Online Privacy

 Our privacy is under threat more than ever in this age of innovation. In an age of technology where we are all connected, I was beyond shocked to learn from Dr. Smith’s lecture and his videos just how vulnerable we truly are. Our information is always being tracked and monitored by mega-corporates such as Facebook and Google. My fears were even more exasperated after Dr. Smith taught us about the Adhesion contract, an agreement usually made where one party gains a large amount of power over a weaker party. An adhesion contract is typically the terms and agreement contract we all sign without looking through when we update things such as our Apple ID. These contracts allow these mega corporations to track our online activity and to even instill certain features on our phones based on that activity. A prime example of this would be personalized advertisements created through Google’s algorithm. I think I was always vaguely aware of this but I never knew it was as secretive as it was. It is important that we are not naive to how our information is spread online and how it can be used against us without us even knowing.

Source for picture:

https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/5-ways-to-improve-your-online-privacy-and-security-right-now/

Innovation Diffusion- Cell Phones

 

    The cellphone is an invention that I believe can be viewed through the lens of innovation diffusion. First created in 1973 by Martin Cooper, a Motorola employee. Its convenience of having no wires and portable meant that it could reach people across widespread areas of land. This convenience, along with its ability to reach out for emergency help wherever you are, created a broad base of early adopters. 

    However, despite the cell phone’s popularity, many have simply refused to adapt to it. This is due to it being too tricky to use in many of its more technical features such as internet connection and texting and it being expensive. Today, many phones cost more than $1,000. That does not even include service or ADDITIONAL FEES. There are also other options for such detractors to consider such as the availability of landlines and public phones. For them, they may not simply need a cell phone. 

    Overall, cell phones are a ver y positive innovation which has allowed our world to become ever more connected, no matter where we are. Also, modern cell phones allow us the opportunity to access a camera, news, social media, and even email with absolute ease. However, this connectivity can also present downsides as it can easily become very overwhelming. Some can even become addicted to it. Still, cell phones and their convenience outweigh all the negatives. Like it or not, cell phones have changed the way the world works. 

Source:

https://www.knowyourmobile.com/phones/the-history-of-mobile-phones-from-1973-to-2008-the-handsets-that-made-it-all-happen-d58/