Blog Post #5

Revolutionized Connections: A Journey Through the Evolution of Communication Innovations

Communication has had a significant amount of changes that deserves designated recognition to reflect upon. From the evolution of communication from the use of carrier pigeons to the news trends of today's age such as the use of the iPhone or now trending brands such as Netflix, communication has developed vastly in a variety of ways, recognizing the importance of communication and what makes it possible in todays society.

After listening to the class presentations, there were two presentations that sparked my interest, representing change in the technological advancements and overall growth of societies communication sources. For starters, carrier pigeons were used from the Middle Ages to the 1800s as a form of communication with commerce, navigation, and especially as a way of contacting the military. Many residents sent messages by pigeons in balloons in such significant occurrences of history. Carrier pigeons were originally bred and found to be trained to deliver messages. This occurred while using a magnetic internal compass inside of the pigeon to help navigate them to whichever direction was intended.

One thing I learned from the presentation in class that I did not already know is that carrier pigeons are referred to as "Homing Birds". This is due to them having what is called "homing" instincts, meaning whoever bred and trained them, or has had a brief interaction worthwhile the pigeons senses, the pigeon will easily find itself back to or toward the person it had its previous attachment to. This is similar to the example of babies being attached to their mother and father at first touch of skin, and an instant attachment bonding them for life right after birth. Aside from their quick and observant attachment style, carrier pigeons have precise strength of eyesight, hearing, and smell, making them even more adaptable, clever, and reliable in terms of what they were used for and why they were so efficient with it.

It can be understood that a lot has changed in the world's way of communication since the carrier pigeon days. One of the most changes in todays society is the creation of the cinematic picture, and certain brands and platforms that now allow movie-watching access at someones ease and viewers best convenience. Netflix is an American video/movie streaming service. This platform distributes a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, and more. With just the purchase of a subscription plan, anyone can watch any picture show of their choosing, from the comfort and convenience of their own home, car, or destination of their choosing on both a television, computer screen, mobile device, or any other device that allows the installation of the application!

One thing I learned from the presentation about Netflix that I did not already know is that the two creators, Marc Randolph and reed Hastings originally did not intend for Netflix to be a streaming service of this current manner. Netflix was originally launched in 1998 as a direct delivery DVD mail subscription service site. VHS were first considered, then the higher costs were recognized and the DVD use was discovered and begun to be used. The company is known for firstly working in this manner, but soon developed into what is now one of the most successful streaming services with over millions of subscribers to this day.

As stated, sources of communication have grown enormously, causing immense change in todays society. Pigeons became SMS messages, letters became emails, newspapers became the internet, and telephones became smartphones. The internet and such strengths behind new and improved technologies such as these have created communication changes in the way we work and live. Overall, our newest technologies have made it easier for people to connect with one another regardless of location- and simpler to live simple.

Blog Post #4

 Sparking the Information Age: The Invention of the Telegraph and Its Global Impact

   The printing press was the first big communication-oriented innovation until the creation of the telegraph was developed. While printing with the printing press continued to offer the opportunity for mass messaging for years even after the creation of the telegraph, the telegraph offered stronger, greater, and more vast opportunities, especially for enabling instant communication over vast distances for the first time in history. In the early days of the Industrial Revolution, there was a growing desire for more faster and reliable communication sources for businesses between government offices, especially due to mostly being located far distances apart. 

Samuel Finley Breese (F.B) Morse is the name behind the collaboration to the inventing of the single-wire telegraph system between 1832-1835. His reason for inventing the telegraph was after overhearing a conversation about electromagnetism when he was traveling to the United States from Europe on a ship, that inspired his idea for this creation. He had no training in knowledge of electricity, however he did realize and understand that pulses of electrical current could convey information over wires. The telegraph was first developed and begun working on in the year of 1832. Morse developed and finalized the patent for this first electrical recording telegraph in the year of 1837. 

During this time of innovational importance and growth for Mr. Samuel F.B. Morse, he decided there was a need for a simpler use to this telegraph, to potentially make communication even easier than this. Morse collaborated with his dear friend, Alfred Vail, and invented the Morse Code (1838). This is a system for representing alphabetical letters, punctuation, and numerals, within the arrangement of dashes, dots and spaces. This was looked at as a way of sending and receiving text messages using short and long beeps. Using this code allowed for transmission of detailed messages across telegraph lines (within those further distances). 

While the invention of the telegraph was soaring, it began very much necessary and quite impactful during this era. While the Industrial Revolution was in occurrence until 1840, the telegraph was one of the greatest industrial upbringings. The telegraph was beneficial in ways of being used to facilitate growth in the railroads, merge the financial and stock markets, and reducing costs between firms such as those. It had a great impact in both the world of innovation and business.

Not only was it beneficial for businesses and during the era of Industry, but it also had vast impacts on the results and accessed advantages in the Civil War (1861-1865). Besides being know for its rapid release of information, telegraphs worked to allow newspapers and government officials to act on occurrences much faster during the war, and even the enabled railroads to allow front lines to be filled with forces of troops and necessary supplies, at a quicker, more efficient rate.

Furthermore, with the ability to access telegrams during the war, military campaigns and fought battles were more efficient at a stronger advantage. According to the History Channel the telegraph allowed generals, even the President to have more reliable ways of contact with the war and being able to issue commands and direction of forces more precisely. 

Though the telegraph can be recognized for achieving many unthought of possibilities and shares extreme growth in the history of communication, there are some disadvantages found within this form of communication technology. For starters, messages could easily be misunderstood. Simply miscommunication. This happens in all forms of communication even today. Thought the telegraph was a killer piece of technology for this time and benefited so much growth with the American culture, mistakes could be made and communication could be misunderstood. Another notable disadvantage of the telegraph was the overall complexity of the Morse Code. Morse Code was an amazing use of language to potentially help make the transmission of messages clearer through the use of the telegraph, however the code itself was tricky to understand and even harder to interpret, so that made many people tend to avoid it. Especially, with both these disadvantages at stake it would be better to receive no message than a misunderstood, falsely interpreted message- especially if it were in a situation political or financially-based. 

Despite the telegraphs disadvantages that impacted our history and newest forms of communication in society today, the telegraph represents overall positive change in growth of communication to this day. The telegraph transformed how wars were fought, how money was sent, how media impacted business, and so much more. Rather than sending news by pigeon, or horse and taking weeks for it to get there, or by not communicating throughout lines to access shipped goods and supplies through railroads, communication would not be where it is today without the innovation of the telegraph.

Blog Post #3

The Value of Expression and Tolerance in Society

Free expression is the American right to express one's thoughts and to be able to communicate freely despite others opinions, actions and thoughts. This value allows each American individual to realize and use their own human identity. One of the eight values of our right to free expression is to promote tolerance. Whether it is tolerance of speech or action, its effectiveness gives in its ability to channel controversial disagreements toward productive societal changes. Free expression characterizes the level of tolerance that society allows individuals to use in their willingness to voice conflicting opinions or statements.

One of the eight values of free expression being to promote tolerance, includes promoting the tolerance of speech and expression such as crucial acts of hatred including the topic of hate speech. Hate speech can be detrimental to individuals in society, but we as equal individuals should understand that promotion of tolerance toward hate speech does not protect us within the government from criticism. The people in society can manage their own speech themselves. This is the idea of self-control in knowing that society is strengthened by refraining from such acts of cruelty, and practicing the exercise of tolerance.

Furthermore, as stated by Lee Bollinger "The First Amendment needs constant minding in order that its full meaning be preserved." Continuing, Bollinger has explored free speech issues while examining various studies in law, extremism, obscenity, and public access to mass media. Bollinger argues that hate speech should be protected, and the government should not have to shield us from it. He explains that all humans should be capable of expressing their opinions whether involving criticism or not. Bollinger believes hate speech is critical to display in society because it acknowledges individuals in society communicating with the government, knowing that all humans are given the right to speak their opinion.

Promoting tolerance in society is important to understand because while individuals are allowed to express themselves through saying whatever they want to say (with their own right), it can make individuals and institutions more open to ideas and actions they may originally have disagreement with. In terms of examples of this, social media has a lot to play into some crucial and controversial ways of spreading criticism and such hateful expression. 

Social media is a platform where anyone can represent and share with the world, however, it may be taken out of hand, too easily. Twitter, for starters. In a CBS News article, it is recognized that Twitter saw an immediate spike in hate speech after Elon Musk took over. Twitter's staff looked at tweets within his first twelve hours of ownership and saw vulgar and hostile use of rhetoric comments at people based on their race, ethnicity, and sexuality. Such vulgar language can be so easily abused on such a simple and easy-to-use platform-which is unfortunate in regards to the vast population and demographic of users in today's generation. Social media can take such little doses of information, and spread within a matter of light- speed. Posting on such prevalent platforms of social media, can cause more harm since there are far more repercussions of a generally large population of viewers, who will see the post, and either strongly or disagree with what is said. Everyone is allowed to express their opinion, which is understood. It is just a matter of who is listening to it and if they feel like they need to benefit from listening to it. In reality, promoting tolerance is thought of and meant to allow individuals in society to say whatever they want to say, with the repercussion of knowing there is disagreement.

However, out of the eight values of free expression, I find the idea of Individual self-fulfillment to resonate the most with me. With this free expression, it gives all individuals in society the ability to express themselves and create their own identity. This can be started with the natural given right to form your own beliefs and opinions AND the right to express those beliefs and/or opinions. Overall, the purpose of society is to allow all individuals to promote the welfare of ones self-fulfillment, meant for each person to be their own person, while accepting that from others. Not only does this value create individuality for oneself and the idea that all individuals in society are equal, but it is meant to allow everyone to be their own person, have their own values, and express their own rights. This is what makes everyone in society equal, while making everyone in society different from one another too.

Blog Post #2

Behind the Bench: Exploring the Intriguing History and Inner Workings of the United States Supreme Court

It can be recognized that the U.S Supreme Court is the highest court and holds the highest, overruling power in the federal judiciary of the United States. However, after watching the video and reading the Historic overview from the History Channel, I have gained a stronger understanding of its history and importance. 

One piece of information that I did not know since before reviewing this video and reading the overview is that there was only one Justice that was ever impeached. This information is intriguing to me because to be quite honest, I had no clue that the only way that someone who holds place as Supreme Court Justice, can only ever be removed by being impeached. I did not know this, and am yet surprised that only one has ever been impeached (Samuel Chase, 1805).

The most important takeaway from this video about the Supreme Court is the entire process of voting in the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee votes to send an official nomination to the senate. To pass and confirm the nominee, the official full senate votes. This occurs by the senate holding a series of hearings with the nominees, The official vote involves a majority vote of the senate to pass. This is the most important take-away in my opinion because I did not know that the nominee has to pass hearings and go through an entire entry-like process before even being officially considered to vote. I had thought only the senate would have hearings and reject or accept the nominee. I did not know that there is an entire committee involved prior to that decision. This intrigues me because it is so interesting to find out that there is so much more unseen or unheard of acts that occur within the duties of power and getting there.

The most surprising information I learned is that there were not always nine Supreme Court Justices appointed. This surprised me because I did not know that George Washington had originally specified that the court would have six justices. I had no clue that there had been nine appointed only since 1869. 

The information from the History Channel changed my perspective on the Supreme Court and opened my eyes to see all the good that they do, enhancing my knowledge and respect for them. Recognizing how they are set solely on our Constitution, helps me see the bigger picture of the Supreme Courts loyalty and the capabilities it has for our country. When the Supreme Court rules on a Constitutional issue, that judgment is final. 

Blog Post #1

Navigating the Digital Age: My Top Five Platforms for Staying Informed and Connected

 In today’s society, sources of information differentiate and spread in a variety of ways. While people view and share information through only a few sources of media or access to information, I can confidently say that I only access and use information through the use of five sources. These sources are through the use of social media.

              

1. Instagram

I gain access to adapt to and share information through the use of Instagram. I enjoy finding information through Instagram because is simple, and fit to satisfy each users liking. Instagram is used by sharing posts or comments that are suggested by mutual followers or friends, and Instagram has features such as showing information with you and your account based on who you follow, what types or categories of photos or videos you interact with, and what is suggested for you based on what your most common interests are.

2. LinkedIn

I also access news and most sources of information through LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professionally-based app which directs potential students, employees, job hunters, and career matchmakers to find what they are looking for, whether internship or career path. This is a great way to meet professional and/or academic connections, whilst keeping updated in current business information, large corporate business news, or even small advertisements for companies looking for employees. I usually use LinkedIn to help me expand my network and find fellow students or peers in the same career field as me, as inspiration or idea of what next steps I should take for potential future possibilities.

3. TikTok

TikTok is one of the biggest and most popular social media platforms that the general population uses as a source to access and network information today in society. The rapid increase of TikTok users today have lead to results of consistent decline of of journalism engagement and news engagement in other social media platforms such as Facebook and X. TikTok has similar features to Instagram whereas viral and suggested videos based on the account owners interests are shown, and any popular or most-commonly streaming videos are represented and reposted, spreading the information and video footage of any new information or news more vastly to larger populations of the brands users. 

4. Snapchat

I use Snapchat as another way of accessing and sharing news. Snapchat allows accessibility to group chats, texting, picture taking and receiving, and news article tab features. Usually when swiping left on the Snapchat application, all Snapchat users have access to a variety of different news articles separated in multiple gridded segments that can easily be scrolled through. In these news article tabs celebrity news can be found, sports news, current happenings across the nation, controversial scandals, and more commonly recognized situations that are recognized in any other media channel. Not only is it a great way to gain access to important information, but it is also a great way of keeping mutual connections.

5. Word-of-Mouth

As my fifth and final source, hearing informative news through word-of-mouth is the most commonly source of news and information in my life. I grew up with a very opinionated family upbringing so I usually hear any political, widely controversial, or most significant worldwide news through word-of-mouth through my personal life when I am home with my father, mother, and my two brothers. I hear different perspectives and take on information based on who I am talking to, their personal beliefs, and how they heard and/or are displaying this information.

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