EOTO - Reaction Post

Motion Pictures

Lumiére brothers

Motion pictures are one of the most influential communication technologies ever created. In 1895, the Lumière brothers in France held one of the first public film screenings, demonstrating a technology that would quickly transform entertainment and communication around the world. 

Film created a new form of mass communication that could reach audiences regardless of language or literacy level. Movies introduced people to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives while also helping preserve important historical moments. 

As someone who is a huge lover of film, learning about the origins of motion pictures makes me appreciate them even more. Movies have the ability to tell powerful stories, create emotional connections, and bring people together in a way few other forms of media can. 

Headphones

Early headphones were developed in the late 1800s for telephone operators and radio communications. Over time, advances in audio technology made them smaller, lighter, and more affordable for consumers. By the late twentieth century, portable music players helped make headphones a common personal accessory, and today wireless earbuds have become a major part of daily life.

The invention of headphones changed the way people consume media. Before headphones became widely available, listening to music, radio broadcasts, or other audio was usually a shared experience. Headphones made it possible for individuals to enjoy sound privately without disturbing others. 

I use headphones all the time, which is why I think they are such an important invention. They allow me to focus when studying, enjoy music wherever I am, and listen to videos without distractions. What may seem like a simple piece of technology has actually had a major impact on communication and media consumption. 

Wi-Fi

It is difficult to imagine modern life without Wi-Fi. Wireless networking technology was developed through decades of research in radio communications and computer networking. The first Wi-Fi standard was released in 1997, allowing devices to connect to the internet without physical cables. 

Wireless internet transformed homes, schools, businesses, and public spaces by making connectivity more flexible and convenient. People no longer needed to remain tied to a desktop computer or network cable to access information. 

Learning that Wi-Fi does not actually stand for anything was one of the most interesting facts about its history. Because Wi-Fi is so common, most people never think about where it came from or how it works. Yet it has become one of the most important technologies of the modern era. Without Wi-Fi, many aspects of communication, education, business, and entertainment would be far less convenient. Its ability to instantly connect people to information and to one another is what makes it such a remarkable invention.

AI Disclosure: AI was not used in the research and information for this blog post. All information came from the notes I took while watching EOTO presentations on the History of Communication Technology. Then, I prompted Microsoft365 to help me shape my notes into a blog post of at least 300 words, written in a journalistic and professional style. Finally, I added appropriate images and links to give the blog post a professional look. 

EOTO - Facebook

On February 4, 2004, a 19-year-old Harvard University student named Mark Zuckerberg launched a website called TheFacebook from his dorm room. Working alongside fellow students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Andrew McCollum, Zuckerberg created a platform that would eventually become one of the most influential communication technologies in modern history. Facebook began as an online social networking service designed specifically for Harvard students before expanding to other colleges and eventually the general public.

Mark Zuckerberg

The idea emerged from a simple problem. College students wanted an easier way to connect with classmates, learn about people on campus, and maintain social relationships online. Universities often distributed printed "face books" that contained student photos and basic information. Zuckerberg and his team transformed this concept into a digital platform where users could create profiles and connect instantly. 

What made Facebook different from earlier websites was its focus on identity and connection. Users were encouraged to use their real names and create authentic profiles. The platform allowed people to share photos, interests, status updates, and personal information while building social networks online. As Facebook expanded beyond universities in 2006, millions of people gained a new way to stay connected with friends and family regardless of location. 

Facebook's impact on communication has been enormous. Before social media, communication often depended on phone calls, letters, emails, or face-to-face interactions. Facebook introduced a new model in which information could be shared instantly with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people at once. News, photographs, personal updates, and events could spread across networks within seconds. This transformed how people maintain relationships, organize events, and share information. Researchers and communication experts widely recognize social media as a major force in creating real-time global communication. 

Facebook also solved several communication problems. It reduced barriers created by geography, allowing friends and families to stay connected across long distances. Businesses gained affordable tools to reach customers, while communities, nonprofits, and political movements could organize supporters more efficiently than ever before. The platform helped create a more interconnected world where information became easier to access and distribute. 

However, Facebook's influence has not been entirely positive. Critics have raised concerns about user privacy, data collection, misinformation, and political manipulation. The Cambridge Analytica scandal brought worldwide attention to questions about how user data was collected and shared. Researchers have also noted concerns about social media addiction, echo chambers, online harassment, and the rapid spread of false information. These challenges have fueled ongoing debates about the ethical responsibilities of social media companies. 

More than two decades after its launch, Facebook remains one of the most significant technological innovations in communication history. It transformed a simple university networking idea into a global communication platform that reshaped how people interact, share information, conduct business, and participate in society. Its story demonstrates both the incredible potential and the complex challenges of digital communication in the modern world.

AI Disclosure: AI was used to research the information for this blog post. I prompted Microsoft365 Copilot to create a blog post between 500-600 words that was written in a professional and journalistic style for a project in my Communication Law & Ethics college level class. I asked it to research the history and impact of Facebook. I added links to online sources and images. 

Privacy, Online & Off

After watching these TED Talks, one idea stood out to me: privacy is much more complicated than most people realize. Many of us move through our daily lives assuming that our personal information stays personal, but the videos suggested that a surprising amount of data about us can be collected, tracked, and stored.

Catherine Crump focused on how governments and law enforcement agencies can gather information about citizens. Something as simple as driving a car can reveal a lot about a person. Visits to church, an AA meeting, or a therapist's office can all become part of a larger picture of someone's life.

The TED talk discussed technologies such as automatic license plate readers, which collect information on vehicles that pass by. According to the video, some local police departments keep records of every license plate they scan. Crump also described how different pieces of information can be combined into large databases that make it possible to track where citizens are traveling.

And this is not limited to the United States.

The video explained that similar practices exist in places like the United Kingdom. It also introduced the idea of a "cell tower dump," where law enforcement can identify the people using a cell tower at a specific time and potentially track their locations. One concern raised in the TED talk was that data collected for one purpose could eventually be used for things like political advantage or even blackmail.

In Christopher Soghoian's TED talk, he shifted the conversation toward communication and surveillance. One point that stood out to me was the claim that telephone systems and communication networks were originally built with surveillance in mind. Soghoian argued that when we talk on the phone, there is always the possibility that someone could be listening, whether it is a government, a foreign intelligence agency, a hacker, or a criminal.

At the same time, the TED talk presented encryption as an important solution. Soghoian explained that technology companies have developed strong encryption tools that make surveillance much more difficult. By making encryption widely available, these companies have helped give everyday people greater security and privacy in their communications.

Soghoian framed the issue as a choice between two different worlds: one where anyone can wiretap calls and messages more easily, and another where surveillance is harder but everyone benefits from stronger security.

Juan Enriquez looked at privacy from a different angle. He compared "electronic tattoos" to traditional body tattoos. While regular tattoos may fade or become less noticeable over time, electronic tattoos can last forever because digital information can remain accessible indefinitely.

Enriquez connected this idea to the Greek story of Orpheus and Eurydice, suggesting that constantly looking into a person's past may not always be healthy. In a digital world where information can stay online forever, our past actions and decisions may follow us much longer than we expect.

Taken together, these videos made me think more carefully about how information is collected, stored, and remembered. Whether through location tracking, surveillance, encryption, or digital records that never disappear, privacy is no longer just a personal issue. It has become an important part of living in a connected world.

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 TED talk videos. I then prompted Microsoft Copilot Pro to help me shape my notes into a blog post of at least 300 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 and captions to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look. 

Eight Values of Free Expression

Marketplace of Ideas

The first value of free expression that I chose is the Marketplace of Ideas. This was first suggested by Milton and talks about how when there is both truth and falsehood coexisting, the truth will win. I feel like this should be true because people should be able to recognize what is accurate and believe the correct information. 

However, in today's world, this can often be a challenge because of technology and media we have access to and how quickly ideas can spread. With social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram, information can reach millions of people in just matter of minutes. As a result, false information can sometimes spread before it has a chance to be corrected. 

A good example of this is when false information circulates online about major breaking news events. In many cases, details are reported incorrectly at first and then later corrected as more facts become available. By the time the corrections are made, the original information has already been shared by millions of people. This demonstrates that while the truth about events may eventually be revealed, false information being spread can still have a major impact before it is corrected. 

This value of free expression is important to me because of how easy it is for false information to possibly be spread. Most times when I read something or find something online, I feel as though I have to go through multiple sources and channels to make sure the information is correct and is what was originally reported. In a world where information spreads so quickly, it is becoming more important than ever to think critically about what we see and hear. 

Stable Change

Another value of free expression that felt important to me was Stable Change. This value talks about how if angry citizens are allowed to speak their minds and "vent," there will be more stability in society, and people will be less likely to resort to violence. In my opinion, this seems logical because people often want to feel heard. If they have a way to express their frustrations, they may be more likely to seek change through discussion rather than through harmful actions. 

Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University

However, that is not always the case. People today have many opportunities to express their opinions publicly, whether it be through social media, protests, or other forms of communication. despite these opportunities, acts of violence still occur. These occurrences suggest that while free expression can give people an outlet for their frustrations, it is not a perfect solution to every problem in society.

For example, in the killing of Charlie Kirk, the individual had many different ways to express his disagreement with Kirk's views. Instead, that individual chose to still use violence instead of discussing or debating with Kirk. This demonstrates that while free expression can provide an outlet for frustration, it does not guarantee that everyone will choose peaceful ways to respond to issues. 

Another example is the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This situation showed how violence can still occur in a society where people are free to express criticism and dissatisfaction. Once again, rather than creating change through discussion, an act of violence took place. 

Supreme Court Video Reflection

The United States Supreme Court is located in Washington D.C.

The United States Supreme Court is made up of nine justices and is often described as the most powerful judicial body on earth. Yet its influence depends on something that cannot be measured by law alone: public faith in the Court’s independence and impartiality.

One of the most interesting things I learned is that the justices are responsible for interpreting a Constitution that is more than 200 years old. That creates both challenges and opportunities as they apply the principles of the Constitution to modern issues.

The Court also has a strong sense of tradition. Whenever a new justice joins, a group portrait is taken. Over the Court’s history, more than one hundred justices have served, with an average tenure of about sixteen years, although many remain on the bench much longer.

Becoming a justice is not simple.

The president nominates candidates, but the Senate must confirm them through a lengthy process. Even after appointment, it can take years for a justice to feel fully comfortable in the role. One justice described the experience as finally improving once they stopped thinking about the fact that they were actually there.

John Marshall

The Supreme Court’s history is closely tied to the nation’s history. In 1801, after the federal government moved to Washington, the Court was given temporary quarters in an unfinished section of the Capitol. Under John Marshall, the Court strengthened its role in interpreting the Constitution and earned greater public respect.

Not every chapter was a success. The Dred Scott v. Sanford case weakened the Court’s authority and is remembered as its greatest self-inflicted wound. The issue was ultimately resolved through the Civil War, and the 14th Amendment later became so important that some people refer to it as a second Bill of Rights.

Today, the Court remains extremely busy. More than 7,000 cases reach the Court each year, with over 100 new cases arriving every week. Most are petitions, and only a small number are accepted for review.

Although each justice has a small staff of law clerks and secretaries, the justices emphasize that they do their own work. They meet weekly to select and discuss cases, and their conferences follow a simple rule: everyone speaks once before anyone speaks twice. Even the tradition of shaking hands before meetings reflects the respect that helps the Court function.

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 of between 300 and 3350 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 and captions to help break up the type and give the post a more professional look. 

Top 5 News Sources

1. ABC World News Tonight with David Muir

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir is a source I like a lot because it covers more than just local and national news, its focus is on world news. I think it is very important to stay informed on issues and situations happening around the world. It is even more important to understand who they affect, why they affect them, and how they affect other people and areas. I have found that this information can also be helpful when I am in the classroom if it is brought up in discussion. I would recommend ABC World News Tonight to everyone because it is important to be aware of the current global issues that are happening.

2. ABC7 Eyewitness News

ABC7 Eyewitness News is a source that I refer to very often, mostly because it covers news in the Tri-State Area surrounding New Jersey, which is where I am from. This source is helpful to me in case I travel into New York City for the day and need to stay informed about what is happening in the area around me. ABC7 News also keeps me updated on the local weather and traffic, which could affect my travels. I would recommend ABC7 News to anyone living in the Tri-State Area because it will notify them of any major local news happening that could affect their daily lives. 

3. TAPinto Clark

TAPinto Clark is a news source that I utilize very often because it provides me with local news specifically about my hometown. It is updated daily with articles and information about things happening in my town. For example, TAPinto covers all things ranging from academics and the school district, town sports, major town council events, and even car accidents that happen in town. This source is very useful to me because even while I am at college, I am still able to stay informed about what is happening in town. I would recommend this news source to anyone who lives in my town or in the surrounding towns and counties. 

4. WXII 12 news

WXII 12 news is another source I go to for more local news. It covers events happening in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, including Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. This source provides me with updated information about weather, local events, and things happening in the community near HPU. I would recommend this source to anyone who lives in the Piedmont Triad area and wants to stay informed about the local news. 

5. D1 Women’s College Volleyball

The D1 Women’s College Volleyball page on NCAA.com is another news source that I chose because I am a big volleyball fan and follow college volleyball closely. This source provides me with not only game updates and highlights but also information about some of the biggest names and teams in college volleyball. It has articles covering information about top players to watch and NCAA awards. This source has an abundance of information all in one place and helps me stay up to date on the latest news during the season. I would recommend this source to anyone who is interested in college volleyball and wants real-time updates about events.