wildcat307

[wildcat307]

Final Course Reflection

When reflecting upon everything we have covered over the past semester, there are several things that come to mind as key takeaways:

Relative to current trends in communication technologies, one of the most surprising trends that I had nearly zero exposure to was the reality of the digital divide in the United States. Since access to the internet has grown exponentially over the course of my lifetime, I found it shocking that many individuals in some areas of the US struggle to “get connected.” In a way, I find it problematic because they are left behind in a sense (so much of what we do today almost necessitates having an internet connection).

2. As for the theoretical approaches to studying communication technologies, the most interesting approach I found, personally, to be social learning / social cognitive theory. Just as some dances have gone viral over Instagram and TikTok over the years, so have several disturbing “challenges” that prove harmful to individual health (such as ingesting Tide Pods or “the Benadryl challenge”). For those interested in increasing social approval, often in the form of “likes” or comments, these are dangerous and sometimes life-threatening activities that are easily shared via our communication technologies and put people at risk of harm.

3. Regarding policy, I am looking forward to and will keep an eye out for the continued development of policy and/or legislation in the vein of California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) law. Unfortunately, it seems that our system of government generally lags in establishing an initial, comprehensive regulatory framework with policies and laws to guide the industry.

4. Surprisingly, when I stop and think about how I communicate with others, the vast majority of all that communication takes place via communication technologies (even speaking over the phone). Aside from face-to-face talk, I can’t think of any other communication I engage in that isn’t mediated by technology (involving cameras, keystrokes, microphones, etc). I haven’t handwritten a letter to someone in years. It does give me cause for concern, this trend towards communication being entirely technologically mediated. Especially when I think of the future of potentially integrating artificially intelligent robots as a substitute for human interaction. 

It seemed like a far-fetched idea for a long time, but as the technology advances it seems to be the inevitable destination we are heading towards. The social consequences of this “tech infusion,” I think, may already be revealing themselves. Whether they include the manifestation of depression, loneliness, anxiety—I’m no expert that may claim so. But these phenomena are certainly being observed. The semester in this class has given me cause to pause and consider my relationship with technology and how I communicate with others. 

[wildcat307]

Blog #10 – Artificial Intelligence

Regarding the open letter from the Future of Life Institute (calling for all AI labs to pause any further development of an AI exceeding that of GPT-4), I agree at a pause is worth considering.  Granted, I am not a computer scientist and have a very minimal, superficial understanding of artificial intelligence. With much of my academic background being in philosophy, I recognize the value of taking a step back and considering the potential consequences of ideas, actions and—obviously—technology. Generally, I think some would agree that the regulatory institutions of our society are at times behind the ball in considering, developing, and establishing a guiding framework for the innovative speed the US market brings to the table.

I think the matter may be simplified into a hypothetical worth considering.

If it is the case that future AI technology has the potential to disrupt the interests of a vast swath of workers, then a pause on the development of AI technology is justified. 

Further, prior to the introduction of such impactful AI technology, those interests should be examined, reasonably secured, and any compromise of those interests should be remedied by suitable means.  Not doing so may place workers at risk of various harm (especially economic injury, which may lead to further harms).

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Blog #9 - Internet of Things (IoT)

The idea of developing “smart” cities is one that I think should be approached with caution, whether in Chico or anywhere else. Plausibly, it may be tempting to commit to such a change in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness (tracking water or energy utilization, optimizing traffic design and infrastructure, bolstering law enforcement, etc).  However, an example noted in our class textbook serves as a powerful warning. 

            “In February 2021, a plant operator for the city of Oldsmar on Florida's West Coast saw his cursor being moved around on his computer screen opening various software functions related to water treatment (Bergal, 2021). The intruder boosted the levels of sodium hydroxide—or lye—in the water supply to 100 times higher than normal. [Fortunately], the operator took control and stopped the activity, and the public was never at risk. Nevertheless, the Oldsmar [security] breach alarmed state and local officials around the country” (Wilkinson, p.250).

This incident accurately depicts a major concern that I hold when considering the idea of transitioning to a “smart” city. By connecting various functional facets of our city to the internet, we would consequently be at risk for and vulnerable to cyberattacks.  Given the potential risks to our safety (though such risk would be dependent upon which services/infrastructure may be connected) I would likely be against an overwhelming transition towards a “smart” city.

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Blog #8 - Inclusive Gaming

While I’m neither a regular “gamer” or member of a gaming community, one of the most concerning issues I found regarding representation in gaming centered around the position of women (both as active players and as representations in gaming media).

As the Medium article quotes an 18-year-old female player, “[Gaming companies should] treat female characters as nuanced as males and [not] design them purely as sexual objects” (Shi, 2019).

Undoubtedly, there is substantial evidence that supports the claim that representations of women in video games have historically, often, been hypersexualized. Which, as Indiana University Media Communications Researcher Teresa Lynch notes “included nudity, over-enlarged breasts or hips and unrealistically narrow waists” when reviewing a compilation of 571 playable female video game characters from 1989-2014 (Strum, 2016).  

Fortunately, I think there is evidence that the hypersexualized caricature of women in video games is shifting towards the “nuance” that some in the community desire. For example, one of my favorite instances in which this caricature was shattered was the reveal of the main player character Samus Aran in Metroid. Simply, much of the action-packed heroism in the game (traditionally ascribed to men and the masculine in video games) was revealed to be from the skill of a female character.

“Metroid saved its greatest moment until the very end when Samus Aran finally took off their helmet and revealed to gamers everywhere that the hero whom everyone thought was a dude was in fact a woman the entire time” (Pan, 2020).

Overall, I’m glad to see that this shift from a history of women being sexualized in gaming is persisting. However, I think there is still ample room for improvement.

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Citations:

Medium “What Inclusion Means to Players” https://medium.com/@Electronic_Arts/what-inclusion-means-to-players-db4522bdd8a0

PBS “Study Tracks 31-Year History of Female Sexualization in Video Games” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/study-tracks-31-year-history-of-female-sexualization-in-video-games

GOAT “Never Forget When Every Gamer Thought Their Fave Hero Was A Dude Until The Very End” https://goat.com.au/entertainment/never-forget-when-every-gamer-thought-samus-aran-metroid-was-a-dude-until-the-very-end/

Image Credit: Flickr (Samus)

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Blog #7 - The Digital Divide

Why should we care about the digital divide?

We should care because the impact of the digital divide has far-reaching negative effects (economical, academic, social, etc.).  Though in a similar vein, from primary school to college, the negative consequences of the digital divide in education are unsettling—especially should the inequity persist long enough to impact an individual’s economic freedom.  Further, for communities potentially lacking either the necessary infrastructure or user hardware/software to easily access and engage on the internet is to potentially place a limit upon their success and ability to function in society (this could impact a range of academic, business, government activities).

How do you think we can close the divide in the USA? 

Generally, I would suggest that the necessary infrastructure that is foundational to provide internet access is assessed relative to the population dispersal across the United States.  Then, solutions may be considered to increase the availability and reliability of internet access to those individuals observed to be “disconnected.”  Further, the infrastructure likely isn’t the only challenge.  Research into who may not have the necessary, compatible devices to connect to the internet may be necessary.  For this, whether devices are accessible/owned should be assessed and any challenges in the acquisition of these devices must be assessed.  Then, consideration of how we may increase the availability of internet-enabled technology to these individuals should be considered. These are the two major variables I think should be assessed to bridge the digital divide—internet infrastructure and IoT device accessibility.

[wildcat307]

Blog #6 Future of the Music Industry

After reading the 2022 IFPI State of the Industry report, I believe one of the most important developments in future of the music industry will be that of reviewing, amending, and enforcing copyright law.  While I admit to commenting on this subject from a position of vast ignorance, I think it is important, if not imperative, that this process be conducted in a manner that is cognizant of and intends to reasonably secure the interests of the artists whose work is marketed. 

I was disappointed to find that the article seemed to generally virtue signal such a position (that a copyright framework that serves the rightsholders interests be formed p.40). Obviously, this suggests a potential problem. It may very well be the case that artists sell their rights to their work to other parties (such as a record label company). Consequently, this could impact their interests positively or negatively. The current state of whether these artists interests are secured seems ambiguous (especially since there seems to be calls within the industry for improving such a legal framework).

Unfortunately, the opportunity to articulate any potential policy ideas or case studies that may shed light on the challenges artists face was passed up—seemingly in favor of advocating for an increased development of the global market by digging roots down into smaller communities that may have unrecognized talent waiting to be tapped into. Without doubt, increasing the visibility of these artists is important and an admirable goal; however, there is a significant difference between acknowledging some problems they may face and engaging with them intending to develop solutions.

Citation: International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) 2022 State of the Industry Report https://www.ifpi.org

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Blog #5 - Research & APA

Digital Health - United States. Statista. (n.d.). https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-health/united-states 

This webpage from Statista provides some of the economic information (revenue, projected growth, average revenue per user, etc) to our general topic of eHealth. Further, this economic information is related to technologies such as mobile health applications and the integration of wearable-technology.

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Smart Wireless Bandages Could Help Heal Chronic Wounds. Institution of Engineering & Technology. (2022, November 28). https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2022/11/smart-wireless-bandages-could-help-heal-chronic-wounds/

This article provides an overview of a recent medical device development—the Smart Bandage. Essentially, the bandage uses active sensors to monitor the progress of healing and applies various levels of electrostimulation to facilitate improved tissue regeneration. Currently, the device is a “proof of concept” and is very early in its timeline of development.

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Blog #4 - Group Rules + Topic

1) Meetings:

Meriam Library Study Room, Weekly on Tuesdays at 5:00 pm

2) Method of Group Communication:

Text via a group SMS message thread.

3) Group Member Removal: “3 Strikes Rule”

If a group member fails to complete an accepted task, or misses a group meeting without communicating with the group—they will receive a strike. Whether a strike is assigned will be collectively determined by the other group members. Flexibility will be the priority, since we are adults and understand life circumstances may present challenges. Ultimately, we aim to succeed together.

4) Group Topic:

eHealth Integration in the US Healthcare System.

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Blog #3 - Kickstart Group Technology

While I remain open to other suggestions, I am quite interested in researching the current state of health information systems (HIS) and how the integration of electronic health records (EHR) may be improved. 

Before returning to school full time, I worked in EMS and regularly composed electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCRs). However, I noticed that our electronic documentation was primarily for internal use only (unless it would be requested by EMS authority). While this makes sense, I wondered why our ePCR system couldn’t be integrated with the similar EHR system of receiving hospitals we transfer patients to. In theory, my rationale is that the following improvements could be made:

Streamlining pertinent patient information to waiting healthcare teams (this may include trending vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, cardiac rhythm, etc). Note: the methodology of transmitting this data could prove to be problematic when considering applicable security/privacy vulnerabilities. Obviously, HIPPA would dictate this in practice. Considering this as a feature of such technology would necessitate consulting such guidelines, policy, and law.

Though a more specific outcome, when considering rural EMS services (thus, longer transport times to stroke/STEMI/trauma centers), it would provide for a potential expansion of the delivery of care. It could be likened to remotely integrating a hospital care team “in the back of the ambulance.” Note: Again, this is an area where there could be plenty of fuss. Though EMS professionals already have field treatment protocols that involve contacting medical control, this potential technology could be designed and operated in conjunction with established or updated, compliant procedure. 

Well, those are just a couple potential areas of improvement. Without doubt, there are more, and each of those likely come with challenges of their own. It’s a topic I would like to bring to the group for consideration. Here’s to hoping their interested in the idea.

[wildcat307]

Blog #2 - History in Pictures

Invention of the Phonograph - Thomas Edison (1878)

Link: https://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/edison/aa_edison_phonograph_1_e.html

Credit: Edison, Thomas A.. "Edison with Cylinder Phonograph; Washington, DC; April 18, 1878." 1878. Photo courtesy of U. S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site. 

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Invention of the Cassette (1963) Image taken in 1965.

Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/10/975598869/lou-ottens-inventor-of-the-cassette-tape-has-died

Credit: Pictured

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Invention of the CD Player (1982)

Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2012-10-01/play-pause-a-look-at-30-years-of-the-compact-disc#:~:text=Sony%20CDP%2D101,1982%20(about%20%242%2C230%20today).

Credit: Bloomberg.com (unlisted)

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Invention of the Portable CD Player (1984)

Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2012-10-01/play-pause-a-look-at-30-years-of-the-compact-disc#:~:text=Sony%20CDP%2D101,1982%20(about%20%242%2C230%20today).

Credit: Bloomberg.com (unlisted)

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Introduction of the iPod (2001)

Link: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-complete-history-of-apples-ipod/

Credit: cnet.com (unlisted)

[wildcat307]

About Me:

Welcome! I am excited to learn more about the technology that is so entrenched in our daily lives, and how it influences us as individuals and as a society.

My academic background is in nursing and philosophy, so exploring the course material is a new frontier for me. Nevertheless, as technology advances and is incorporated into our healthcare delivery systems—I couldn't be taking the class at a better time. I think the class will give me a greater appreciation for the technological tools I sometimes may take for granted.