WEEK 1
After reading the article, “Why ‘A Domain of One’s Own’ Matters’” published by Audrey Watters I’ve realized there is a number of ways we can look at the internet and the World Wide Web regarding the opportunities and threats presented in todays world. The way I see the internet in todays world, is viewed many ways in which are very positive concerning the educational and informative areas of it(which Audrey believes in and recognizing us students and promotes meaningful online engagement to support that), but also critically in the areas of exposure, vulnerability and the unknown as Sir Tim Berners-Lee stating ‘We’ve lost control of our personal data’.
Tim Berners concerns of the world wide web arise in the field of losing transparency and understanding of the information on the internet for us citizens and educators, which I agree on, as I have experienced this confusion in my own time on the world wide web. This is an issue of the internet I am only being brought to attention of in recent years due to us students having more online engagement over the last while, and becoming more aware of the threats that Tim Berners have warned us about.
While I agree with Tim, I also see where Audrey is coming from in the sense that the web is ‘our domain’, and we make the web experience of ours better in how we use it. She expresses the use of the web should be a place of opportunity and a place for education as she states ‘it’s about recognizing that the World Wide Web is site for scholarly activity.’ .
Overall, I enjoyed reading this article and gained lots of insight to the positives and negatives presented by the world wide web in todays society and how we can adapt to the fast changing ways of the internet.
WEEK2
After reading Stephan Frys talk on AI, I am in agreeance with him regarding the issues he raises about the threat and the ignorance surrounding its implications. Fry explains how in his own experience he illustrated how technology, particularly AI, evolves unpredictably which often leads to outcomes no one can foresee. We are all still learning about how AI operates in its own way which is out of our control, so this is where digital literacy and digital competence is most important to ensure that we dont leave it to late for us to be in control of what we do using its tools.
Fry highlights the danger of how AI is used by certain people and how they use it is becoming more and more frightening for the world today, as he warns us of the potential for AI to be misused by countries, corporations, and criminals, driven by greed and power. As stated already, digital competence is in jeopardy by these groups of people which may lead to backfire us humans in time to come with Fry explaining AI could stimulate the traits of emotions, imagination and the consciousness of our minds which wont end well.
Ultimately, Fry stresses the urgency of addressing AI’s risks and the need for collective action to harness its benefits while minimizing dangers, invoking the wisdom of historical figures to appeal to humanity’s better nature in facing this challenge.
WEEK 3
After watching ”The Internets Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz”, I have gained an interest and a real insight of the fight from the internet activist Aaron Swartz towards pleading for freedom of the internet and how much of a pay wall some information on the internet is sitting behind.
The film highlights Swartz’s remarkable achievements, from co-founding Reddit to his advocacy for open access to information and his role in the development of RSS. I was amazed yet saddened to hear his story as it is such a fright for such an idealistic young man who fought for a more open and just internet, while also shedding light on the pressures he faced from the legal system. His efforts of trying to gain social justice opened my mind to wonder, who controls what we see? Who has access to what information? and why is all of the issues Swartz has raised stood behind a pay wall?
It was such a shame to see such a tragedy happen to Swartz but it has opened up my mind as well as many more to what the internet is really about and what issues needs to be raised in order to gain social justice in society today.
WEEK 4
After watching Eli Pariser’s TED talk on “filter bubbles” and reading Principles 5 and 8 from the Contract for the Web, it’s clear how these ideas connect and complement each other.
Principle 5 emphasizes giving users control over their privacy and data, which helps foster trust by empowering individuals to manage their own information. This transparency and control can lead to a stronger, more positive online experience.
Principle 8 focuses on creating a more inclusive web, where people can control their voices and ensure their opinions are heard and valued. This is particularly important in spaces like political debates, where respect and decency are often lacking.
Together, these principles highlight the importance of a web that respects user safety, dignity, and the right to participate without fear of harm. They advocate for an online environment where all users feel secure and valued.
WEEK 6
The YouTube video “This Is What Extinction Sounds Like” by Bernie Krause is both incredibly sad and eye-opening. For over forty years, Krause has been recording wildlife sounds, or “soundscapes,” from various locations around the world. Through his recordings, he demonstrates how many ecosystems are growing silent due to the extinction of species caused by climate change. One striking example he presents is his analysis of sounds in Sugarloaf National Park in 2004. Once full of life and diversity, by 2015, the park had fallen eerily silent as a result of climate change.
Krause also contrasts the soundscapes of the Costa Rican Rainforest in 1992 and 1996. The difference between these two years is hard to believe—once a vibrant area teeming with wildlife, the rainforest had suffered from widespread deforestation, leaving very little wildlife behind. This video serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change and the prevention of climate change, highlighting the devastating impact it is having on ecosystems around the world.
WEEK 7
Istvan Rev’s article on open access explores the benefits and challenges of free archival access, focusing on three key points. First, he highlights the shift from closed to open archives, exemplified by the posthumous pardon of British soldiers executed during WWI. Second, Rev addresses the difficulty of maintaining open access while safeguarding personal privacy, as illustrated by the case of a Rwandan woman concerned about potential deportation. Lastly, he examines how the interpretation of historical documents can evolve over time, using the changing views on executed soldiers as an example.
Rev also discusses the distinction between public and private information online and the importance of handling these archives with fairness and respect. Ultimately, he stresses that while open access can provide valuable educational and informational opportunities, it requires careful management to protect individuals’ rights and ensure the accuracy of the information.
WEEK 8
Before this discussion, I did not have much knowledge about Digital Cultural Heritage, though I know it played a significant role in shaping the cultural identity. Digital Cultural Heritage is identified as the preservation of cultural objects by digitization and through digital means, providing modern perspectives to ensure wider participation and greater opportunities for research, education, and communication. Access to the same may be quite limited, however, in the case of the elderly or people who live in poverty.
I encountered Digital Cultural Heritage twice while at school: first through a virtual tour of Auschwitz as part of a history project on the Holocaust, which deepened my understanding of this sensitive topic. Second, during a Transition Year trip to Croke Park, where sound and hologram technology allowed me to experience past matches and meet historical players like Christy Ring. These experiences underlined how Digital Cultural Heritage can bring the past to life and foster a deeper appreciation for history and culture.
Finally, Digital Cultural Heritage is a very powerful tool in the service and sharing of history, for building national identity, and for the improvement of tourism marketing, if used properly
WEEK 9
I read an article in The New Yorker featuring Professor Emily Bender, which provided a wealth of insights into the expanding world of AI. As the article explains, AI is a set of technologies that enables machines to perform tasks traditionally carried out by humans, such as recognizing patterns to make decisions based on data. Professor Bender emphasizes that while AI can replicate certain aspects of human intelligence, it lacks true human understanding.
This raises the question of whether AI can truly be considered intelligent. Since AI depends heavily on data and algorithms, it can produce results that seem intelligent but without the depth of human comprehension.
As for AI’s impact, there are both positive and negative aspects to its rise. On the one hand, AI has the potential to bring about significant advancements in fields like healthcare and education. On the other hand, it can be exploited, and there are growing concerns about it replacing human jobs over time. Moving forward, it’s crucial that we use AI responsibly and ensure it benefits everyone.