Privacy in the Digital Age

Privacy is one of those things that you don’t think about until you realize how easy it is to have it stripped away from you. Watching the privacy TED Talks made me, and I am sure others, uncomfortable, because so much of this is part of our daily lives. Whether it is social media, smartphones, or being tracked all the time, the age of privacy is more about things being collected without your consent than about things you willingly share.
One of the most striking aspects of the talks was just how permanent our lives on the internet can be.  The casual snapshots of our photos, our comments, or even our locations will haunt us for eternity.  This is something I try to remember, but it is not discussed as much as it should be. It is a strange notion that something that takes a matter of seconds to share can come back to haunt you years down the line when you are older and wiser.  It is not just me that should be concerned; my friends and family should be, as well, especially the younger generations who may not be privy to this information.


Another alarming aspect of the talks was the sheer volume of even seemingly harmless information that is tracked behind the scenes. How we travel, how many times we fly, and even how our cell phones move throughout the day paint a pretty accurate picture of who we are.  That is disturbing to think about, especially when it comes to the corporations and the government.  I realized that privacy is about protecting yourself, not necessarily about hiding something illegal or amoral. 
The talks also made me aware of how many ways technology can be used as a weapon against people in truly horrific ways. When people have private information or images shared without their permission, the emotional and mental ramifications caused are truly devastating.  In this regard, privacy became more personal for me; it is not just a concept but something people deal with in their daily lives. Technology can be great, but it can also humiliate and control people if it is not properly regulated. 
I do think the government needs to take privacy and data collection more seriously and put in place stronger regulations for digital surveillance. However, we also need to protect ourselves and be more aware of what we share and read, and to check privacy settings before we engage with various types of media. These talks made me realize that privacy is not something we should take for granted. In the age of technology, we all need to protect our privacy—and the privacy of our family and friends, as well.

8 Values of Free Expression

Over the course of this class, we’ve discussed how and why the First Amendment came to exist. Jefferson and Madison weren’t just thinking about their own era, but also about the possibility of a long-lasting democracy that couldn’t survive without liberty of speech and the press; they offered these reasons. I think what is most connected for me is how many of these theories relate to our ability to express ourselves today in the modern world, especially online and via social media platforms.

The first value that resonates with me personally is the Marketplace of Ideas, or the discovery of truth. This theory suggests that when ideas can circulate freely, the truth emerges more clearly because it can be challenged. I see this often on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X. For example, when news breaks, people immediately begin posting clips, reflections, and reactions. Sometimes it gets out of hand, but usually people can compare and contrast what is being said and assess for themselves. This relates to John Milton in Areopagitica, who suggests that the truth becomes even stronger when it is put into the public domain to be challenged rather than being sheltered. Yet while it sounds good in theory, social media also shows there are limitations, such as false truths spreading as quickly as true ones, or correct concepts not getting as much attention if they aren’t pushed by an emotion-driven algorithm. But I don’t think free expression is the issue in this case; rather, it’s critical thinking and media literacy that are lacking. The Marketplace of Ideas works, but only if people are willing to cooperate.

Similarly, the second value that relates to me personally is the Individual Self-Fulfillment theory. This theory explains how free expression helps people find themselves and share who they are with others. Today, that’s reflected through social media platforms, which many people use to share their experiences, advocate for the causes they believe in, or even just document their lives to connect with others. For marginalized communities, having access to speak on social media can make people feel as if they are finally seen and heard.

Connecting with others is also part of how social media helps illustrate and relate to the Check on Governmental Power theories that I’ve seen. The watchdog role is evident constantly on social media, as common citizens post videos or news stations conduct investigative journalism to uncover the truth about what government leaders have been up to. Watergate is a great example that might seem dated, but it relates to today's watchdog activities through social media news portals and independent journalists. There would be numerous instances of happenings today we would’ve never known if not for free expression.

Finally, Protecting Dissent feels newly relevant in today’s political world; while some unpopular opinions might upset people, dissent is part of how change happens. Protests, newsworthy developments, and open discussion show that democracy is alive and well, instead of problematic.

Ultimately, these Eight Values of Free Expression helped me because they connect the real-world applications we see daily to Jefferson and Madison’s reasoning for the First Amendment's existence in the first place. It isn’t just an abstract notion; it’s something that allows us to regularly express ourselves to others and then determine whether we all agree.

My Top 5 News Sources

#1

While social media is known for its trending fashion, lifestyle content, funny videos and advertisements, it has also become a major news source for me. Platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and even X help me stay up to date with current events quickly. Whenever something new occurs, it appears on my feed almost immediately, allowing me to scroll for just a few minutes and find a short clip or message about local happenings, major events, or even traffic alerts. I also like that social media can give me hundreds of perspectives just by simply checking the comments. Although social media may not be a number one source for reliability and accurateness, they still keep me informed about what is going on in my community and the real world. 

#2

My family is another of my main trusted sources of news. They are always sending me articles, posting updates in our group chat, or calling me when something is, in their opinion, urgent. They send all sorts of news from our hometown, High Point, and news they feel I need to be aware of. Sometimes I hear news from them before I get to see it online. They cut out all the unnecessary information and give me just the highlights, which is far easier for me than trying to keep up with everything from different sources. They keep me up to date in a way that is natural and personal to me. 

#3

The BFFs podcast is yet another of my go-to sources for trends and internet culture. While the is by far the trendiest and most youthful form of news, it keeps me informed about what is happening online and what is going on in the influencer world. They share news in a fast paced, laid back, and humorous way that helps keep me engaged and remember the information they speak on. While this is not considered real news to most people, it still informs me about what people are discussing and what is occurring on various social media sights. It gives me information in a way that grabs my attention and makes me want to know more of what is going on.

#4

Google would be another one of my top news sources; it is all in one place and requires little effort on my end. If I click the app or visit the website, I get a mix of national, local, and entertainment news, along with alerts tailored to my previous searches and interests. It is almost like a personalized news brief that refreshes multiple times a day so that I can do a quick scan of what is most important instead of scrolling through various feeds. It also has news with source links, so I can cross-reference and compare across different sources when something that catches my eye comes out. This is helpful for me because it is efficient and extremely accurate. 

#5

Word of mouth is a big news outlets for me because of the constant exposure to what people are talking about and what I want to know more about. My family and friends talk about the news quite a bit, and listening to their different takes on these subjects pushes me to look things up and learn more for myself. Growing up in an opinionated and politically active family has its perks, I'm used to the debate and the heavy opinions, and even if it gets intense, it gives me a range of perspectives on topical issues. therefor, all of these ways have heavily impacted how I have formed my opinions