My Relationship with Technology

I believe that my relationship with social media is both healthy and unhealthy. The relationship is positive in a sense because technology has evolved into our modern pen and paper. All assignments are online based and teachers no longer require hard copy assignments. This is especially prominent today as the majority of teachers have stopped asking for hard copy submissions as an attempt to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. Even textbooks are becoming more online-based. Every time I am buying a textbook, I always get the e-book as well. Using online textbooks has allowed me to use features such as highlighting, adding comments, and even bookmarking the page I am on. Software like this is extremely convenient when studying and I no longer have to lug around a heavy textbook, or run the risk of losing it. I have even spent a lot of the semester chatting with the online librarian. Even though the library is probably only twenty steps from my dorm, I prefer the option of using online resources. The chatting system makes it so that I can ask the librarian about formatting issues for my papers, and the librarian will even help me find sources for my paper when I need help. In this aspect, I can get my work done efficiently. Nonetheless, I spend several hours of the day staring at my computer screen to complete assignments, find sources on the web, and read course materials. I think that because I am using technology for educational purposes, I have somewhat of a positive relationship with it. However, sometimes I tend to take advantage of resources like google and the online librarian. If I am feeling lazy or if I am just in a rush to complete an assignment, I may use these tools as shortcuts. For example, if I do not feel like finding a source, I could easily ask the librarian and he or she would find it for me. Another example would be that if I had a lengthy reading assignment that I did not feel like doing, I could easily use google to find out what the book or article is about. Therefore, technology makes it really simple to cut corners and I may not always be learning to the full extent that I could. 

In contrast, my relationship with technology is also negative; specifically my connection with my phone. Similarly to most teens, I spend entirely too much time on the social media apps on my iphone. When I go to lunch with my friends, a lot of the time we are on our phones instead of actually engaging in conversation with one another. Additionally, there have been multiple instances where my parents have conducted sit down talks with me about how I am constantly on social media throughout the day. They have pointed out that because I am on my phone so frequently, I am not as conscious of my surroundings as I should be. They have also told me that I need to be more present and focused on maintaining relationships in person. Of course, I realize that they are probably right but I am not willing to limit my usage of social media at this time. Social media also can serve as a distraction. When I am doing my homework, I will take a "mental break" by going on my phone for "only" five minutes; before I know it, I have been on Tik Tok for an additional thirty minutes than I originally intended. This just goes to show how consuming technology can be of a persons time and attention. Below I have incorporated a visual of my how many hours I spent on my phone throughout the month of April. My weekly average levels out to about six and half hours. If you take a closer look, you can see how I allocated my time. The apps that I am on most often are all social media apps including Snapchat, Instagram, and Tik Tok. When I compared my screen time with my roommates, I found that their averages exceeded mine by an hour or two. Moreover, my generation wastes a tremendous amount of time on their phones which can negatively impact relationships and distract people from important school assignments.

What is your digital footprint like? Unfortunately, my digital footprint is so easy to find as my name is so unique. Not only is my name uncommon, my mother also changed the spelling from 'Thais" to "Taiz." Therefore, it is even easier to distinguish my name from others with the same name. I recently googled myself and found a few concerns in the results (taiz barata). I discovered that my voting records indicate my address and party affiliation. It is extremely discomforting to know that anyone could easily find my address and could simply show up at my house or send unwanted mail. Also, I witnessed many relationships come to an end due to conflicting political views; my stance is my own opinion and I do not want my private thoughts to be public knowledge. Luckily, I am shown as unaffiliated so this decreases the chance that I will be judged for my viewpoints. I think that this kind of information should not be on the web as it could be a danger to me and my family. On the other hand, all of the accomplishments that are listed below my name show me in a good light and could be an advantage if employers were to search me on google.

Social media has become a huge time suck for me and many others my age, and one's digital footprint can reveal personal information that they may not have wanted known otherwise. It is important to recognize that although technological advances have made everyday tasks easier, there are still negative effect associated with every new creation. 

Current Events

Rioting During the Black Lives Matter Protests

After the death of George Floyd, an issue that was heavily covered by the news and media where the riots that occurred during the Black Lives Matter protests. When these riots took place, looting, vandalism, and violence occurred. In class we discussed that under the first amendment, our freedom of speech and of assembly is protected. Therefore, those who wanted to could participate in the protests whiteout trouble as long as the protest was peaceful. However, when the riots developed, people's businesses were damaged and even destroyed in some cases. The picture below shows the aftermath of a business that was affected by the riots. One could argue that the riots were an expressive action as the intent was to send a message, however, these actions were illegal and therefore, individuals were held accountable for the crimes committed. The best example of a protected action is flag burning because it is symbolic yet it does not place anyone in danger.

One might ask why protestors continued to riot knowing that they ran the risk of being charged for vandalism or stealing. Author Sarah Sheppard wrote an article called The Psychology behind Rioting, where she explains that "Violence is not a preferred action by protestors, but rather a consequence of being ignored, criticized, and oppressed after numerous attempts to be seen and heard." Therefore, rioters where willing to be run into legal problems in order to get their point across. Although the riots grabbed the attention of several American's, the way in which they were conducted was against the law.

Supreme Court

Supreme Court

By watching the videos about the Supreme Court, I learned more about the process in which the it conducts its business. The supreme court must wait for complaints to be brought it, the nine justices do not seek out problems to resolve. First, an appeal is made against the ruling from a lower court. This means that the party who is appealing the ruling is requesting certiorari. Certiorari is "a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court." Next, the Supreme Court has the power to decide whether it will hear the case or dismiss is. If they decide against hearing the case, it is implied that certiorari was denied to the party which requested it, as the court ruling was deemed constitutional. Contrastingly, if they decide to hear the case, then a date is set for an oral argument. Once the oral argument takes place, the lawyers from two opposing parties each have thirty minutes to speak. During this hour, the judges ask the lawyers difficult questions to determine whether or not the ruling was unconstitutional. Next, all nine justices vote on the case, private from everyone except each other. Then, a judge from the side of the majority vote drafts an opinion over the course of a few weeks. Finally, all that is left to do is find a general consensus among all of the justices. Like the video mentions, "compromise is inevitable."

One aspect of this video that surprised me was how lengthy this process is. It was stated that once the judges have voted, it takes about four weeks to create the first draft of the detailed opinion. Due to the importance of each ruling, this would make complete sense as the opinion will be "binding" to all future cases. The judges must give thorough and tremendous consideration to the written opinion, as it will serve as a precedent. I think that this would be an extremely difficult job to handle due to the responsibility of interpreting the constitution, and creating detailed guidelines for states, congress, and the president to abide by. The position holds even more pressure when one considers how different the constitution is today than when it was created. The constitution was made at a time when the people it addressed did not account for women or African Americans. Since then, rights have been added through amendments. It would make me extremely anxious to be in charge of comparing cases to a document that is over two-hundred years old, with a meaning that pertained to a different time period and body of people.  

The most important takeaway from my new knowledge of the Supreme Court is that there is slim to no chance that the Supreme Court can be unfair towards individuals. The structure of nine justices makes it so that there has to be a majority vote and the deliberation that occurs after voting ensures that every decision has been well thought out. Additionally, another takeaway that changed how I view the Supreme Court, is that the justices are normal people like you and me. I had always viewed members of the Supreme Court as individuals above society, untouchables if you will. Although, in all reality they are people from society, that are able to relate to and understand the needs of the people. I thought that the video explained it perfectly; "the judges opinions are only influenced by the constitution and by their conscious." They have no ulterior motives or personal gain and making unfair decisions would result in the loss of trust from the people, and therefore the loss of power.