Blog Post #6 - EOTO Reaction

An invention that I learned about during presentations was Paper presented by Caitlyn Evans. Caitlyn told us all about the history and impact of paper. We learned that humans have been writing down their notes since the beginning of time and many early civilizations used tree bark or clay to jot things down. Early paper was made of these materials. 

I learned that the first paper was made in 200 BCE in China where a paper prayer was created on a brick of someone's home. It was mostly used for religious purposes, the government, or wealthy business owners who used this old fishing nets and bamboo to make paper. Fibers were collected a soaked and lined with stone and then grounded into pulp which was then poured into a rectangular mold. Water is drained and the paper is left to dry in the sun and removed from the mold. 

Caitlyn also talked about Korea, Japan and Italy in the invention of paper. In Korea, they used a process of animal-powered pulping mills to create a paper mold out of bamboo and wooden boards that made drying paper sheets easier. Japan used paper for Korean Buddhist monks and they created mass printing of paper. Italy had very well-established paper mills. They made paper out of cotton and linen as well as perfecting paper molds using wood and metal frames. 

In 1869, paper-making in the United States was made out of wood fibers. Which was created at the first paper mill in Culhuacan, Mexico. Today, most paper is made out of wood due to it being more affordable and very available compared to cloth and other materials. 

Caitlyn also told us about the impacts paper had on society. We use paper everyday, whether it's for writing a to-do list, grabbing a napkin, or even making a purchase with cash. Paper has changed our worlds, and thanks to the innovations from many ancient cultures, we are now able to use it daily. 

Blog Post #5

This week, we learned all about privacy in this digital age. Even though technology has many of benefits, it can also be very harmful to us. In these ted talks, I learned that it's not possible to go through daily life without being tracked through your devices. Whether it's through life 36o, tracking your location or safari tracking your search history, you're being monitored 24/7. Some people are very scared of this issue and others are unbothered. 

I liked how Julian Enriquez related data to tattoo in his ted talk, because truly that's how they are. He talks about how they both tell a message and are linked to someone's identity. They are also permanent, so once you get a tattoo or you post something on social media, it's out there forever. 

This issue affects me because I text my parents and friends everyday and I have to always be careful of whaat I text because once I hit send, it's in the digital universe for eternity. Same for my friends and family, they have to be careful with what they post because it could ruin your reputation or be taken the wrong way. 

The Government plays a crucial role in protecting citizens rights when it comes to these issues. The Government should be taking proactive steps to protect the privacy and personal data of its people. This includes regulating data, promoting encryption and adding ethical guidelines for emerging technologies like AI. They should also ensure that there is a balance between privacy and national security needs. Governments also need to ensure that technology serves the public's best interests while keeping individuals safe. 

We can protect ourselves from privacy invasions by developing good habits, using technology wisely, and staying aware of potential threats. Implementing strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to our online accounts. On social media, we should be mindful of the information we share, limit personal details, and avoid geotagging to protect our privacy and the safety of our loved ones. Additionally, caution is needed when using public Wi-Fi, as hackers may intercept data and sensitive information. Finally, staying vigilant against scams and suspicious emails that request personal information helps ensure our data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.