Chapter 2: Video and Reading Connections

Name: Tom Burtless Class time: 11 a.m.

1. Explain data mining:

Data mining is done by collecting personal information from public records, semi-public records and private records. Information Brokers create profiles off of the data from those 3 sources. Scraping is also done on Facebook profiles to get any other possible information. People make money off of selling these profiles and this data (based off of whatever information they can possibly obtain).

2. Relate data mining to privacy issues, specifically citing something you read in Baase, Orwell, etc.

Data mining allows people’s entire lives to be sold on the Internet. Baase discusses in pages 49 to 50 the risks of personal data on the Internet. The first bullet point he makes at the bottom of page 49 states “Anything we do online is recorded, at least briefly, and linked to our computer, if not our name.” Data mining reaps the benefits of this information being constantly recorded. Websites have privacy options, but once you have put information out into the Internet it is likely going to stay there.

3. Explain Ashley Paynes’s situation:

Ashley Payne was forced to resign from her school after an email was sent to her superintendent stating that her Facebook page contained pictures with alcohol and swear words. Ashley Payne’s profile was set private so that only her friends would be able to see her pictures. The email was allegedly sent by a parent, but Ashley did not have any friends that were parents of her students. How a parent would have possibly gotten these pictures is a mystery.

4. Were Ashley Payne’s rights violated? Did the school district have just cause for asking for her resignation? Base your answers off of what you have learned about privacy, show connections to Baase, Orwell, etc and support your opinion.

Based off the article that detailed the email that was sent to the superintendent, it seems as if the school district might have reacted too quickly in asking for Payne’s resignation. In Orwell’s book, citizens of Oceania are not able to think or do anything outside of what Big Brother deems acceptable. Also, citizens are constantly being watched, or at least think they are constantly being watched. In this story, Ashley Payne was being punished for something the school considered unacceptable. However, what Payne posted on the Internet was not directly linked to the school nor was it placed in the classroom. Payne did something that was private, and only supposed to be shared with herself and her friends on Facebook. It seems scary that the school was instantly assume that this teacher, whom never received any prior complaint, would be trying to pedal thoughts of alcohol and swearing to students.

5. Summarize the video “Police surveillance cameras are stopping crime or invading their privacy by Alex Dunbar.”

In this video, 9 surveillance cameras were set in up in Syracuse to see if they could forgo any potential crime. While police officials stated that crime has gone down 33%, many citizens worry about being watched constantly. They also question on how often the cameras would be in use and who would be watching them. The police officials also stated the cameras were only for crime protection.

6. Are police surveillance and traffic cameras are stopping crime or invading your privacy? Base your answers off of what you have learned about privacy, show connections to Baase, Orwell, etc and support your opinion.

7.

I believe that this is half and half. Based off what Baase states about video surveillance in 2.2, it seems a bit scary to rely on this technology given its failure percentage (50% failure/ mismatch of criminals faces in the 2001 SuperBowl). However, given what the police officials stated in the video, if video surveillance is cutting down crime a good percentage, then I think it can be acceptable. However, this is only acceptable if the people behind the cameras are using it only for crime detection and no other purpose.

A Gift of Fire: Reading/Thoughts Sections 1.3 to 1.4

Tom Burtless Class time:11 – 11:50

KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (excluding reference page)

Author: Sara Baase

Date of Publication: 2008

Book: A Gift of Fire

Sections read: 1.3 – 1.4

1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:

a. While technology can improve many aspects of life, it can also create new unforeseen issues. 

b. When new technology is developed, ethics and rules behind the use of that technology new to be developed carefully.

c. Ethics cannot be categorized into one field or another. There are multiple theories of explaining ethics.

2. (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?

Within the section 1.3, Baase discusses that there are issues with any new emerging technology. The author uses the example of an ATM, which can have harmful effects from implementation that aren’t usually looked into. She discusses the areas of unemployment, alienation, crime, loss of privacy, and errors within the ATM’s system. Baase then discusses how these issues do have solutions and the reason we accept some issues with that technology is the convenience it provides. The author then moves on to the topic of Themes, in which Baase describes the variety of topics discussed in the book and how they are relevant to technology.

In section 1.4, Baase discusses ethics in relation to technology. Baase presents several outlooks of ethics from the standpoint of Deontological, Ulitarianism, and natural rights. Baase discusses the strengths of each point of view but how all of them have flaws in determining what is ethically right to do. Baase discusses that situations are too complex to be placed under one outlook. The author closes out section 1.4 and chapter one discussing distinctions in ethics. Through out this sub section, the author details several situations where ethical views may be conflicting,

3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?

A solution to the issues set forth in both section 1.3 and 1.4 revolve around understanding a piece of technology’s true impact on society. In order for all the issues set in place (as discussed in section 1.3) to be resolved, any possible disadvantage of a new technology must be made aware. Is the convenience of shopping on the Internet for clothing worth the local clothing store going out of business and people losing jobs? Is typing your credit card information on that online website going to be safe?

Ethical questions need to be raised whenever a new piece of technology is put into place. How that technology can be used, what it is used for, and who can use it all raise significant ethical questions. If a new computer is built to be used by the military that can launch nuclear missiles, who is to obtain the right to use such a machine? When would the machine need to be used?

4. (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.

In section 1.4, the author discusses ethics in great detail. Not only how it relates to technology, but to all human forms of contact. Ethical situations are faced every day in almost every aspect of life. From my own personal experience, I have had to deal with ethically challenging situations.

I work in a retail environment selling electronics to people and am pushed by my management to sell warranty plans. Now, some devices I think might require such a warranty plan. However, I’m pushed to sell ones for devices that I don’t think require one. Is it ethical for me to sell a product that I don’t believe a customer requires?

This situation can be looked at from the Deontological theory, where me lying to the customer if they ask, “Do you think I need this?” is considered unethical. Through utilitarianism, the impact of me telling that customer that they do need the product increases utility to my managers and the company I work for. However, down the line, it may decrease the utility of the customer when they realize they never needed the warranty.

This section applies to Bloom’s taxonomy in the analysis stage, where ethics can most certainly be applied to situations outside technology. The synthesis stage is also crucial in ethics and issues, because people differ in supporting the ideas displayed in the book.

5. (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?

I do agree with what is being stated in these sections of the chapter, because with each new development in technology we face more ethical questions and growing issues. I back my statement up with an article from Medical News Today, which discusses a possible link of cell phones to cancer (Nordqvist).

This article raises questions of convenience versus possible health risks. Is our health and well being worth being able to contact or be contacted? This may be a difficult question to ask depending on who you are. Along with that, is it ethical for cell phone companies to sell these products with no cancer-warning label? The new conclusion that I draw from this is that no matter how small or large the technological implication, there can be drastic outcomes. 

6. (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter? 

These topics are relevant now more than ever in society. For instance, on the issue of SOPA, ACTA, and PIPA, there are many ethical questions to be asked. In an article from Wired.com, the author discusses how a group of rebellious hackers named Anonymous hacked a web server in rebellion of ACTA, which is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Quinn). ACTA, which was designed to protect copyright infringement, has also been link to possibly “curtail freedom of expression on the Internet.” This clearly raises ethical issues within the use of legislation towards the Internet. How can we try to protect but at the same type not disable? How does Anonymous have the ethical grounds to hack a web server because companies are sick of having their products pirated? There are many questions raised in this situation.

After reading this chapter, I will look beyond the immediate gratification of technology. I will look into how technology needs to be dealt with carefully and delicately. Ethically I will try to look at situations from not only a personal perspective, but from all the perspectives defined by Baase.

References

Nordqvist, Christian. "Cellphones Possibly Linked To Cancer Risk In Humans, World Health Organization." Medical News Today: Health News. 31 May 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. .

Quinn, Norton. "Anonymous Promises Regularly Scheduled Friday Attacks | Threat Level | Wired.com." Wired.com. 17 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. .

GMO's: Assignment 1

1)Remember when you were a tour guide for an Alien? The Alien is back and wants to understand what a GMO is. Explain this information to the Alien. 
 
A GMO is a Genetically Modified Organism. What that means essentially is that it is an organism whose genetic structure (DNA) is changed for a wide variety of reasons. An organism is a life form.  DNA is the building block for every organism. Within our DNA is all the information for our genetic make up that gets passed down to our offspring (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/DNA). Now how GMO works is that it takes DNA from multiple organisms and combines them together for a new organism. For example in this article by the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/18/AR2010091803808.html) they discuss AquAdvantage salmon, which was given genes from other fish in order to make it grow twice as fast as normal salmon. DNA strands were used from other fishes and put in the salmon to achieve a certain product.

2) State the controversy associated with GMO’s. 

From reading these articles, the main controversy associated with GMO’s is health concerns. All the articles reference a possible health issue with GMO’s. In the Guardian UK’s article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jul/06/europe-gm-crop-bans) the author discusses how members of European Parliament are trying to ban the cultivation of GM crops in their locations. They don’t want GM products cultivated in their locations because of the severe environmental and socio-economical implications. Another one of the articles from the Institute for Responsible Technology (http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics) has a wide variety of information pertaining to potential health risks from GMO’s. The website discussed how animals fed GM crops had severe health issues including everything from disabled reproduction to death.

3) Are people’s reactions to GMO’s different in various regions of the world?
Explain with references.

Yes, people’s reactions to GMO’s do differ around the world. In the Washington Post article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/18/AR2010091803808_2.html) the article discusses how difficult it is to find GM food in the European Union and Japan. The reason for this is primarily based on the requirement of GMO labels on food. However, in the same article, it is discussed that there is no label in the US to determine if food is genetically modified or not.
In another article from the Guardian UK (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jul/06/europe-gm-crop-bans), the author discusses that the European Parliament is attempting to ban GM food from being cultivated in its territories. It seems that genetically modified food is both accepted for consumption and cultivation in our country, but being banned in other parts of the world for various environmental and health issues.


4) What’s your reaction to this topic?
Explain with references.

As I complete this assignment, I am currently eating Cheez-its and drinking an Arizona tea. Reading these articles is making think twice on the ingredient lists of those two products. I am very disturbed the United States hasn’t developed (or chooses not to develop) a labeling system for GMO’s. However based on the benefits listed in the Human Genome Project Information article (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml), it seems like genetically modifying foods can be beneficial in a big way. Genetically modifying food can allow food to be grown in areas of the world that it usually cannot. This could assist impoverished nations with cultivating food in areas that they could not previously.
However, my mind is torn on this topic. While HMO’s seem very harmful given the information listed on the Institute for Responsible Technology website (http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics), it seems like there can still be benefits to genetically modifying food.

5) Can GMO’s be changed? Should they be changed?
Explain with references.

Going based off what was stated in the previous question, GMO’s can be changed for the better given information from the Human Genome Project Information article (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml). They should be changed to exclude all the harmful modifications listed in the Institute for Responsible Technology article (http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics). The crops that have been created that killed a wide variety of animals who have consumed them need to have their genetic components altered.


6) While reading "Institute for Responsible Technology. GMO Basics (Also explore at least two of the other tabs on this page:http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics
" What were the two tabs that you explored? How did the information presented affect what you thought about GMO's?

The two tabs I explored on that website were the Fraud and GMO Dangers tabs. I already had some knowledge on this topic before this assignment, but didn’t look into the extensive damage caused by consuming GMO’s.
Under the GMO Dangers tab I found a list of extensive consequences that scientists had discovered based on their research of animals being fed GM products. This list, which includes a variety of issues with animal infants and birth problems/defects, made me think that there needs to be some sort of GMO labeling. If people are eating this food, they have a right to know what is going into it.
The Fraud tab on the website discusses how GMO companies had given a bias toward their product to look successful in a study being conducted. Implying that the non- GMO corn had been “wormy” because it didn’t have any alterations to its genetic make up is manipulation used towards a consumer. This makes me think that if GMO companies need to use such manipulative ways to prove their product is better, their might be some skeletons buried in their closet.

7) Typing out the exact quote from any of the readings (and referencing it) list one powerful statement that you read.
Put the statement in context and explain why this statement was powerful enough to remember. (What made you react to this information?)

From the Institute of Responsible Technology article (http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics), I found this quote:
“The plants themselves are toxic, and not just to insects. Farmers in India, who let their sheep graze on Bt cotton plants after the harvest, saw thousands of sheep die!”
This article was discussing how some crops have been genetically altered (like the Bt cotton plants) to produce their own pesticide. As a result of this, animals who have eaten or grazed the genetically modified plant have died. This made me react more than any of the other lines in any of the other articles because of the sever implications GMO’s can have on animals. What does that mean for us? How will our health be affected from eating genetically modified crops or animals? This quote was powerful because it raises those kind of questions.

Assignment #4: Critical thinking #2

Name: Tom Burtless Class time: 11 – 11:50
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (excluding reference page)

Author: Levi Rickert
Date of Publication: February 3rd, 2012
Article: Menominee Seventh Grader Suspended for Saying “I Love You” in her Native Language

1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this article:

a. A 7th grade Menominee girl was suspended from her basketball game because she was teaching a fellow student how to say ‘hello’ and ‘I love you’ in the Menominee language.

b. When the girl asked the assistant coach of her team what she had done wrong, the assistant coach said two teachers had stated she had a bad attitude.

c. A ‘real generic letter of apology, that did not go into specifics as to why there was this apology’ was sent out to parents and guardians.

2. (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this article?

In this article, a 7th grade girl named Miranda was trying to teach one of her classmates ‘hello and ‘I love you’ in the Menominee language. Her teacher became upset because she didn’t know what Miranda was saying. Another teacher became upset based on the first teacher being upset. Both teachers told the basketball assistant coach to bench and suspend Miranda because she had a bad attitude. Miranda’s mother went to the school to figure out what had happened, only to find out that the reason for her daughter’s suspension was a result of speaking those two phrases in the Menominee language. The situation caused the school to send out a public apology to Miranda. It was deemed by her mother to be a very generic apology that didn’t specify why there was such an apology in the first place.


3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?

A solution for this problem or any other type of problem where someone doesn’t understand a language or culture could be to learn the language or culture. The school that this occurred in has over 60% Native American students. The school is located 6 miles from the Menominee Indian Tribe Reservation. The teacher, knowing all of these facts, still discriminated against the girl for speaking her native language. To solve the language barrier issue the teacher could’ve asked Miranda what the words she stated translate to, or to look up the words herself. The teacher could’ve been respectful to Miranda’s heritage and culture.


4. (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.

Another idea that can be added to this issue would be one occurring in Anne Arundel county where a councilman is trying to enact a law to make English the official language of that county (McCorkell). Under the guise of stopping illegal immigration, the law does more than that. It suppresses the notion that America is a melting pot of different cultures, languages, and ideas. By establishing that only one language is to be used in a part of America throws out the melting pot concept all together.
This article applies to Bloom’s taxonomy through understanding and comprehending the article and the point it is trying to get across. From there, through application and analysis, other events that are occurring in America can be related to the same concept occurring within this article.


5. (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?

I agree with what is being said in this article because the teacher didn’t allow Miranda to speak her native language in class. The last line of an article I found recounting the same event states, “Our young people have no issues with happily coexisting in our melting pot of multi-languages and multi-cultures. It’s the so-called adults who need to come to grips with reality.” (Cepeda) The fact that the teacher not only disallowed Malinda’s native language to be spoken in class, but also the fact she got her suspended from her basketball game have lead me to agree with this article. She committed these actions under the guise of Malind engaging in ‘bad behavior.’
After reading this material, the conclusion I’ve made is that discrimination is still alive in America. People are uncomfortable with seeing and hearing other cultures that they do not understand. Instead of trying to understand that culture, people, like this teacher, try to banish it.



6. (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?

This topic is very relevant in society. Doing a Google search of ‘language discrimination’ I came upon an article discussing how a councilman named Jerry Walker is trying to pass a law to make English the official language of Anne Arundel, a county located between Baltimore and Washington D.C (McCorkell). The idea behind the law is to stop illegal immigration, but it shows a lack of regard for a language and culture other than English/American. Forcing people to learn English and forgo their own culture/language goes against what this country was founded upon.
I am viewing this topic this way due to my own experiences in high school. I went to a school in a community in which 97% of the population was white. In my class, I had a friend named Michael who was Muslim. He practiced his religion in school and received abuse and discrimination from our peers. While no physical harm was made to him, he had very little help from the faculty and staff in stopping the bullying that was occurring.
While the example I had experienced in my own life does not compare to the one discussed in the Menominee article, it still shows a lack of regard for cultures other than our own. After reading this article, the new ideas I have made are that cultural discrimination still exists and it needs to be fought through knowledge, tolerance, and understanding.



References

1.Cepeda, Esther. "Words Will Never Hurt Us - except in Wisconsin." GazetteXtra. 6 Feb. 2012. Web. 07 Feb. 2012.<http://gazettextra.com/news/2012/feb/06/words-will-never-hurt-usexcept-wisconsin/>.


2.McCorkell, Meghan. "Lawmaker Wants English To Be Official Language Of Anne Arundel County « CBS Baltimore." CBSlocal.com. 6 Feb. 2012. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. <http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/02/06/lawmaker-wants-english-to-be-official-language-of-anne-arundel-county/>.