#kpb206

Our obsession with information has caused the inundation of data on the storage capacity of the internet. The collection of data sets has become so large and complex that it is difficult to understand information without the use of processing applications (Snigders, Matzat, Reips, 2012, p 1-2). And these databases are growing at a phenomenal rate. Figures suggest that the volume of data doubled approximately every three since the beginning of the internet in the public domain. In 2007, the volume of data is believed to have reached 295 exabytes and, it is predicted that it will exceed 1000 exabytes by 2015. This is far more information than anyone could process in their lifetime, or even 100 lifetimes (Hilbert, 2011). So why is so much information being created?

Much of this data has come to existence through the prevalence of Big Data mining in almost every information industry. Mass amounts of data are being extrapolated from the keystrokes we use on social media websites, the web pages we visit most often and the videos that hold our attention the longest. In fact, any click or non-click has the potential to be mined, catalogued and sold to any business or government (Siegel, 2013). Big data has become a valuable commodity as the information attained can be used to create economic/scientific/business models and predict the success of a product through patterns in the habits of consumers (Woodford, 2014) (Siegel, 2013). It’s kind of like the way television studios use ratings to create and buy content but on a much more personal scale.

This ability to predict patterns in human behaviour has valuable applications for the rest of society outside of the internet too. A trial is currently underway in Los Angeles where law enforcement officers must rely on the use of data to patrol and respond to crimes. In the most dangerous parts of LA where gang violence is rampant and the production and distribution of narcotics is used to fund criminal activity, the quick response of a law enforcement officer is vital in protecting the innocent. A computer algorithm based on the collection of crime data over the past 80 years attempts to predict the location of a crime before it occurs. By projecting the current data on to our understandings of human behavioural patterns, scientists have been able to further isolate potential crime hot spots, leading to the arrest of offenders before a more serious crime is committed (BBC, 2013). Certainly, this has had a considerable impact on the way law enforcement works in the United States, but when does predicting big data impede on innocence? The potential to abuse criminal data may have detrimental effects on implicating criminals on a crime they haven’t committed. Much like Steven Speilberg’s Minority Report, data has the potential to be manipulated and used for political gain (Yaniv, 2014). With our obsession over data and its application in almost all aspects of life, it’s almost impossible to comprehend its positive or negative potential. Like most innovations, Big Data could be used for either but its up to us to dictate its future.

References:

BBC. 2013. “The Age of Big Data.” BBC Video posted 18 July 2013. Accessed May 9th http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rt4c7

Martin Hilbert & Priscila López (2011). The World's Technological Capacity to Store, Communicate, and Compute Information. Science, 332(6025), 60-65.

Mor, Yaniv. 2014. “Big Data and Law Enforcement – Was ‘Minority Report’ Right?” Wired. Accessed May 9th http://www.wired.com/2014/03/big-data-law-enforcement-minority-report-right/

Siegel, Eric. 2013. “Introduction – The Prediction Effect.” In Predictive Analytics, 1-16. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Snijders, C., Matzat, U., & Reips, U.-D. 2012. ‘Big Data’: Big gaps of knowledge in the field of Internet. International Journal of Internet Science, 7, 1-5

There is no weapon on the planet more powerful than speech. With the dominance of technology and social media quickly influencing all aspects of our lives, speech has prospered, establishing a new weapon in our endless fight for freedom. People sharing similar ideologies are empowered through their connectivity with other activists over a vast landscape of political agendas, sharing their visionary ideas of social changes and foreshadowing the potential of revolutionary militancy (Shirky, 2011).

Certainly, this aggressive activism does exist through social media to a large degree. Online petitions vehemently advocate for a change in social standards due to the belief that ‘clicktivism’ is now essential in sparking a revolution (White, 2010). But what most interests me is the use of hacking to express a political agenda and the influence this can have in the social media sphere. What has been described as ‘hacktivism,’ seeks to exploit our reliance on digital mediums, often creating an inconvenience for consumers which in turn has an impact on the reputation of the targeted group.

A key example of hacktivism at work was in the aftermath of the Wikileaks scandal in December 2010. A group of collective hacktivists known as Anonymous rallied thousands of prospective revolutionary’s on 4chan and Twitter, calling for a Denial of Service attack on Paypal, postfinance.ch and Visa in an attempt to bring down the websites.

Visa and Paypal’s online services were temporarily interrupted creating a major inconvenience for consumers. Meanwhile, Postfinance.ch was down for more than 24 hours due to the amount of traffic being created through the DDoS attack; the first in history to be successful against a bank. Anonymous had made its agenda clear as the news of the attacks began circling all media outlets, from trending on Twitter to broadcasts on national television stations. But most importantly, Anonymous emphasised the power and influence of speech in our digital landscape (Knappenberger, 2012). It would appear as though this aggressive form of activism has been taken for granted as the hype surrounding digital activism quickly diminishes. Hacktivists appear to no longer have the same social impact as they did a few years ago. Most sceptics believe that hacktivism has dampened the likelihood of any cultural revolution in the near future as most digital natives are inclined to click a petition for support rather than be actively engaged themselves (White, 2010). And I would mostly agree. Perhaps another social injustice is required before any aggressive activism will be seen. Or perhaps more needs to be at risk, such as our freedom to use the internet.

References: Knappenberger, Brian. 2012. We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists. Directed by Brian Knappenberger. Produced by Luminant Media. n.p: FilmBuff. DVD.

White, Micah. 2010. “Clicktivism is ruining leftist activism,” The Guardian. Accessed May 3rd http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/12/clicktivism-ruining-leftist-activism

‘Are you afraid of being alone? Worried that you are becoming socially inept? Tired of not being invited out with friends? Well today’s your lucky day! For an unlimited time, you, yes you, can join a social media platform that allows you to have a social life from the comfort of your home! It’s simple!’

As cliché as it sounds, this is the sales pitch we as society are pitched with every day. Perhaps not consciously, though through our immersion with new media’s and the social ease they provide. No longer are we restrained by time and space. Technologies and the way we use them have interconnected with social requirements and formed a mass reliance on social media that we see today.  This ‘mediapolis’ (Deuze, 2011) is a result of social arrangements, practices and artefacts which has affected society on an educational, promotional and self-formative level.  

Our ‘Golden Ticket’ artefacts have made way for a new range of practices assisted by social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Such social media’s now allow us to create a timeline enriched with photographic snapshots, video and textual based content that forms a virtual ‘identity’; henceforth, a new culture has been borne. This social media culture however, is not just a way to entertain ourselves and pass time, rather a way to promote our personalities and further expand our knowledge of both ourselves and the world. Every time we post an image or share a link, we are connecting with others. Every time we ‘like’ a funny meme we are recognising our own humour and applauding another for theirs. Each time passing on more and more information about ourselves. However, though this may seem like a marvellous thing, it can prove dangerous.

For the social benefits of social media, there are also a price we pay for its use. Our online profile can be related to that of a ‘glass bedroom’ where “…private conversations and intimate conversations occur…”, though with an unknown audience of an unknown scale invited to watch, participate and judge (Pearson, 2009). This is where the line of privacy tends to blur. Though Wonka’s chocolate factory is exciting and sweet at first, there can be repercussions upon entrance (I don’t want to turn into a blueberry, do you?) Economic gain through commercial promotion being a priority for social media head-honcho’s and as such, privacy settings tend to benefit the renown of the platform rather than the individual utilising it.  

A conclusive round-up seems to be in order. Our techno-social world provides us with a place to express ourselves, self-reflect, form relationships with ourselves and others, however it is decreasing the value of privacy making individuals potential targets for nefarious characters and those seeking economical gain. However, while technologies do allow us to adapt in our culture, it does not force us to act or interact in a particular way. So it’s completely up to you if you…

‘Embrace this social media now for just two easy payments!” (#postagenotincluded)

500 Words

References

Deuze, Mark. 2011. “Media life.” Media Culture & Society. 33 (1): 137-148. Accessed 13 March, 2014. DOI: 10.1177/0163443710386518.

That Boy Needs Therapy... Web Therapy - KCB206

It used to be the norm to make an appointment to see the GP if you were coughing, had a fever or even if you just weren't feeling quite right. The doctor would talk to you, and from your description and a test or two, would diagnose your symptoms, write you a prescription and send you on your way. These days however, the internet has made it easier to self diagnose, meaning less trips to the doctors in your pajamas, red nosed and looking - for lack of a better word - ghastly, making the internet todays doctor.

To go one step further, people are now turning to online therapy or E-Therapy. An online therapy designed to offer advice via blog, questionnaires, email and video chat (Stark 2010). This poses some issues. The uncertainty the qualifications of a therapist can be questionable. Also there are concerns brought up by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatric's and the Australian Psychological Society suggesting that "seriously ill patients could miss out on appropriate care if they rely solely on online programs” with the possibility of failing to detect serious illness (Stark 2010).

In saying that, online medical advice such as e-therapy does have its advantages - avoiding wait lists, providing a sense of security i.e. anxiety sufferers (Stark 2010) and its accessible medical advice - just be sure to find qualified and reliable sources. 

- References -

Stark, Jill. 2010. "Mentally ill turn to e-therapy." The Age, May 30. Accessed April 2, 2012. http://www.theage.com.au/national/mentally-ill-turn-to-etherapy-20100529-wml9.html#ixzz1qsYmNjID.