Discussion and Response Homework
sinister670
InternetHomework.docx1. Minimum 350 words (include citation where it is needed as well as the reference)
1) What is meant by the term "Digital Divide" in relation to the Internet? Which groups of people are most negatively affected by the Digital Divide, and why? What are some of the consequences of the Digital Divide to both individuals and society? 2) What is the impact of free speech on the Internet and how does this relate to censorship? Should information on the Internet be filtered? Should there be an "acceptable and appropriate" standard for information posted online? Why or why not? How might the filtering of pornographic sites relate to political censorship and distribution of propaganda? 3) Provide the URL of at least two sites that discuss the impact of the Internet on any one of the concepts discussed this week and provide a brief review of the information contained there. Did you learn anything new? Were you surprised by any of the information presented on the site?
2. Minimum 150 Words respond to discussion
It's a funny thing to think that even after mostly growing up without the internet, I've learned to rely on it very heavily. I used to think it was nearly impossible to go to a place that isn't connected, but then I moved to Alaska haha. It was at that point I truly noticed a piece of the digital divide, but it's not just in isolated or rural places, as there can also be an economic or political aspect that contributes to the cause of the digital divide ("Digital Divide", n.d.). The people most affected by the divide are generally underprivileged members of society and can include the poor, the elderly, and others ("Digital Divide", n.d.).
Some of the consequences of the divide include a lack of opportunity, whether that be in education, training, and the lack of a voice. I think it's most important for those who are unable to participate to have the opportunity to have a voice with access to a computer and the internet should they wish.
When it comes to free speech on the internet, it can be a difficult topic to address. I don't necessarily think people really know what "free speech" actually means, especially since I frequently see the phrase "I have the right to free speech" on social media. A private company can censor people all day long, and they have the authority to do just that on their own platforms. The Government however, should not be censoring people unless they are actively doing something illegal.
I don't think most information on the internet should be filtered, obviously there are limits where legality is concerned (human trafficking, under age pornography, etc). I think it's a little disingenuous for YouTube to filter specific things because their policy on firearms, but yet its acceptable to show how to manufacture high quality fertilizer, or other controversial topics. It screams to me of the bandwagon effect, and mostly a way for a company to provide an appearance of a political stance. I also don't think corporations should get involved in politics, or use their influence to that end.
When it comes to pornography on the internet, I don't really have anything against it provided there is consent and the participants are legally able to perform those acts, and they're the same species I guess, since that evidently is a thing haha (Nash, 2015). I could see how restriction of pornography on the internet might be a form of Governmental censorship, but I'm curious as to why they would do that. The only reasons I can think of for government censorship of pornography is to cut down on human trafficking, and maybe other tangential illicit activities. My opinion is if they censor pornography, they should also outlaw gambling at casinos and other 'vices', since arguably they are all related.
The first URL I will be looking at is from the digital divide discussion, located at this link. I learned that there are several government and private initiatives to help reduce the digital divide ("Digital Divide", n.d.). I think that's great and can provide access to those who don't yet have it. Although I wonder what limitations that puts on users of those initiatives. On the surface, I support these programs, and would hope that the beneficiaries of these programs are not given increased limitations on the use of the net.
The second URL is located at this link. It discusses the effort to reduce access pornography in the UK, and how adults have to "opt-in" to receive pornographic material on their home internet (Nash, 2015). I don't quite know how to feel about that, because a person should have the autonomy to choose whether or not to view it, in the privacy of their own home especially without consent or knowledge from their neighborhood ISP. The person should also have the right to not be bombarded with advertisements for pornography as I'm sure we all have experienced either in our email or on a website. I guess I'm somewhere in the avenue of, don't filter me unless I ask for it, and if I stumble onto pornography or whatever on the net, I can just as easily navigate away from it. I would not want to limit someone else's access because I am not mature enough to decide what content to consume, and must have that decision made unilaterally for me by a company. Also, and this is probably the key takeaway, why are people having sex with animals? What possible benefit is there in that? How is that even a market? I'm so confused by the entire concept lol.
References
Digital Divide. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2018, from https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs181/projects/digital-divide/start.html
Nash, V. (2015, July 06). Pornography and digital rights. Retrieved from https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/vicki-nash/pornography-and-digital-freedom
3. Minimum 150 Words respond to discussion
1. What is meant by the term "Digital Divide" in relation to the Internet? Which groups of people are most negatively affected by the Digital Divide, and why? What are some of the consequences of the Digital Divide to both individuals and society?
The digital divide, in relation to the internet, is the term used for those of us who have access to high speed, uncensored internet access and for those who either do not have internet access or censored internet access.The internet brings a wealth of information, including educational information.The people of a government that censors anything are adversely affected.The internet provides insight into so many different cultures, opportunities and lifestyles.This in itself is awesome.The US has its share of biased news feeds and other media channels that promote and support who supports them.At least we know they are biased and we choose them.Countries that provide biased reporting because that is how they want their people to think is unfortunate.These are the folks most affected.
2) What is the impact of free speech on the Internet and how does this relate to censorship? Should information on the Internet be filtered? Should there be an "acceptable and appropriate" standard for information posted online? Why or why not? How might the filtering of pornographic sites relate to political censorship and distribution of propaganda?
No, the information on the internet should not be filtered.Filtering adult or inappropriate content because they have underage children living at home is one thing.Having work filter non-work related topics such as gambling, pornography or streaming movie sites, they can.We are allowed freedom of speech but we cannot yell out “fire” in a crowded theatre.We can however write “fire” and an actor can scream “fire” during a movie.Written words, even if inappropriate or painful should not be filtered.Pornography is not my favorite.I like watching hunting and fishing videos.Animals are sometimes killed in the videos I watch.It would be unfair for me to say that it is ok to watch an animal die but not ok to watch people have sex.Censorship can creep up fairly quickly by eliminating what at first seems harmless.
3) Provide the URL of at least two sites that discuss the impact of the Internet on any one of the concepts discussed this week and provide a brief review of the information contained there. Did you learn anything new? Were you surprised by any of the information presented on the site?
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/11/how_the_internet_works_in_north_korea.html
The first link I included was how the internet works in North Korea. It does not surprise me that internet access is forbidden except to a very select few. Most of the information given to the North Korean people is propaganda created by the government. One of the ways North Korea controls its population is to suppress or skew information.
The second article discusses how Twitter banned over a quarter of a million accounts because they promoted terrorism. This does not surprise me either. It reinforces my lack of enthusiasm over certain social media outlets. If I do not like what is on my radio I have the fingers to change the dial. My children were all raised to be strong enough to have their own opinions and they can change the dial themselves too! If I wanted to know about terrorism Twitter blocking my access would not stop me. Twitter should however have the right to block anyone that does not share their opinions. It is their service, their rules.
