapse," which is especially common in social media. This mental balancing effort, which was formerly restricted to physical settings like unexpectedly running into one's parents while out with friends, has become considerably more difficult in the digital world where several social groupings cohabit. As people strive to balance a one-size-fits-all method of communication with diverse social expectations and relationships, the hazy boundaries between private and public sharing can cause anxiety and self-censorship.

    1. We value authenticity because it has a deep connection to the way humans use social connections to manage our vulnerability and to protect ourselves from things that threaten us.

      We value authenticity because it protects us from potential dangers and emotional uncertainty in our social relationships and satisfies our innate need for security and sincere connections. Authentic people establish a sense of reliability and stability in their interactions, establishing secure environments where vulnerability is appreciated rather than taken advantage of. By strengthening our social links through the honest and open sharing of our genuine selves, we are better equipped to deal with the complexities of human emotions and societal pressures.

    1. What actions would you not allow users to do

      I think I may restrict directly copying from others' post or text, commenting impolitely to others, and posting words that threat the society rights. These are posts that might lead to serious consequences, so to make the social media site safer and green, we should make some limitations.

    1. the communication platforms and personal profiles merged. Many websites now let you create a profile, form connections, and participate in discussions with other members of the site.

      Nowadays, the social media platforms are developed and make it easier for people to interact with each other. It is beneficial but also may bring some threats. People can have access to more information and communicate more efficiently through social media. However, there might be safety and privacy issues: the website or platforms may record personal information from their users.

    1. Think for a minute about consequentialism. On this view, we should do whatever results in the best outcomes for the most people. One of the classic forms of this approach is utilitarianism, which says we should do whatever maximizes ‘utility’ for most people. Confusingly, ‘utility’ in this case does not refer to usefulness, but to a sort of combo of happiness and wellbeing. When a utilitarian tries to decide how to act, they take stock of all the probable outcomes, and what sort of ‘utility’ or happiness will be brought about for all parties involved. This process is sometimes referred to by philosophers as ‘utility calculus’. When I am trying to calculate the expected net utility gain from a projected set of actions, I am engaging in ‘utility calculus’ (or, in normal words, utility calculations).

      The text delves into the concept of consequentialism, particularly its subset, utilitarianism, which emphasizes actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the majority. The term 'utility calculus' refers to the analytical process of weighing probable outcomes to determine the best course of action based on overall happiness and well-being.

    1. Because all data is a simplification of reality, those simplifications work well for some people and some situations but can cause problems for other people and other situations. Thus, when designers of social media systems make decisions about how data will be saved and what constraints will be put on the data, they are making decisions about who will get a better experience. Based on these decisions, some people will fit naturally into the data system, while others will have to put in extra work to make themselves fit, and others will have to modify themselves or misrepresent themselves to fit into the system.

      The text highlights the inherent limitations of data as a representation of the complex real world and underscores the implications of design choices in social media systems. These choices can inadvertently prioritize certain user experiences, potentially marginalizing others and compelling them to adapt or misrepresent themselves.

    1. How are people’s expectations different for a bot and a “normal” user?

      I think people have higher expectations for a bot than a "normal" user. People recognize that it is generated by AI, and they may not know AI very well - just thinking it is amazing. They will allow mistakes or misinformation posted by normal users but maybe not for a bot. As a result, they may pay more attention to it and have higher expectations.

    2. 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.

      I think that the between the people who typed the codes and the people who run the codes, the creator should take the responsibilities. If the creators do not come up with the codes, the results will not be there. I think to be responsible, the creators should imagine all of the results (positive and negative) before actually create. They should be comprehensively considered.

    1. The internet isn’t real life

      I relatively agree with this opinion. People actually pretend to be "perfect" on social media, and they post photos or videos to demonstrate an image that they want others regard them as. However, it might be different from what they actually are. Even when texting, people tend to be polite and kind especially when text to someone they are not very familiar with. For example, before I posting photos to my Wechat moment, I will PS and check I am satisfied with all of the photos. However, my skin may not be so smooth with acnes.

    1. ancient ethics systems

      "Zhuzibaijia - hundred schools of thought" is the general term for various academic sects in the pre-Qin period. According to records, there are 189 named authors with 4,324 works. Later, it was also recorded that there were actually thousands of "hundred schools of thought". However, there are only a few dozen of them that are widely spread, have greater influence, and are the most famous. In summary, only 12 schools were developed. Besides, Confucianism and Taoism, there are several main ones: Legalist, Mohist, military strategist, etc.