EOTO Reflections

After watching the EOTO presentations by my classmates about various communication technologies, I have learned new information about these technologies including their history and impact on the world. For example, I learned about the:

Petroglyph

The petroglyph is an ancient form of communication and is one of the earliest in human history. They were used in ancient Egypt as well as many other places around the globe. They are carvings made into rock, stone, or clay that depict messages or scenes of some kind. I learned that they were likely created to record important information about the peoples' culture although it can't be said for certain. 

It is interesting to me that they are primarily drawn with pictures and symbols rather than language. They probably didn't have any written language at this time. These symbols still carry meaning even for us trying to interpret them today. Apparently, many of the glyphs we have are damaged which makes sense given how long ago they were made. 

Postal Service

The concept of hand delivered messages dates back all the way to 500 BCE. I had no idea about this. The Persian King Darius was recorded to use relay riders as couriers on his Royal Road. 

In the US, Ben Franklin became the first Postmaster General in 1775. The presentation mentioned that he created our first organized system for mail and letters. I'm surprised that it was before 1776. 

Mail is clearly important for societies and I can understand why. It is a method to send information over long distances and using mail or courier systems was one of the only ways to do that before the internet. I particularly liked the point made that part of why mail systems are so helpful is because normal people can afford it. 

Something I had never heard of before was the 1873 Comstock Act. Since the government controls the postal service, there have been instances where they abused it. This case was one such instance where Anthony Comstock, who was a man in control of the US Post Office, issued a ban of anything related to abortions from being sent in the mail including medications and other supplies.

These two presentations helped me realize the importance of older methods of communication for societies to grow and thrive. It shows how the need for effective communication is so important, that it is always solved in some way with whatever is available at the time.

The History and Impact of the CD (EOTO #1)

The compact disc revolutionized the music industry and helped take the world into the digital age.

For a generation of music lovers, the compact disc, better known as the CD, was the gold standard for listening to music. Its shiny surface and promise of crystal-clear sound helped it replace vinyl records and cassette tapes throughout the 1980s and 1990s. While streaming services dominate today, the CD remains one of the most influential communication and media technologies ever created.

A New Way to Store Sound

The compact disc was developed through a collaboration between Philips in the Netherlands and Sony in Japan. During the 1970s, both companies were experimenting with digital audio technology and optical storage systems. Their goal was to create a medium that could provide better sound quality than existing formats while being smaller, more durable, and easier to use. 

At the time, music was primarily stored on vinyl records and cassette tapes. Both formats had limitations. Records could scratch easily, and cassette tapes often suffered from hiss, wear, and declining sound quality over time. Philips and Sony wanted to solve these problems by creating a digital format that could reproduce music more accurately and reliably.

In 1979, Philips publicly demonstrated the digital compact disc concept. The two companies then worked together to establish a common standard for the technology. One famous design decision was setting the disc size at 12 centimeters, allowing it to hold approximately 74 minutes of audio. The first commercial CDs and players reached the market in Japan in 1982 and expanded internationally soon afterward.

The CD used a laser to read digital information stored as microscopic patterns on the disc. This made it possible to deliver clear audio with little background noise and without the gradual deterioration associated with analog formats.

Changing the World of Music and Communication

The arrival of the CD represented a major shift from analog to digital media.

For consumers, CDs offered cleaner sound, greater durability, and more convenience. Listeners could instantly skip between tracks rather than rewinding or fast-forwarding through a cassette tape. The discs were also smaller and easier to transport than vinyl records.

The technology transformed the music industry. Record labels reissued older albums on CD, and consumers eagerly repurchased music they already owned in other formats. 

By the early 1990s, CDs had become the dominant format for recorded music and generated enormous revenue for the industry.

The impact extended beyond music. Engineers adapted the technology into the CD-ROM, which allowed computers to store large amounts of software, games, and educational content. This helped expand access to digital information and supported the growth of personal computing during the 1980s and 1990s.

In terms of communication, CDs made it easier to distribute information worldwide. Music, software, multimedia programs, and databases could be mass-produced and shipped efficiently. 

The technology played an important role in the broader transition toward a digital society.

Not Without Drawbacks

Despite its success, the CD also had negative effects.

As CDs became dominant, older formats such as vinyl records and cassette tapes largely disappeared from mainstream markets. Some critics argued that the music industry encouraged consumers to buy the same albums repeatedly in new formats, generating profit but creating unnecessary consumption.

CDs were also vulnerable to scratches and damage, even if they were more durable than previous formats. Eventually, newer digital technologies such as MP3 files, downloads, and streaming services offered greater convenience because they eliminated the need for physical media altogether.

Even so, the CD's legacy remains significant. It helped usher the world into the digital age and created expectations for high-quality audio, portable media, and instant access to information that continue to shape technology today.

AI Disclosure: Microsoft Copilot Pro was used to research and write this blog post with instructions to focus on specific questions about the history and impact of the CD.

Invasions of Privacy

    Privacy is becoming one of the most important issues facing Americans today. The videos discussed in class showed how technology has made it easier than ever for companies and governments to collect information about people. From online activity to physical location data, many aspects of our daily lives are now being tracked, stored, and analyzed. 

One of the biggest concerns is the creation of a digital footprint, described in the first video as an "electronic tattoo." Everything from social media activity and internet searches to financial transactions can contribute to a permanent record of who we are. The video warned that this information can exist forever, making it important to think carefully before posting or sharing information online. 

The videos also discussed data mining, digital dossiers, behavioral marketing, and the Third-Party Doctrine. According to the notes, the Third-Party Doctrine means that when a person voluntarily gives information to another party, they lose control over how that information may later be used. As a result, personal data can be shared and distributed in ways many people never expected.

These issues affect me, my friends, and my family because we all use technology every day. Simply using social media, carrying a cell phone, or signing up for a website can generate personal data. The second video showed how technologies such as automated license plate readers and cell phone surveillance tools can collect information about people's locations and movements even when they are not suspected of wrongdoing.

I believe the government should be doing more to protect citizens' privacy. They could enact stronger privacy laws and place limits on how companies collect, store, and sell personal information. The current Third-Party Doctrine seems outdated because agreeing to provide an email address to one website can effectively allow that information to be shared far beyond its original purpose. More regulations could help ensure people maintain greater control over their personal data.

Individuals also have a responsibility to protect themselves. We should be careful about sharing personal information online and avoid giving out phone numbers or email addresses unless necessary. One strategy I use is maintaining separate spam email accounts for websites that I do not fully trust. Small steps like these can reduce exposure and help limit the amount of personal information available to others.

Ultimately, the videos demonstrate that privacy is no longer just about what we choose to reveal. In a world of digital footprints, data mining, and surveillance technologies, protecting personal information requires both responsible individual choices and stronger legal protections.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used to do any additional research. All information used was from the videos and some of my own thoughts. After personally watching 2 of the videos, I took notes on them. Microsoft Copilot Pro was fed those notes to summarize them in sentence and paragraph format. I also answered all 3 of the questions in my own words and then included that in my prompt for the AI to compile into the post.

8 Values of Free Expression

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ranks self-actualization the highest, making it the ultimate goal.

Of the 8 different Values of Free Expression, one of them feels the most important to me. It's self-actualization (aka individual self-fulfillment). It is "the process of realizing and expressing one's full potential, talents, and capabilities" according to GoodTherapy.org. In a way, you could call it fulfilling your destiny. It is the process of you becoming you.

In my personal life, there are many examples of how it has influenced me. Going to college is a big one. Everyone in our country must go to high school as required by law but college is optional and there are many to choose from. The decision to go to college changed the course of my life as not going would have resulted in me starting work much sooner and likely in something completely different than I'm planning to do now. 

Which college I chose also reflects back on me and determines aspects of my future. Quality, location, and more influence my life. While at college, I had to choose a major. This decision is an early one in figuring out where I want my life to go. When you pick a major, you also implicitly pick a likely career path although you aren't forced to go down it necessarily. We still have the freedom to choose.

For me, I chose HPU and Game Design as my major. I am also still deciding what I want to target within my major. There are level designers, 3d modelers, writers and narrative designers, UI designers, programmers, and many more specializations that I could decide to focus on. There is a job market that exists for me to find something no matter which major I chose. 

I can also search for other jobs that want the same skills. I've been learning computer programs like Unreal Engine or Photoshop and general design philosophies of how to make things that people want. I could apply that knowledge to many jobs even outside of gaming so I'm not pigeon-holed into one specific thing.

Picking Game Design is unique to me in my family. It demonstrates self-actualization as I'm not entering into a family business or even taking the same career path as a family member. My dad is an accountant and my mom is a nurse. I might be expected to take one of those paths but they didn't feel right to me so I've chosen something different. Something that feels right to me.

Taking this time in college is giving me the opportunity to find myself and decide what I want to do in the future. Without self-actualization, our society might not even have skilled workers. Everyone would be stuck doing whatever their parents do or doing labor oriented jobs. People would be stagnant and our society would not advance. Discoveries and science would become ways of the past. People would become like robots forced to move along with no freedom to choose what they actually want to do with their own lives.

Self actualization allows each person to take their own path rather than simply following what other people do. People may still choose to follow others or conform to social expectations, but they are not required to. Having the freedom to express their own beliefs, ideas, and identity gives individuals the opportunity to discover who they are and pursue their own potential. 

This is why self actualization is vital as a freedom of expression: it gives people the freedom to become who they choose to be.

What I Learned About the U.S. Supreme Court

 

One of the most interesting things I learned about the Supreme Court is how much influence the Court has, even when it decides not to hear a case. The video explained that the justices do not like people saying they are affirming a lower court decision when they refuse to take a case. Still, it seems difficult not to see it that way because the previous ruling remains in place.

I also learned more about how the Court operates internally. Before discussing cases together, the justices try to make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak once before anyone speaks a second time. That process surprised me because it suggests an effort to give every justice an equal voice during deliberations.

Another detail that stood out was that at least one justice may already have a decision in mind before the private discussions begin. The video also noted that the justices write opinions and can become increasingly resistant to changing their views over time.

The biggest takeaway for me was the extraordinary power of the Supreme Court.

The Court serves as a constitutional check on both Congress and the president. Through the principle established in Marbury v Madison, the Court has the authority to determine whether actions taken by other parts of government are constitutional. That power helps place limits on government authority and makes the Supreme Court one of the most influential judicial institutions in the world.

The most surprising part of the video was learning about the Dred Scott decision. From my perspective, the justices in that case appeared to interpret the Constitution based on their own beliefs rather than applying it fairly. The ruling declared that Black people could never be citizens, a position that was eventually overturned only after the Civil War and the adoption of the 14th Amendment.

The video also changed how I think about constitutional interpretation. One point that stood out was the idea that the meaning of the Constitution can change over time as society changes. The phrase “We the People” originally applied to a much narrower group, but today it is understood to include women, minorities, Native Americans, and others who were once excluded.

Overall, the video helped me see the Supreme Court not as a static institution, but as one that continues to shape and be shaped by American history.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from notes that I took while watching a video titled "Supreme Court of the United States." I then prompted Microsoft Copilot Pro to help me shape my notes into a blog post between 300-350 words written in a smooth, professional style. I then added links to online sources that the reader could pursue for more information. Finally, I added appropriate images to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look.

My Top Five Sources of News and Information

Instagram

    I use Instagram for a wide variety of news. I get random political stories and current events which informs me about the world on this platform, that information is typically given in a satirical or funny way. I also see memes and sketches for entertainment, movie and tv show clips and news about them, sports related content, and cute animal videos. Additionally, usually through targeted ads I have found many musicians and books that I enjoy and wouldn't have known about otherwise. Beyond all that, I also get to see updates on my friends' lives through their posts and stories. I recommend Instagram because it can give you whatever you want from it and as long as you can control how long you spend on the app, it is a great source of info and entertainment.

Youtube

    On youtube, I primarily use this for entertainment. One of the best things I use Youtube for, is for information on games that I am playing. Looking at guides when I am stuck on something or just learning what things are good in a game is very helpful and enjoyable for me. Anyone can use Youtube for anything to be honest. There is so much content and so many communities on the platform that there is truly something for everybody.

Podcast - Lemonade Stand

    This is a podcast that I am fond of. It is run by 3 content creators and it covers business, tech, and general current events ranging from serious to silly. Each episode, the hosts bring various stories to talk about and I find it both interesting and funny. I recommend this podcast to anyone interested in learning about some things going on in the world in a less serious way than traditional news channels.

Last Week Tonight - John Oliver

    Last Week Tonight is a late night show hosted by John Oliver that uploads its episodes for free to Youtube. He covers a single story in each episode ranging from politics to Buccees suing random local gas stations for copyright infringement. He and his writers weave many jokes into his show and I quite enjoy it. It is a bit infrequent but always delivers on its content. I mostly watch for the laughs but also to learn about something because he spends lots of time on the topics and explains what is going on with them. It is good for some enjoyment while learning about something in a 30 minutes or less format which isn't too long or too short.

MSNBC - MS Now

    This is a traditional news source that I don't use much but still felt like mentioning it. I have mostly found them through their Instagram account where they cover a story typically about politics. They really only cover politics mostly and are a left leaning organization. I have found it to be a decent source of news when I sometimes come across a story they are running. It's primarily driven by particular news anchors so if there is one you like in particular, you can watch their show.