Blog Post 6

Antiwar in America 

    When we were in school in America, we often heard about what the U.S. troops were up to overseas in our history classes. They never really talked about us being "at war" with other countries, but more like our troops were fighting to protect American freedom. None of my teachers ever said anything negative about our troop movements or actions. Instead, they said that international conflicts brought jobs and industry to Americans so we could make the stuff needed for battle. This idea stuck with our teachers when they were kids and then got passed down to us, even though it's not entirely true. It all goes back to the government being interested in war for a long time.

     

    When the U.S. government says they're at war with another country or group anywhere in the world, they get a lot more power than what the founding fathers had in mind for each branch of government. During wartime, the President can send troops without needing Congress's OK, thanks to the War Powers Resolution. This means the government can do more surveillance, both at home and overseas. Agencies like the NSA, FBI, and CIA can spy on threats and gather info with fewer rules. But a lot of people see this as the government sneaking into our privacy and getting into stuff that's none of their business. War powers even let the government mess with our basic rights, like freedom of speech, the press, and assembly. They can keep an eye on and control groups they think might be a threat to international security. Just these three powers alone give the government a big peek into our lives. These extra powers help the government do its job and stop sneaky political stuff from happening without them knowing. 

   When we watch or read the news, they talk a lot about wars in America, but they hardly ever talk about all the people who are against them or the bad stuff that comes with them. I recently found out about websites like ANTIWAR.COM and The American Conservative (TAC), and it's no surprise I hadn't heard of them before. Even when I searched "stop war" on Google, those sites didn't show up until way later in the search results because of how Google ranks stuff. The writers on those sites have really different views from what we usually hear from both sides of politics. They see war as a really bad thing, almost like legal murder that starts a recession. And they say they're talking about what's best for America, not just what helps one political party. That kind of talk can scare American politicians who often do stuff that's more about helping their party and their candidate than what's actually good for the country.

Blog Post 7

Internet Privacy

    The internet can be a scary place. People always say that once you put something online, it's there forever even if you delete it. Nowadays, even if you try to refrain from using social media or keep your info private online, you still leave a digital trail. Just walking around outside can create a digital footprint thanks to facial recognition software. Along with photos, your digital footprint is created by using your credit score, Wikipedia searches, or even your Yelp reviews. Basically, everything we do online gets tracked, and companies can buy and analyze that data. Unless we no longer use the internet, hide from every camera, and only use cash, we're always going to be monitored through our digital footprints.

   The tech in our U.S. cities is seriously top notch. It can follow our every move, figure out what we're up to, and even guess where we're headed next. It's like something out of a spy movie happening in our own backyards. Take automatic license plate readers, for example, are meant to catch the criminals - those with outstanding warrants.  Those same devices are also watching regular folks. You might find yourself on a watch list just because of where you go or what you do, even if you're not doing anything wrong.

    Simply carrying our cell phones means we're sort of being stalked. Whenever our phones connect with cell towers, there is a map of where we've been. Though a purpose may be served, you have to wonder the reason law enforcement needs to know everyone's whereabouts at all times. We're supposed to have freedom in America, but if you're always being spied on, it feels like that freedom isn't so free after all.

    If we change how we browse the internet just a little, we can get more privacy online. Let's chat about cookies. You know, those tiny things that websites ask about letting in? They're bits of info sent from your device to the website's server when you visit. They claim it's to improve your browsing, but it's really a sneaky way for companies to spy on what you're up to online and make a profile of you based on what you like and do. Saying no to cookies can help boost our digital privacy a bit.

Blog Post 9

 Is AI Evil?

   Throughout history, thinkers guessed that humans would keep getting better and smarter and continue to make materials that would create an easier life. Over the years, we've had all kinds of amazing tools like vacuums, typewriters, and iPhones that were supposed to make life more easy. People thought AI would be another cool thing to help us out, but it's causing some unexpected problems. AI has already replaced some basic jobs, and many worry this trend will continue, making it hard for people with limited educational backgrounds to find work.

    Furthermore, the traditional belief that inventions are solely meant to grant us additional leisure time has been challenged by the emergence of Artificial Intelligence. Rather than facilitating human creativity and expression, AI has transformed into a readily accessible provider of instant art, significantly impacting the livelihoods of genuine human artists. Additionally, AI generates art by appropriating the works of artists, analyzing their styles, and replicating them without acknowledgement. This unethical practice not only undermines the original creators but also fails to credit the human sources that serve as inspiration for its creations.

    A good example from the media is a game called Detroit: Become Human. The game involves AI taking over the jobs of normal people. The masses are divided between keeping the androids because they are making their lives better and the people who are upset about the androids taking their jobs. This leads to the androids rebelling against the humans to protect themselves from those who endorse violence on them. I feel as if this is a somewhat accurate representation of what the future could hold if AI keeps continues in the direction is it going.

  

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to have a big impact, but it's not all good news. While AI can do simple tasks, it's still new and not always reliable. Plus, there's a dark side—AI has been using writers work without permission and not giving them credit. And it's not just about art; some people are worried that AI will make job inequality worse. If it only takes easy jobs, what about folks who can't afford to go to college? Will AI just make the rich even richer? We'll have to wait and see how it all pans out.