###### tags: `CDA`
# Reading Responses (Set 2)

- Checklist for a [good reading response](https://reagle.org/joseph/zwiki/Teaching/Best_Practices/Learning/Writing_Responses.html) of 250-350 words
- [ ] Begin with a punchy start.
- [ ] Mention specific ideas, details, and examples from the text and earlier classes.
- [ ] Offer something novel that you can offer towards class participation.
- [ ] Check for writing for clarity, concision, cohesion, and coherence.
- [ ] Send to professor with “hackmd” in the subject, with URL of this page and markdown of today’s response.

## Reading responses 5 out of 5

### Mar 19 - Ads & Social Graph Background
*In what ways are online reviews, ratings, rankings, and comments manipulated? What can you trust and how would you know?*

Using fake reviews to grow your company seems like an easy way to the top. But what does that choice say about your character or even your mental health?

Online reviews, ratings, rankings, and comments can say a lot about a business and can even be exactly what a business needs to grow to its fullest potential. According to Geoffrey Fowler, "There are global businesses dedicated to generating fake reviews for scammers and merchants looking for a shortcut" (Fowler, 2023). Many people find that exploiting their reviews for their growing restaurant, shop, or any other business benefits them. But behind the motives and drives, I question, what is ultimately happening in the minds of these people and how can it actually bite them in the end?

Some time ago I knew someone who owned a barber shop and while I did enjoy the haircut I had from this person I noticed certain things about this person's character. The service itself wasn't the greatest, waited over an hour even though I set up an appointment through an app, constantly micromanaged their employee while they were trying to learn, and even stopped to talk throughout the haircut multiple times. It wasn't the best experience but I thought I'd give them the benefit of the doubt considering they were new to owning a barbershop. Then some days later I went to check their reviews and I realized a lot of them seemed constructed or not fully truthful. Then through further inspection, I see that the owner himself wrote a 5-star review (with his actual personal account!) from the perspective of a customer.

The reason I introduce this story is that I noticed this is a lot more common in the business industry than I thought: A lot of people who are greatly impacted by any negative feedback they receive, that they end up blocking it out completely instead of using it to improve. Joseph Reagle comments on this type of behavior by saying "external imposition (such as a payment or punishment) often lessens people’s internal motives related to feelings such as autonomy, mastery, usefulness, and self-esteem." (Reagle, 2019). Disregarding negative feedback and reverting it to false positivity in the meantime feels great, but ultimately it is lessening this owner's true motives of becoming a good barber. Dealing with negative feedback this way can leave people feeling stuck and living in a false narrative. To find true success and growth in a business it's best to be true to yourself and your customers as it will put you on a path that best aligns with your passion. Reviews in general may be in question, but without hearing the negative side of things we may never improve posing the real importance of reading and leaving reviews. Be wary as to why you may choose to exploit or take a shortcut because it could be in the way of your true potential.

### Apr 02 - Artificial Intelligence
*Bots are now capable of creating astounding prose and images. What do you think the consequences will be?*

Mainstream technologies or ideas often need to be "nerfed". With artificial intelligence we see it may be with good reason.

Whether it be creating well-written emails, cheating on a test, or creating hyperrealistic celebrity pornography, we can all agree that artificial intelligence has gotten to an extremely overpowered state. With software like Stable Diffusion we see how with just a written prompt a user has the power to "generate NSFW imagery resembling specific individuals" and even "images of child abuse"(Vincent, 2022). Generating such accurate high-quality texts and images violates both privacy and credibility when it comes to creating content, and I believe this power should not be in the hands of everyone. But much like overpowered or "OP" video game mechanics, even tools like artificial intelligence must be "nerfed" to deter its overwhelming power so everyone else can play fair and respect each other.

Without a doubt, artificial intelligence truly is useful in some happenstances and its success is no surprise. According to Vox's Rebecca Heilweil, AI contributes by creating art, making certain tasks easier in workspaces, and more. Companies are already expecting to make "$1 billion in revenue"(Heilweil, 2023) by this year. This is why it is important to keep a lid on some of AI's capabilities because we already see how useful and powerful it may be. Heilweil brings up a great point that "...like other revolutionary tech, the arrival of this kind of AI will create complicated trade-offs."(Heilweil, 2023). I agree with this statement because although it is great what it can do, there is potential that AI can be used poorly. "Nerfing" or regulating how the tool works can allow us to use the tool for its best qualities rather than worse.

### Apr 05 - Algorithmic Bias
*Why and how do algorithms exhibit biases (intentional or otherwise)?*

When we search for specific human parts or terms like "man" or "woman", the results often overwhelmingly skew towards representations of whiteness. This phenomenon is shaped by Google's use of intricate algorithms, drawing from over 200 different cues to discern user intent. Factors such as image popularity, frequency of sharing, surrounding text, and meta-tagging all influence the content we encounter. However, this algorithmic curation inadvertently mirrors societal biases, with Google not deliberately perpetuating these biases. Buzzfeed articulates the presence of "biases that exist within the media and on the internet, which the search engine’s algorithm ends up reflecting."(Rutherford, 2016). Yet, the outcome, whether intentional or not, contributes to systemic racism, reflecting the biases entrenched within media and the internet that the search engine's algorithms end up amplifying.

A question I deduce is how can we prevent algorithmic bias from affecting *media richness/naturalness*? This notion, as we've explored in class, refers to a medium's ability to convey ambiguous or equivocal information with depth and authenticity. Given that some of the search results derive from how "Western internet users carry out their searches"(Rutherford, 2016) we can see how biases can form and display a one-sided perspective. Such biases contribute to the exclusion or misrepresentation of certain racial groups, resulting in disrespect or marginalization. To address this, how can we steer away from these biased outcomes and ensure a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of diverse perspectives? Without knowing I wonder if Google can do anything to fix this or is this something users have to enforce themselves.

### Apr 12 - Digital language and Generations

The internet introduces the digital language, a "...language to create connection between people" (2019) according to Gretchen McCulloch. But are you someone who is down for the change or would you rather stick to the basics?

Gretchen McCulloch highlights the importance of our changing language and how much the internet and technology impact that. She identifies "old rules" of communicating digitally as a simplistic beginning of communication such as how to use a semicolon and what it may mean. Over time we have developed said "newer rules" of communicating that reach to connect with others on a different and closer level. "LOL" was an acronym for "laugh out loud" but over time it developed a new meaning that entices creating a double meaning when using it. The point is that technology is a huge factor in how we communicate and connect. Whether it be creating a formal or passive-aggressive tone with the use of the period or keyboard mashing to emphasize frustration, digital language creates the opportunity for us to all come closer to one another. The goal is for all of us to understand this language on the same level, so sticking to the basics may not be the move when it comes to overall global connectedness. As McCulloch puts it you may be missing out on the "...whole beauty of the world and everything that's possibly out there" (2019).

A question I deduce after exploring these ideas is how much is digital language helping our *social networks*? A concept we learned earlier in the semester which is a structure built of relationships and social interactions. McCulloch emphasizes that informal language has helped us "access these levels of unconscious linguistic awareness that we all have" (2019). Considering that digital language has created so many different ways of communicating informally, we are also inherently creating more ways to communicate more authentically. Overall, this may strengthen our social networks and bring us closer as people. But how long until we all shift into this new age of language?

### Apr 16 - Pushback

Did you know that in 2013, "61% of Facebook users have taken a voluntary break from using the site at one time or another" (Morrison & Gomez, 2014)? It's interesting to note that despite our increasingly connected world, many people are choosing to take breaks from technology.

Within our day and age, many technology users can be found constantly connected to the internet. Primary factors such as emotional dissatisfaction, external values, taking control, addiction, and privacy are what are leading thousands to cut down on their technology use. This is described as "pushback behavior" (Morrison, Gomez, 2014) which formal tech users are relying on to reach a greater sense of personalized balance that they feel they have lost through frequent tech use. The Luddite Club is a perfect example of a group practicing pushback as they are described as "a high school group that promotes a lifestyle of self-liberation from social media and technology" (Vadukul, 2022). Some group members like Lola Shub were dedicated enough to switch primarily to using a flip phone stating that "I started using my brain. It made me observe myself as a person" (Vadukul, 2022). Although this seemingly unproblematic movement is one fond of many, I question what downsides may come with denying technology in a predominately technology-based society.

One question I ask is when discussing *Digital language and generations*, a topic we have discussed recently in class, how do groups like the Luddite Club hold up in a society that relies on technology and its benefits? For example, when discussing external views on the club a member resorts to the possibility that "some of us need technology to be included in society. Some of us need a phone" (Vadukul, 2022). It certainly is important to find time away from our screens to prioritize mental and even physical health, but leaving it out fully may bring social differences between us. A parent from one of the club members explains "we don’t know where our kid is. You follow your kids now. You track them" (Vadukul, 2022) emphasizing the good that technology and the internet may bring to our lives. Overall, I question how permanent our changing society is and if it is safe for those to live outside the social norm of being a tech user.