## Reading responses 1 out of 5

### Response 1 - Ads and Social Graph Background

Online advertising is a multifaceted realm that plays a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape. According to Stokes, there are various types of online advertisements across websites, search engine result pages, emails, and social networks. These advertisements serve the primary purpose of stimulating consumer needs and subsequently satisfying them. Advertisers can meticulously track interactions with their ads, including the number of impressions, clicks, and post-click-and-view data, and reach a range of users. This data-driven approach is essential for understanding and optimizing advertising strategies, allowing advertisers to communicate a product’s USPs, generate demand, and drive instant sales.

The main types of online advertisements that dominate the digital advertising landscape include banner ads, pop-up ads, map ads, social media ads, and mobile advertising. While these ads are effective, they are also intrusive and can result in advertising fatigue for consumers. In the [Vox video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFyaW50GFOs&ab_channel=Vox), Adams explains the importance of first-party cookies helping websites recognize users with a unique ID. Additionally, she dives into third-party cookies which enable brands, middlemen, and platforms to gather extensive information about online behavior. In previous classes, we spoke about the intricate world of cookies and their role in tracking online behavior. We explored techniques like ad blockers and incognito mode to manage cookies and mitigate the impact of intrusive online advertising while safeguarding our privacy.

As Lou Montulli, the inventor of cookies stated, “There are billions if not trillions of dollars at stake, and if we want to make a substantial change to the methods in which tracking and advertising is done it is going to have to be done at a legislative level”. In the age of a saturated media environment and evolving technologies, what is the balance between personalized advertisements and individual privacy, considering the online manipulation and information that technology giants store about us?

### Response 2 - Artificial Intelligence

In the words of [Gold](https://goldsguide.com/sydney-spotify-speedy/), "We cannot make the same mistake that we made with social media. AI has far more potential". The era of generative AI, as discussed by [Heilweil](https://www.vox.com/recode/2023/1/5/23539055/generative-ai-chatgpt-stable-diffusion-lensa-dall-e) has allowed individuals to effortlessly create original content with a simple set of instructions to a computer program. This technology, while offering vast opportunities, has immense challenges. It can produce incorrect results making it imperative to question the information generated.

AI's capacity to rapidly generate information presents unlimited access to data. However, this abundance of information does not guarantee accuracy or respectfulness, raising concerns about the need for effective regulations. The world and governments must acknowledge the potential dangers of AI and implement proper laws and rules. As Gold argued, AI requires a careful approach to ensure its wise and beneficial use.

[Vincent's](https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/24/23476622/ai-image-generator-stable-diffusion-version-2-nsfw-artists-data-changes) exploration of AI image generators, specifically Stable Diffusion, exemplifies the consequences of AI. The ability to generate explicit content and mimic artist's styles has triggered both positive and negative reactions from users. The ethical implications, such as the unauthorized use of an artist's work and the potential depiction of child abuse highlight the necessity of ethical guidelines and regulations.

[Isaac Asimov's](https://goldsguide.com/sydney-spotify-speedy/) three rules of robotics serve as a reminder of the need for a regulatory framework in the AI space. The recent observations and factual errors in Microsoft's AI-powered Bing search further underscore the urgency for clear guidelines.

While AI is undoubtedly a revolutionary tool with immense potential, its consequences must be carefully considered. From misinformation and ethical concerns to the need for a regulatory framework, the evolution of AI demands a balanced and cautious approach to harness its benefits without compromising societal well-being.

### Response 3 - Algorithmic bias

"Chat GPT is one of those rare moments in technology where you see a glimmer of how everything is going to be different going forward," as noted by [Hochman](https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/chatgpt-goes-woke/) in the debut of this widely popular language model last November. Users have observed concerning characteristics such as misinformation and the suppression of certain viewpoints. Hochman raises alarms about a paternalistic progressive worldview embedded in Chat GPT, prompting discussions about potential biases in AI language models. These biases, intentional or otherwise, become apparent in the content generated by such models, sparking concerns about the societal impact.

[Rutherford](https://web.archive.org/web/20160412143309/http://www.buzzfeed.com/fionarutherford/heres-why-some-people-think-googles-results-are-racist#.vjKB2YMkY) further explores the perception of racial biases in Google search ads. A prime example is the search for "hands", where the results are only white hands. Google attributes this bias to the algorithm to the frequency of image sharing, the context surrounding the image, and meta-tagging. The prevalence of stereotypes in Google search results becomes a mirror reflecting societal biases, highlighting the need for addressing algorithmic biases in technology.

Additionally, algorithmic biases can broadly impact society in different ways. O'Neil uses the college ranking system to illustrate the unfairness and lack of appeal in algorithms, emphasizing the negative consequences on millions of people. The manipulation of metrics reveals the possibility for institutions to play the system by sending false SAT data or paying students to retake exams to maintain a reputable reputation. It is evident how pervasive the influence of algorithmic bias can be on education and social welfare, and O'Neil emphasizes the necessity for ethical considerations to be implemented in these algorithms and their designs to ensure equitable outcomes for all.

### Response 4 - Authenticity, work & influence

In the rapidly evolving landscape of influencer marketing, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a paradigm shift in how influencers engage with their audiences. [Lerman]( https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/12/influencers-social-media-pandemic/) highlights the increasing prominence of social media influencers, whose power to connect with followers has become even more significant during a time of global uncertainty. As companies invested billions in influencer marketing, the pandemic forced influencers to navigate the delicate balance between authenticity, political activism, and economic survival. Mae Karwowski, CEO of influencer marketing company Obviously, emphasizes the pivotal role influencers play in directly communicating with followers, emphasizing the difference between hiring celebrities and engaging individuals genuinely committed to sharing ideas.

[Lorenz's](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/12/influencers-are-faking-brand-deals/578401/) exploration dives into the evolving dynamics of influencer success, where the once-perceived "selling out" stigma has transformed into a sign of achievement. The journey from an average social media user to a professional influencer involves strategic branding and the pursuit of lucrative partnerships. Lorenz sheds light on the prevalence of influencers faking promotional content, blurring the lines between genuine endorsements and paid advertisements. This deceptive practice, while initially tempting for aspiring influencers, raises concerns about its impact on the industry's integrity, potentially diminishing the value of authentic influencer-brand relationships.

Furthermore, [Duffy, Miltner, and Wahlstedt](https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.neu.edu/doi/epub/10.1177/14614448221099234) analyze the focus shifted to hate blog communities and their impact on women influencers. These communities engage in horizontal violence, directing criticism toward individual influencers rather than addressing broader structural issues. The study's findings reveal a clash between influencers' promotional activities and anti-fans' perceptions of authenticity. Criticisms range from the feminized nature of profit-making strategies to accusations of influencers being out of touch with real challenges, especially when depicting motherhood. There is a complex interaction between authenticity, gender dynamics, and evolving practices within online communities that influence criticism.

### Response 5 - Pushback

“You post something on social media, you don’t get enough likes, then you don’t feel good about yourself. That shouldn’t have to happen to anyone” stated Logan, the founder of the Luddite Club. Created during lockdown, the club emerges as a response to dissatisfaction with technology, particularly social media and promotes a lifestyle of self-liberation from the widespread influence of smartphones. [Vadukul](https://www.nytimes.com/by/alex-vadukul) highlights that Logan's personal journey of experiencing life in the city without an iPhone sparked the creation of the club. Her father expresses pride but also acknowledges the challenges of being a "helicopter parent" without the tracking capabilities of a smartphone.

Reflecting on this, I'm reminded of a time before smartphones dominated our lives. I recall the simplicity of a flip phone, where communication was limited to calls and texts. Life felt more enjoyable, and we were more present in the moment with fewer distractions. The contrast between those days and the current smartphone era is striking and prompts my reflection on pushing back against technology.

Furthermore, [Morrison and Gomez](https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/4902/4106) elaborates on the concept of "evertime," referring to the constant connectivity facilitated by smartphones and other devices. The authors introduce the term "connectivity pushback," describing a growing trend where users resist being always connected and reachable. The motivations for pushback are diverse, ranging from emotional dissatisfaction to concerns about privacy and technology addiction.

The authors identify five solutions for adapting to technology: behavior adaptation (managing time and applications), social agreements (collective restrictions on technology use), technology intervention (using less advanced devices), retreat from technology (going offline or limiting internet usage), and the perspective of "no problem," where individuals refute the need for pushback.

Growing up in the 2000s, I can relate to the sentiments expressed in both articles. The rise of smartphones has brought undeniable conveniences but also challenges. As technology evolves, the need for balance becomes crucial. The pushback against constant connectivity offers valuable insights into coping strategies and emphasizes the importance of mindful technology use.