Each One Teach One: Carrier Pigeons

    Carrier Pigeons EOTO

     In our Each One Teach One presentations, I learned so many new things about topics I would not have even realized would fit into the Communication Technology Timeline. This included the Carrier Pigeons presentation. I found the presentation so interesting because I would never have thought that pigeons would be a part of this timeline. Listening to Kristen's presentation was so much fun hearing about this history; I would not have learned it if we had not had these EOTO presentations. 

    I loved learning about how the carrier pigeons used their compass sense and map sense to find their destination and then return home. I have always wondered how people found out that they could be message carriers. I enjoyed the biblical reference that Kristen made to Noah and the dove when he sent it out to see if it was dry or not on the land. This relation in ideas to the pigeon carrier made so much sense, and it is fascinating how they have a natural sense of direction.

    We learned that animals, in general, have been used for communication since the beginning of time. They are extremely intelligent beings and the innovative idea to use them as means of communication when there was no technology was game-changing for long-distance communication. 

    We learned how vital they were during times of war because the factor of time could change history. They would be used to warn cities of war or invasions and were used to share important information, like during the Olympics. They played a significant role in the Franco-Prussian War, Civil War, and World War I. 

    Finally, I learned that that way of messaging decreased due to them carrying diseases and hunters killing them, lowering the population significantly. When thinking of pigeons now, I relate them to the millions of pigeons in New York City. It is crazy to think that they used to be such a vital part of communication in the world. Each One Teach One was a very beneficial project to learn more about the history of communication. 

The History of Social Media and it's Impact

History of Social Media 

Social media is a collective term for forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).  

The use of social media has rapidly grown since the end of the twentieth century and has changed how we communicate with others. There are currently an estimated 4.7 billion users around the world. Social networking sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube, have had many an immense impact on society by connecting the world and giving a close-up look into each other's lives. 

While most of the major social media that are popular today were created and developed during the 21st century, we see the first signs of social media were in 1844 with the telegraph, created by Samuel Morse, used to send messages to Washington D.C. The development of new technology over time, including the telephone, computer, and radio, sparked the revolution of social media.  

Positive Impacts 

Social media platforms from the beginning of the telegraph have given us a way to virtually connect with others. It has changed the way we communicate with others and the way we brand ourselves. 

Social media was created to be a form of instant connection and communication virtually. There is now a multitude of social networking sites and platforms that users and companies can use to share content, connect globally, grow brands, and share information. People are able to find employment opportunities and network on site and are able to acquire remote jobs from the comfort of their own homes. Media platforms also covered dating apps and websites such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Riya, and eharmony. This allows people match with potential love interests and find significant others with similar personalities, interests, and values.  

Social media platforms are also a main place of free expression where people can share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Although private companies can censor inappropriate content, it is still a marketplace of ideas where people can post discussions and topics of interest. People can find belonging within social media and meet others with similar view, values, and interests. Overall, everyone in the world has become more connected because of social media, and we have reaped the benefits of its creation and updates throughout the years.

Negative Impacts  

  Although social media was revolutionary for our world and the media, social media also had many negative impacts. Social media has significant effects on the mental health of users. Concerns about the effects of social media on mental health have been emphasized and brought to light in recent years. Many social media platforms have been found to increase rates rates of body dysmorphia, depression, suicidal thoughts, FOMO (fear of missing out), eating disorders, and anxiety. Research has explored the influence of social media and has shown that sometimes it is more hurtful than helpful. 

Social Media has also increased the amount of cyberbullying, adding to the effect that social media has on mental health. Harassment and bullying on an online platform has increased especially in an anonymous form. Access to direct contacts of others makes it so dangerous for anonymous bully as well as anonymous threats. Everyone's personal and private information can also be more easily exposed and permanently live on the internet. This causes an increase in stalking, identity theft, fraud, and account hacking. Although, this did increase the strength of cyber security and helped create better media laws on the internet. 

Overall, social media is ever-changing and will continue to evolve over the years and influence the way our society runs as a whole. Social media does not discriminate. It is used all around the world by users of all ages, races, religions, etc. Therefore, it affects us all and will continue to integrate into our daily lifestyles.  

The Eight Values of Free Expression

Free expression has been the foundation of our nation since the very beginning. It is the reason so many people from all over the world choose to come to America and chase the "American Dream." The values of free expression in America are enticing to many whose governments have silenced and restricted them from personal freedoms. The importance of free expression has been defined in eight ways: The Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, the Promotion of Tolerance, The Promotion of Innovation, and the Protection of Dissent. All eight values of free expression show the importance of our right to be genuinely and fully ourselves. 

When reflecting on the Eight Values of Free Expression, one that resonates the most with me is individual self-fulfillment or self-actualization. This is the human liberty given to us to express ourselves and create our own identities. I feel this value is most important because it is the basis of every other value. Our freedom of speech was described as "an aspect of human dignity, human agency, and autonomy." I believe that in order for us to make our own opinions and decisions, we need to be able to fully express and know ourselves before anything else. It is important that we know who we are as an individual, which is why individual self-fulfillment is a vital value of free expression.  

Another value of free expression that goes hand in hand with self-fulfillment is protection of dissent. In today's world, social media allows everyone to share their thoughts, views, and opinions with just the click of a button. Protection of dissent is so important especially in the tense political climate we are in today. As mentioned in Speech Theories, it states "In fact, it is your patriotic duty to criticize the government." Above I talked about how so many people travel to America in hopes to have the "American Dream." I believe that a huge part of the American Dream is free expression, and protection of dissent is a privilege to most who have had no personal freedoms, much less freedom of expression. 

Finally, Marketplace of Ideas is another value I feel is vital within the world of social media. This is the concept that different beliefs can be freely posted on the same platforms and not be censored by the government. Social media is mostly meant to be a marketplace of ideas where people are supposed to be able to freely express themselves to a certain extent. Currently, this value, as well as others, are being violated. Twitter has been seen working with the government to ban certain accounts that speak out against the government in a negative way. This censorship from the government through a private company is violating this value, and it makes me wonder just how much our government is actually giving us the freedoms we are meant to have promised to us. 

Overall, all eight values of free expression are vital to our society and our government. Being able to truly and freely be ourselves is what sets us a part from other countries and makes America what it is. 

The Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the head of the government's judicial branch and is the nation's highest federal court. It is the most powerful judiciary body on Earth. SCOTUS was established by the United States Constitution and has the power to make legal decisions and judgments on laws in the United States. They evaluate the constitutionality of laws and use their powers to keep the other two branches of government, executive and legislative, in check. 

The SCOTUS was originally made up of six Justices who serve on the court until they retire or die. Now there are currently nine Justices that are nominated by the President and confirmed or denied by the U.S. Senate. The highest judicial officer is the Chief Justice, who presides over the Supreme Court and sets the agenda for the weekly meetings. The Chief Justice also is required to preside over impeachment trials against the President. 

Something I was super surprised to learn about was that there are 100 new cases every week and about 7,000 a year that is considered to go to the Supreme Court. I also learned that there have only been about 100 Supreme Court Judges and Justices and I would have thought there would be way way more. The most important takeaway is the power that the Supreme Court holds and how much of an impact their decisions make in our nation as well as the world. SCOTUS has had many unprecedented cases that have greatly impacted our nation for better or worse. They have made landmark decisions in many major cases, including Brown V. Board of Education, Dred Scott v. Sandford, Roe v. Wade, and U.S. v. Nixon. The SCOTUS is revolutionary around the globe. Although I do not agree with all of the decisions made, I feel fortunate that we have this section of government that makes our Democracy and voice so much stronger. 

Top 5 News Sources

Karlee Sanderford's Top 5 News Sources 

Media Law and Literacy 1450-01

1. BBC News: The British Broadcasting Corporation, although based in the UK, reports US news stories. BBC News will not be as regulated as US news outlets and will most likely have less bias than news outlets in America as it is unaffiliated. I believe that we should be able to have all of the facts and form our own opinions about the subject rather than be persuaded by the journalists' views. I trust BBC to give me the whole story compared to other outlets that intentionally write from a certain perspective. I still approach the stories with a grain of salt, as I do with all news outlets. No matter which source you get your information from, there will always be potential for bias and flaws. 

2. NPR: NPR or National Public Radio is a source I have used for a long time. It is ranked in the middle of the two political sides, causing its information to contain less bias than other news outlets. NPR is also a non-profit, so it is less likely that they have a personal agenda or message they are required to cover. NPR is very easy to access on the radio or on their app (which I use), and it covers a variety of global and national stories. 

3. Instagram: Instagram is also a great outlet to go to for information on broader topics related to creativity and pop culture news. I love Instagram for how tailored the app is to your interests, whether art, dance, celebrity news, music, etc. You can find almost anything on this app, and you can access public figures' views and experiences with certain topics. You also can follow News platforms that post updated content in an easy-to-access way making this platform a hub for first-hand information.  

4. CNN: CNN, or Cable News Network, is known for its left-sided Democratic or liberal views. Understanding and keeping an open mind to both politically sided views are extremely important to get the whole story. Although this source will contain bias, it can give a new perspective, detail, and opinion on a story. Even with intentional bias CNN is known to be a good and credible source for cultural, national, and global news.  

5. Fox News: Fox News is a counter-view from CNN, giving a good amount of balance and exposure to right-sided Republican views. The same goes for Fox News as CNN; we know there will be bias from the journalists, but it is an established and credible source. Fox News is great to give another perspective in hand with CNN. I enjoy comparing and contrasting the stories and getting to form my own opinions on whatever they report.