# Reading Response Set 1
## **Response #1**
**How the Web Works**
Reflecting on the article title, “How the web works,” I was optimistic that I would, in fact, understand how the web worked after reading this piece. Although interesting, I am not sure I completely grasp the complexities and vastness surrounding the internet and what it holds. While the article material was well-articulated and easy to digest, questions still remain regarding how data travels across the internet, as well as how servers have the ability to communicate with one another. On the other hand, the metaphor comparing the web to a road allowed me to create a visual as I read along. Each piece added to this metaphor created a clearer understanding of the steps that go into the communication of a website to a server. For example, other factors that ensure one is directed to the appropriate page includes Domain Name Systems, which act as an address book for websites to ensure you are returning to something familiar, and HTTP which allows these servers to speak to each other.

Additionally, the second article focuses primarily on HTTPs, specifically highlighting its job to protect a user’s personal data as they surf the web. Although both pieces discuss in detail the intricacies of the internet, it is also made evident just how convenient the process has become for the user. Hundreds of tasks are performed behind the scenes unbeknownst to us. A simple search requires every piece of this puzzle to complete its function quickly and correctly in order to reach peak performance. Growing up during the advanced age of the internet, it is easy to take these luxuries for granted. Rather than being enthralled by the internet’s being, it has become an expectation that it performs to our standards. Having the opportunity to understand what goes on behind the screen puts into perspective just how fascinating our technological advancements are.

## Response #2
**Gossip and Super Cooperators**
"Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people"- Socrates. It is not often you will find someone disagreeing with the great Greek philosopher Socrates. When it comes to gossip, however, psychologist Robin Dunbar could not disagree with him more. When discussing [gossip](https://readingthecomments.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/dtys4tyk/release/2#gossip), Dunbar claims the act is crucial to understanding humanity as a whole. We not only rely on gossip, our species thrives on it. Additionally, Martin Nowak's piece, "Super Cooperators," discusses defectors and cooperators in several circumstances. Ultimately determining that people "like to punish" and that costly punishment is a medium to promote cooperation (p. 32). Both pieces can defend the argument that no matter the situation, humankind will presumably make decisions as they see fit, regardless of if it is the correct one.

Nowak's article states it best: humankind is more willing to punish others if it meant the greater good of society as a whole. The term "altruistic punishment" describes this perspective entirely. Research has shown that our urge to punish is present whether or not we benefit personally from the action. This belief can also correlate to claims made in the gossip article. Just as we seek to cooperate and make decisions based off of societal needs, gossip is used as an integral part of communities looking to share knowledge and find commonalities. Dunbar states that our species has such large brains because of the generations of alliances we have created through social grooming, including gossip. Means of communication has evolved over the years, forcing humans to discover new ways of collaborating in order to fulfill this evolutionary standard. Similarly, mechanisms of cooperation shape these cultural evolutions through our behaviors, clothing, and how we communicate. We tend to alter the way we act by learning from each other; thus, we continue to evolve. Wanting to learn more about the relationship between gossip and cooperation in society, I came across an article titled ["Gossip promotes cooperation only when it is pro-socially motivated"](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08670-7). It states that gossip allows individuals to avoid defective partners and instead select cooperative ones. Further proving the connection between defective vs. cooperative partners as stated in "Super Cooperators." As I am sure Dunbar would agree, cooperation and gossip are essential elements integrated in today's culture and ones that should not be replaced.

## Response #3
**Haters**
Just as the (unarguably) best songwriter of our generation says: "cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate...I shake it off, shake it off," I think it's obvious we can all learn a thing or two from the great Taylor Swift. The piece, "Reading the Comments" discusses the continued spread of online hate and bullying, as well as its spread into other areas. For example, trolling was used to describe the act of provoking response, whereas haters are those seeking to belittle others by spreading extreme hostility in an effort to cause distress upon that person. Growing up, we are told to ignore bullies, assuming that his or her tactics would eventually cease if withheld from a reaction. Nowadays, though, it has become harder and harder to ignore these bullies. Hateful speech has turned into online harassment, threatening comments, and disturbing images and videos made public. The number one influence in this now is, of course, the growth of social media. According to the NPR, 9.2 million pieces of bullying and harassment content on Facebook, and 7.8 million posts on Instagram during one quarter [(NPR)](https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053924352/facebook-instagram-bullying-harassment-numbers). While these figures may seem large, the amount of destructive content that is shared daily without being removed is just as overwhelming. Because of free speech, posts that potentially include hate speech, bullying and harassment make it difficult for servers to identify what should be flagged and what should not.

When I reflect on pop-culture and its influence on the surge of bullying, my mind does not immediately blame social media. However, that is not to say that social media is not responsible for an immense amount of harmful content, societal pressures, and body image issues now. When I was growing up, I was not allowed to have social media until a certain age. When I received my first smartphone my parents said, "with access to social media comes great responsibility." So, it's safe to say I was taught the importance of a technological footprint from a young age. However, all the years leading up to getting my first iPhone were filled with my favorite movies, TV shows, and books, all of which introduced me to the idea of bullying. *Mean Girls, Wonder, The Devil Wears Prada, and Karate Kid* were a few among the many examples of bullying and mistreatment displayed on a daily basis. Whether I had a smartphone in my hand or not, I was exposed to the idea of haters and trolls early on. The difference between what I saw on TV then and what I see on my Instagram feed today is how these situations are resolved. Bullies highlighted in these shows and movies almost always got what was coming to them by the end of the story. I quickly learned this was not the case in real life. Social media has simply reassured this idea. Online haters and trolls continuously get away with this mistreatment because they are protected by a screen. The inaccurate depiction of haters has caused this issue to thrive, ultimately provoking damage upon all victims involved.

## Response #4
**Exam Questions**
**Multiple Choice Questions:**
1. Based on what we learned about social dilemmas, natural resources are an example of what?
a. Non-excludable, rivalrous tragedy of commons
b. Excludable, non-rivalrous tragedy of commons
c. Non-excludable, non-rivalrous PG conditions
d. Excludable, rivalrous PG conditions

2. According to Hoffman's *Blitscaling*, what is one implication regarding social media startups?
a. When entering a new market, growing and acquiring users tends to be a slow process
b. The industry has seen exponential growth in the last five years.
c. When entering an existing market, it is hard to displace incumbents.
d. It is an extremely saturated market and one that should be avoided by startups.

**Short Essay/Response:**
3. When considering the credibility of a web page, what are three ways a user could check the trustworthiness of a site?
4. Explain the difference between trolls and haters.

**Answers:**
1. a
2. c
3. You can check the credibility of a site by inspecting the URL, going back to the source, and triangulating. Interrogating the URL for hints such as ".co" or "lo" can expose a fake or deceptive site from a credible one. Going back to the original source when a fact is mentioned in an article can remove any questioning of the figure and provide additional information including its *bona fides* as well. Lastly, triangulating through various sources and multiple information databases allows a user to rule out any possible hoaxes. These include traditional media, library catalogues, and websites. *(Other accepted answers include: check about and about me pages, considering the website's political stance, validating information, and reconsidering before forwarding/sharing)*
4. Trolls tend to provoke others with outlandish comments that may come off as insincere, however, they are usually in it for the laughs. Haters, on the other hand, attack others often by targeting something specific in an effort to cause distress with the intention of harming and belittling the victim.

## Response #5
**Gender, Communication, and Contribution**
Boys play harder than girls. Or, at least, that's what my brother used to say. After a long day of playing outside together, this was my brother's go-to phrase to try and reason why I was not nearly as exhausted as he was. At the time, I did not understand the meaning of him saying this to me. I would usually brush this off and remain silently satisfied knowing I was the "superior" athlete. As I grew up though, this statement eventually became humorous. Although I know he did not mean it maliciously, it is evident my brother displayed the understanding of sex-linked behaviors early on. Growing up, we hear of the sexism and gender differences society demonstrates daily, despite many trying to argue the "science" behind it. As stated in the Wired article, "science has, too often in human history, been a tool for literal dehumanization as a rationale for oppression." This "science" is the same information that is forced into our minds when the question of gender superiority is present yet ignored when basic human rights are placed into the hands of the government. Not surprisingly though, this logic has made its way into the workplace. This article discusses a document submitted by a Google employee which questions the fact that the company has made gender representation a corporate priority. Like many pieces regarding this subject manner, this is seen as an attempt to permanently foster a power dynamic that should not exist in a professional environment, let alone at all. When some companies try to take one step forward to create a safe and secure work environment, people like this take us two (more like two hundred) steps back. But why are we even at a point where gender equality is something we need to specifically maintain as a society? Shouldn't this go without saying?

In addition to the workforce, gender differences has made its mark in technology as well. Krasnova discusses the theory of gendered self-construal, stating its use to derive the role of gender in the relationships on SNSs (social networking sites). Due to the activity of these individuals, gender groups are the easiest and largest for SNS providers. Just as the data suggests, gender stereotypes remain consistent virtually. For example, table 2 in "The Role of Gender Differences" compared evidence for female relational interdependence and male collective interdependence. Females are more likely to ask home and family questions, more likely to stress about relationships and feelings, and more interested in social topics. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to promote their work on these networks, more likely to use SNS for educational and professional purposes, and more likely to stress their strength and power in their portrayals. While some of these data points are valid, others can be viewed as "feeding into" the stereotypes. This reenforces the idea that women are only into their looks and social life, while males prioritize their jobs and use social media to network rather than for personal enjoyment. Regardless of the setting though, gender inequality has fostered a negative ideology in the way we act, think, and speak.