Post #11 Final Post: The Impact of Technology

For generations people have speculated how the future would look and would often predict popular technological inventions, such as highways that lead to "the city of the future," in the video '64-65 NY World's Fair FUTURAMA Ride Video. Regardless if it is the first telephone or the world's first super computer, society has always sought to advance. An example of a form of technology that continues to advance is the cellphone. Cellphones, specifically Smart Phones, are like having a whole futuristic system in the palm of  your hand. Phones are constant and can be a major distraction. From watching the video "Are You Lost In the World Like Me," phones are powerful distractions that can take over people's lives. Any piece of technology can alter people's attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs and they can redefine the way people view the world. As the world and technology have progressed, so have phones and the more phones advance, the more people will be "prisoners" to their screens". Phones can not only steal people's abilities to experience the real world by keeping them glued to their screens, they can also negatively impact your overall intelligence. Phones provide the ability to research anything and everything and because of this, people are relying on their technological devices to do the learning and heavy lifting for them. By doing this, their intelligence and book smarts decrease which can cause serious problem when trying to apply for a job, get an education, or solve real world problems. 

Technology can be viewed as many things, such as, good, bad, beneficial, corrupting, and the list can go on. Technology has advanced in many ways and whether people know it or not, this modern world is already fully reliant on technology. Now, do not get me wrong, my relationship with technology is strong, and at times, I believe that my use of technology is a bit excessive, but the generation that I was born in was around the time that technology began to flourish, so in reality, technology is all that I know. 

Technology can be very useful and helpful. My family, friends, and I, or really anyone can use technology to their advantage. I use technology on a daily basis. I use it for homework, to browse on social media, to watch television, and truthfully, I could not live without technology. I was raised on technology and it has become my normal and it is apart of my everyday life. There are numerous ways that technology can be helpful. Technology can be used for medical purposes by helping to detect if someone is sick, it can lead to future discoveries, it opens up an endless amount of new and old information, and it provides easier ways to get to certain destinations around the world. There are so many ways that technology can be beneficial, it is just a matter of opinion on if you think technology is helpful or harmful. 

Technology can also be a place of manipulation and toxicity. Before technology really started to take off with it's advancements in the early 2000s, people used to actually interact with other people face to face instead of face to phone. Technology impacts daily lives and it determines how people interact with each other. Instead of people hanging out or doing things in person, they are Facetiming, Snapchatting, or Messaging and fully relying on technology to make connections. With the advancement of technology, there is also an increase in security, cameras, and monitoring. This means that there are more people out there monitoring us and our every move, scary right? Not only are people watching us, they are also listening and keeping data on what we research on the internet, watch, and click on, so that they can send us products and advertisements in hopes that we will click on it and buy it. With technology being so advanced, it is difficult to think about all the negativity that follow, but with the good comes the bad and technology is no exception. There are so many ways that technology can be corruptive and we think that the technology that we have now is high tech, just wait and see what the future of technology may bring. 

According to Reviews.org, in 2022, on average, Americans check their phones 344 times per day. That's once every 4 minutes! The amount of time that people are on their phones and technology as a whole is unhealthy, but can you blame them with how technologically advanced the world is? To give an example on how much I spend on my phone, on April 25th, 2022, I spent 5 hours and 43 minutes on my phone and that amount of screen time is not including my laptop and the television. I go on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok everyday. I like to use the various forms of social media. These forms of social media are ways for me to keep up with what is going on around the world, stay connected with my friends and family members, keep up to date with the newest trends, and just to pass the time. I would say that I have an unhealthy relationship with technology and the amount of time that I am giving to technology is inappropriate. For me, my phone, laptop, and television are what I would consider an "escape" from the real world. I have adapted to the use of technology and because I grew up surrounded by all things technology, I do not know any better. Now, I know that I have the ability to lower my use of technology, but the way it is advancing, eventually almost everything will become so technologically programmed that we will start using technology when we do not even realize when we are using it. 

Technology has become the new normal. It has wiggled it's way into society and society has accepted it and allowed it to prosper. The advancement is not slowing down anytime soon and it will only get bigger and either better or worse, depending on your opinion on technology as a whole. It is a scary thing to think that eventually we will have flying cars, people that look like people, but are actually robots, and even robotic bees. The future is limitless and the advancement of technology is endless, which means buckle up and get ready for a world made entirely out of technology.

Extra Post #3: Through the Eyes of AI

Now a days technology and machinery and anything related to those scientific systems has become some of the most well known necessities within today's world. The development over the years of technology and AI is like anything the people of this world could have ever dreamed of. From the first at home security system being made back in1969, to the advancement of a product AI technology such as monitoring robot professionals technology is becoming unstoppable. Technology is progressing at a scary fast rate and the advancement of technology is not slowing down anytime soon. 

Where technology gets really scary is when you have security cameras all around you watching your every move. Not only are there cameras all around us, they are also on our technological devices. These cameras can include the physical camera that you can see, but it can also include a "monitoring camera" that detects where you like to shop, what you like to buy, and other things and once it has that information, it starts sending you ads and information from wherever you searched. From watching the video "In the Age of AI by Frontline," We thought that we were searching Google. We had no idea that Google was searching us." We can never really know who is watching us and when they are watching, that is the scary thing about this world and the use of technology and its progression is not going to stop, it will only grow and advance in the future. 

Post #10: Reflection of EOTO #2

Upon watching and listening to all of the EOTO presentations, I really took interest in Anna Claire Miller's presentation on The Total Information Awareness Program. The Total Information Awareness Program (TIA for short) is a way for your information to be collected even when you do not know about it. That information can be used by the government in multiple ways and it can even be used in some ways that the government likes to keep confidential to the public. This ability to collect peoples' information could also cause the abundant use of power. What I mean by this, is that the government could use your information for more than just to see if you are a terrorist, they could use it for other concerns or situations that they see fit. 

This program really started to take off after it was created in 2002. The main reason for the creation of the TIA is because of the terrorist attack that occurred in New York City on 9/11. After the attack, security and surveillance around the world grew stronger. The TIA helps provide information on people to make sure that they are not a terrorist. Some might say that the overall program violates peoples' rights and that it is "secretly" taking peoples' information without their consent. While some might say it is a violation, others might say that it is helpful because it aids in finding terrorists and those who want to harm our country. For those that believe that the TIA is violating your privacy, there are many ways in which you can avoid your personal information from getting out. You can use a fake email and password when creating an account for something and you can even use a fake profile picture to really keep your personal information safe. Overall, the TIA can be both beneficial and harmful to the public. It is just up to you and how much you are willing to keep your personal information more secure. 

Post #9: The Diffusion of Innovations Theory Takes On YouTube

YouTube has been one of the most popular websites for many years now. Some may argue that the overall popularity of YouTube is declining, but if we use Roger's Diffusion Theory, we can take a closer look to see if YouTube is still on top as the Critical Mass, or if it is in their maturation faze and are becoming less popular. The Diffusion Theory helps us to get a good grasp of how platforms, movements, ideas, and more, start out and then eventually either stay at the top, or fall and become less popular and unfamiliar. YouTube originally came out in 2005, ever since then, the platform has been top three of the most visited websites. 

YouTube can be used by all ages, but we are often seeing more and more adults and teenagers use the platform. The age group that uses and watches YouTube the most falls under the ages 15-35. This app became popular so fast, due to the fact that there was no easy way to post and share videos with people from around the world at the time. The early adopters that instantly got hooked to YouTube simply starting using the platform because it was the newest and coolest thing at the time. Even though YouTube is one of the fastest growing and most viewed platforms, there are many who choose not to even fool with YouTube, those people would be called the non-adopters. They may just see the negatives in the platform and they may find that other social media apps are better. For me personally, I watch YouTube very often, however, I do use Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook more than I watch YouTube. After the non-adopters, there are the late adopters. The late adopters will join YouTube or start a channel many years down the road. The reason for the differentiation of adopters is because YouTube changes constantly. If YouTube never changed and upgraded its content, then it would loose so many people and eventually be in the saturation phase of the Diffusion Theory. 

I believe that YouTube has gotten even bigger and more popular over the years. According to Global Media Insight, just from 2013, to 2020, YouTube has gotten more than 1.3 billion more users. So how did YouTube become so popular and how did YouTube become one of the most popular websites not only in the U.S., but in places like India, Brazil, and Japan? Well, YouTube allows people from all over the world to create and experiment on postable content. This website initially started out in the experimental phase, but it quickly went over the curve and through the uptake to become a critical mass. Some might say that the platform is starting to burn out and get less popular, but according to Newsweek, as for YouTube, "growth will only continue." 

Post #8 EOTO #2:

Have you ever been persuaded to do something from seeing an advertisement or a tv commercial? Have you ever seen posters promoting a certain event or cause? Well, that would be considered propaganda. Propaganda is the spreading of either true or false information to the public. Propaganda can influence and manipulate people into believing and doing things that they never intended on doing in the first place. The term propaganda was originally introduced in 1622. It began as a term, but then grew to become a manipulative tool that people still used today. 

Propaganda can be both good and bad. Most people that think of propaganda only think of the bad forms. For instance, like posters promoting and advertising a war or a tv commercial that tries to make a certain president look bad. Most of the time what would be considered the bad propaganda is usually the only propaganda that the world sees. This type of propaganda is not only false advertisement, but this type of propaganda can also cause arguments within families and friends. One side may agree with a certain type of propaganda, while the other side may disagree and vice versa. The bad propaganda can also harm the younger generations. Millennials I would say, have more common sense on what is real and what is fake when it comes to the world than the up and coming generations. Why do I believe this? Of course, Millennials have been around longer, seen more, and have experienced more than, lets say, Gen Z. The younger generations are being raised around more technology and have more access to social media. Social media and the abundant use of technology can be harmful. Anything and everything is posted on social media and the amount of propaganda that is floating around on the internet is outrageous. When something is posted on an account that you really like, or your favorite celebrity is trying to promote something, all of that would be considered propaganda. Propaganda can also affect the majority and minority by causing diversity within different populations. It also affects the rich and the poor because the rich can use propaganda to their advantage and have more resources to promote it, whereas, the poor are more likely to believe it because of their lack of financial resources. With that said, not all propaganda is bad and corrupting. There are examples of good propaganda, such as, a promotional add for Taco Tuesday or a Rosie the Riveter poster because these examples are promoting good and helpful things. 

Propaganda can also influence the decisions you make on a daily basis and it can also change the way you make decisions. Propaganda can be very deceiving and I often find myself trying to distinguish what is real and what is fake when it comes to the world and the information surrounding it. I am one to get on social media often and a lot of what is on social media is fake news. Sometimes I get drawn into the deception of propaganda. Not only am I sometimes blinded by the propaganda, it really affects everyone in society. Propaganda is never ending and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. That is why society is going to continue to get persuaded by either fake or real news or information. 

 

In the end, you can be 80, 15, male, female, rich, poor, and so on, but you are still going to face propaganda. Propaganda will continue to grow, the real question is, is the world going to continue to abuse the power of propaganda, or are they going to use it to benefit society? 

  

Extra Post #2: An Unforgettable Mission Trip

December 12th, 2019, was the first day that Covid hit. It started out as a gentle virus in China that had spread to a couple of people and it was not considered to be life threatening. Around March 2020, the Covid cases started to increase, but only a couple of states in the United States had accumulated cases. March 11, 2020, was the day that me, two of my teachers, and two of my classmates decided to go on with our mission trip to Peru. At the time, people were not wearing masks, there was no 6 feet apart rule, and Covid was not really a concern. We landed in Cuzco Peru on March 12th 2020.

 A couple of days went by and as we had just came back to the hotel from eating at our first restaurant in Peru when the President of Peru announced that they are closing the boarders of Peru, which meant no one in and no one out. In frantic mode, we all started to freak out and we were trying to get a flight out that night, but they flights were all booked up. We all went to sleep that night, only to wake up realizing that our 10 day trip was going to last much longer than expected. We had to move from our hotel to the missionary family's house because we were not sure if we would be able to get food at the hotel. Days went by, streets got empty, stores remained closed, a  curfew went into effect, masks became mandatory and our hope of getting home started to fade. On top of it all, it was my first time out of the country. After days of waiting and listening for a way to get out of Peru, we heard President Trump, Mark Walker, and Pompeo talk about American citizens being stranded with no way of getting home and that they were trying to figure out ways of getting them home.  

After days of waiting, we finally got the news that we were coming home on March 29th and what was originally supposed to be a 10 day mission trip, turned into almost a month long quarantine. To get home, we had received special permission from the Peruvian Government and the U.S. Government and after three flights, we eventually landed in Charlotte on March 31st, 2020.    

Post #7: Is Privacy Really Private?

According to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary by definition, privacy means the quality or state of being apart from company or observation and freedom from unauthorized intrusion. Privacy literally means having the freedom to protect what you do and when you do it without the interference of others. In todays world, we are constantly being watched, filmed, and monitored on a daily basis. From watching the TED talks in class, the realization hit me that we are not really granted our own freedom to privacy at all. Once you step foot outside, a picture of you could be taken by the next cop car that passes you or you could be going about your everyday life without even realizing that your phone and your  Amazon Alexa is constantly listening in on your every word. The constant observation from the outside world should affect us and our lives drastically, instead we are often blinded by the obstruction of our own privacy. 

I know that for me, I do not even like to go out in public places and socialize, let alone be secretly recorded by those of higher power. The government has so much power over you and those around you. Sometimes I feel like we should be asking ourselves do we actually have the freedom that is promised to us within The First Amendment? I believe that the government is doing right by all of the constant surveillance, but I believe that that surveillance should not be used on those who do not deserve it and that ability to watch and listen to someone daily, should not be abused by using it on the "innocent."

Even though we are allowed to speak up and have a voice against the government and the decisions that they make for us, the constant monitoring is never going to stop, in fact, it is probably going to get even more advanced in the future. So how can we, as American citizens, protect ourselves from the government? We can find loopholes like using a fake email account to log into apps and websites. We can limit the amount of time we use things like Amazon Alexa's and Echo Dots. There are many ways to protect yourself from the continual supervision of the government, but it is all up to you and if you are willing to go the extra mile to secure your safety as an American citizen.      

Post #6:The Merge That Changed Social Media

Throughout our first EOTO project, we learned a lot about different communicative technologies. We learned about some older technologies, like the first telegraph, and then some newer technologies, like the first iPhone. When the different technologies were presented in class, I really took interest in TikTok. I know that if you asked a room full of random people if they have TikTok, more than half of them would say yes. TikTok originally started out as Musical.ly, but Musical.ly merged with TikTok back in 2018. Within my generation, social media is very popular and is getting even more popular every single day. TikTok was officially created back in 2016. It is an app that expresses communication through videos. TikTok incorporates videos about the latest trends, up to date news, life hacks, vlogs, and more. Although you have to be 13 years old in order to have your own TikTok account, the app allows for all ages to participate in some way. I use TikTok on a daily basis and it can become very addicting. With the ability to constantly scroll and see a new video, it is sometimes hard to stop. Whenever someone posts a video on TikTok, it instantly gets put out into the world for people to see. From there, people can like and comment on the video, and also share the video with other people. 

When my classmate presented on TikTok, I found it interesting that President Trump tried to ban the app. I know that when COVID-19 started to get really bad in 2020, TikTok was an escape for most people. It became a way for people to communicate with others through videos without having to go out of the house because of stay at home orders. Throughout my classmates presentation, I was shocked when she said that he wanted to ban the app, but then after some consideration, I realize how this app could be a potential threat when releasing information about our country to other countries. 

All of the presentations about the different technologies were very interesting and I found the EOTO projects to be very informative, but when one of my classmates presented on the communicative technology known as TikTok, it really caught my eye and made me want to make my own blog post about it.  

Post #5: "War, A Terrible War"

War has always been apart of history. The United States was born from war, but that does not mean war is always the right answer. The media's portrayal of war is that it is always out of necessity and it always advocated and supports the government's decision to enter into one. What do you not see or hear about is news that supports antiwar beliefs. What is that? The websites, The American Conservative and AntiWar.com shares some light on why it remains less known to the public. These websites release the truth behind the war efforts that the United States Government either fails to release or tried to hide. The articles published on these websites shine a light on the dark side of the war and it portrays the government in a negative fashion. In one article posted on The American Conservative, the article discusses the claim that the U.S. Military was stationed in Iraq solely for the "non-combat" reasons. It reveals the truth and shows that the claim is false and that the military is indeed participating in combat roles. 

I believe that it is difficult to find websites that support ideas and beliefs that are opposite from the government because it is harder to control those who know the truth. These websites inform people of the truth behind the war efforts and the government and the media does not make their news known. These websites and many more, go unnoticed and are not advertised due to the information that they provide the public with, but it is just as important, if not, more important to get this type of news into the mainstream media. 

Post #4 EOTO: Like, Comment, Share, and Subscribe!

YouTube is a multi-billion dollar technological  platform that has surpassed many milestones ever since it was created on February 14th, 2005. Ever since YouTube was created, it has valued more than $150 billion dollars. YouTube allows people from around the world to share videos. YouTube was created by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, but it is actually owned by Google. These three creators came together almost 17 years ago and wanted to create a easier and more efficient way to share videos with people from all over the globe. The creation of YouTube went through a lot of trial and error. one of those trials included starting out as a dating website, which as quickly turned down and changed into a video sharing technology. YouTube can be accessed on an app, the internet, and you can even get it on your television. The platform allows for "ordinary" people to come up with any type of video content and post it to the world. From there, people are allowed to comment, like, and share to the posted videos and subscribe to the creators channel.  People who post videos on YouTube are actually called YouTubers. When you become more popular as a YouTuber and you get 1,000 subscribers and you get 4,000 watch hours in a year, you can actually get paid for the content you create and post. 

YouTube has become one of the most used platforms for entertainment, content creating, easy increase of revenue, and more. It provides a wide variety of opportunities for many unnoticed musicians, animators, vloggers, and many others to be recognized for their work. YouTube not only allows for creators to post videos and accumulate more money, but it is also an excellent way for communication. When someone posts a video on YouTube, you are automatically expressing forms of communication. With some YouTubers, they abuse that ability to use communication and they use their videos to promote content that is not positive and is unnecessary. While some abuse the power of communication throughout their YouTube videos, others like The LaBrant Family, use their platform to promote their family, their positive energy, and their religious beliefs.  

       

I watch YouTube almost everyday and I enjoy the entertainment that it brings. I use YouTube to watch family vloggers, funny videos, a small family build their house by themselves in the middle of nowhere, a group of guys that come together and do insane challenges, and more. YouTube has an endless amount of videos that you can watch with just the click of a button. With just the click of a button you are able to get access to videos that can help you with homework, that can teach you how to build a bike, and so many more. 

Although YouTube is one of the most popular technological video sharing platforms, the invention did come across issues that are still going on today. Some of those issues include an overflow of people using the the platform, which led to the overall platform to run slower. Another issue is that people's videos incorporate and incorporated songs that YouTube does not own, so copyright became an issue then and still is today. YouTube does not really have any limits as to what people can post, but they do have community guidelines that have to be followed. If a video seems threatening, harmful, or bias in anyway, YouTube will take down the video and possibly ban the creators account. The platform cares about their community, especially their younger audience. YouTube actually created a separate platform for kids called YouTube Kids, which allows parents to monitor what their children watch and how much they watch on a daily basis. Thanks to the creation of YouTube, it has never been easier to search, view, and share a wide variety of videos. This platform completely changed the way people entertain and reach others from around the world and it will continue to do so! 

Post #3: "We The People..."

There are eight values of free expression. Each value describes a different aspect within the government. Some of the values really target the importance of free speech within The First Amendment and then others really emphasize certain topics such as: politics, human liberty, and the idea of what America really stands for. All eight values are very important when it comes to being an American citizen.

Upon reading through all of the values of free expression, I really took interest in Individual Self- Fulfillment. I believe that this particular value is one of the most important values, considering it involves our freedom as American citizens. As soon as we started class, we instantly started talking about the First Amendment. The First Amendment really emphasizes the use of freedom for the American people. Within The First Amendment, it focuses on self-government and participation. With Individual Self- Fulfillment, it discusses topics like human liberty and freedom of speech. I chose to discuss this particular value because U.S. citizens' freedom and rights are important to me. Being born and raised in the United States, I have been taught that I have a say in this world and that it is my right as an American citizen to have that freedom. 

Freedom of speech is such a powerful right to have. Freedom of speech gives the American people the ability to freely express their feelings, opinions, beliefs, religion, and a variety of other acts without the interference of the government. American people, by law, have the right to have human liberty. Having liberty and having freedom are one in the same. With both liberty and freedom, you have the capability to do as you please, as long as it abides by the law, so in reality, how much "freedom" do the American people actually have? The American people do have freedom and rights, but they are monitored and limited by the government. 

The value of Individual Self- Fulfillment really emphasizes the importance of free speech. Freedom of speech can be defined in two ways. The first is protected free speech. A great example of this, pertaining to todays news, is a peaceful protest like some of the Black Lives Matter protests. While there can be legal and protected free speech, there are illegal and unprotected acts of free speech that have taken place in America in the past couple of years. A perfect example of an illegal and unprotected act of free speech would be the January 6th protest riot on the capital building in Washington D.C. With this particular example of unprotected free speech, it would be considered Incitement. Even though one of these examples of free speech is protected while the other example is not, they are both considered to be Expressive Action because they address certain types of communication in a way that reaches a variety of audiences. The thought about Individual Self- Fulfillment, human liberty, and freedom of speech may all sound great for the American people, but past demonstrations like the January 6th riot, is an excellent example as to how The First Amendment can be and often is violated. It is for that reason why the freedom and rights of the American people are monitored.  

                        

Extra Post #1: Same Sport, Different Treatment

Just from watching NBA and WNBA games on the television, we all can instantly see that there are more fans and overall attendance at NBA games, but we can also agree that the WNBA players get payed less than the NBA players do, so why is that? The NBA started to form in 1946 and the WNBA started in 1996. Could the reason for low attendance and less pay be because the WNBA started around 50 years later than the NBA, or could all of this be happening because of something much bigger? Within the NBA, there are 30 teams and there are 12 teams within the WNBA. The difference in how many teams there are between the NBA and the WNBA can also be a key component as to how the NBA is favored more than the WNBA. Since there are more teams within the NBA, more money comes in, more brand deals are made, which accumulates money, therefore, provides more money for the over all NBA and its players. Since the WNBA only has 12 teams, less money is being made, which causes the women that are playing in the WNBA to get shorted money. 

 

Some might say that the reason for lower pay and less attendance could be because women in the WNBA are not as good as NBA players. While some might believe that to be true, people like Kobe Bryant, a former NBA superstar player would say other wise. There are tons of debates going around about the low attendance and especially the lower pay for the WNBA, but it is all about opinions. I have to admit, I do prefer to watch the NBA over the WNBA because in my eyes, the NBA is more exciting than the WNBA, but I believe that the women in the WNBA and men in the NBA should be getting equal and fair pay, but some people may disagree with my overall opinion.  

Post #2: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility!

The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial government. It was established on September 17th, 1789.  The Supreme Court is made up of eight Justices and a Chief Justice. All of the justices are submitted by the president and can either be accepted or refused by the United States Senate. The Supreme Court is very powerful. The Court has the power to override the president. A recent example of this can be seen through the mandatory vaccine mandate that United States president Joe Biden tried to put in effect for all business. This particular case got turned down by the Supreme Court because it violates the First Amendment which is the freedom of speech and the Fourth Amendment which is freedom from searches and seizures without a proper search warrant.   

         

I did not know that the Supreme Court was as powerful as it is. I knew that the particular sector of government had a say in particular governmental cases, but I did not know that the Supreme Court had the highest power within those cases final decisions. I learned a lot from the two videos we watched in class on the Supreme Court. I learned that the Supreme Court picks and chooses the cases they want to consider, this is known as certiorari. For a case to get to the Supreme Court level, it has to be deemed a federal issue. If a case does not meet the standards of the Supreme Court, then it is up to the state courts to make the final decision. 

I found it interesting that the Supreme Court discusses and decides their cases within the public. You would think that because of the Supreme Court being ranked as high as it is within the government, that the cases would be discussed in private, but that is not the case. One fascinating piece of information that was brought up in the videos that we watched in class said by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was that "the Supreme Court shakes each others hand at each hearing because you are less likely to hold a grudge when you shake hands first." I never really thought of that before and that simple little gesture can really shape the emotion in the room while discussing and deciding on a case.  

 

Post #1: This Just In... My Top 5 News Sources

As the year 2021 comes to an end and 2022 begins, the public remains frazzled in regard to the current state of our world. With a global pandemic still in motion, it seems like all that is on any screen somehow relates to Covid-19. Constant reminders of what is going on around the world are flooding our screens. While some reminders may be uplifting, most of the time they are discouraging and depressing. Like many my age, I am constantly checking my phone to see a change in any media platform. The main sources that I go to for information on my phone are Instagram and TikTok. Aside from seeking information from my apps, I typically watch Fox 8 News, Entertainment Tonight, and ESPN to stay up to date on the latest in home, Hollywood, and sports news.

Social Media, a place where people find themselves so hooked on the the newest trends, what new billion dollar house their favorite celebrity just bought, what is happening with world, and the list goes on. This famous social media app incorporates an endless amount of information. You can easily find out details and news with the click of a button. Instagram is a form of social media that I use on a daily basis. I would definitely recommend this app to those who love to be up to date on what is going on in people's lives and the world around us. Although Instagram is filled with corrupt and fake news, like the young adult that I am, I often find myself getting sucked into the media. I do find it difficult to decipher between what is real and what is fake, but I always make sure that the information that I stand by is from a reliable source.

Similar to Instagram, TikTok is a quick and easy source for all ages. Although TikTok does have an age restriction for who can have an account, TikTok can become very addicting and I have found myself getting on the app one minute and then hours passing by. Even though I love this app, it can become an addiction, so I would not recommend it to those who do not need any other distractions in their lives, but I would recommend it to those who are looking for a fun and entertaining app. This app includes everything from dances, challenges, trends, news, and more. TikTok is quickly becoming one of the most addicting apps we have ever seen. Although TikTok is an entertainment app, it has provided the public with information on pressing topics such as climate change and the global pandemic. TikTok can be very useful in many ways, as it provides daily hacks  that are useful for everyday life. This app is an easy way to access the daily news as well staying up to date on the latest trends. 

Fox 8 News is my areas local news channel that ranges from Winston- Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. This is one of the main news broad casting station that I go to for daily news and weather updates. This news source covers a wide variety of topics, both local and global. The local news may include local sporting events and weather forecast, but it also reports on national and global events, such as the current pandemic. Live broadcasting news channels often report on the negative side of society. In my opinion, typical news stations focus on the pessimistic side of things and make situations seem worse than they actually are. Even though the news casters mainly focus and report on the negative, I find myself going back to this new source because of the reliable information they provide and that is why I recommend this news station.      

Entertainment Tonight is not only another television network that provides information and news, but it also provides the same information and more through magazines, social media, and other online platforms. This type of media focuses more on celebrity related news and provides the public with updated details and facts about what is going on throughout the Hollywood world. I would recommend this news station to those who are interested in celebrities lives and all things Hollywood. I find myself watching this type of news because it is not only informative, but entertaining.   

ESPN is a news source that is all about sports. This type of news not only provides updates on scores from games, but it gives daily updates on players and anything sports related. ESPN can focus on local, national, and worldwide sports.  I love to watch and play sports, so this type of broadcasting station provides me with the information that I need to stay up to date with my favorite teams and athletes. I would recommend this source to all sports lovers. If you are not a big sports fan, then I would not suggest you use this source. I typically visit this channel through my television, but it is available through any technological device. Not only does this station provide up to date information on sports, it also allows you to experience the sports world from previous years.