Spiral of Silence

In 1974, the Spiral of Silence Theory was developed by Germal political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Nuemenn, in efforts to explain why groups or individuals appear silent, while others express opinions. It was concluded that this is a result of feeling oppressed in a scenario where ones' opinions in the minority opinion. However, when a group or individual is aware that their opinions are most popular, they are more likely to feel comfortable vocalizing them. Thus, I see this "spiral" as more of a cycle of developed oppression.  

This could be considered a good thing, on a large scale. Since primary school, we have all learned that there are strength in numbers. But, maybe that isn't always a good thing. Perhaps an unpopular opinion could be one that would incite violence and by not vocalizing that standpoint, people with extreme opinions are unlikely to congregate or generate power behind potential harmful ideas. However, the concept that this theory entails could be harmful to groups or individuals. Constructive change is made when people come together and take a stance. However, especially in this era, people are critical of others opinions, making some fearful to communicate a perceived change they’d like to see. Here is an easy example to understand this play out in a non-political way: I believe that using hand sanitizer during this time will have long term effects, that outweigh the benefit of using it. I believe that it is safer to wash you hands than to use hand sanitizer so often that it weakens our bodies' natural immune defense. Each time I have expressed this thought, I am inundated with dispute in every form. So, now I keep my mouth shut. However, what I have to say could be true and of value, but it is unpopular and thus shoved under the rug. 

Now, lets relate this theory to the minority populations around the world. Lack in numbers of those impacted by any given scenario, means minority opinions and lack of representation result in grand decisions being made in favor of the majority. Our of fear of opposition and learned oppression, minorities are less likely than the masses to vocalize opinions. 

Privacy: Uses and Abuses

For this weeks study, I was assigned to "freak out" about what I gathered about modern privacy based on a few TedTalks. I did, in fact, freak out. The first TedTalk I  viewed, was given by Juan Enriquez. I found it a bit difficult to follow, but what I took away was that the communication channels we use are essentially our "tattoos." By this, Enriquez meant that the information we post on the internet is permanent and attached to us, like a tattoo.

The second TedTalk, and to me the most shocking, was given by Catherine Crump in 2014. Crump provided detailed insight on ways the government uses surveillance technology to invade our personal lives. Local governments have the ability to gather patterns of information using technology like cell towers and license plate readers. Often, this file of information that is gathered on each person can later be used to make decisions about who officials think you are. Crump reminds us that, "Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it is not there," referring to surveillance technology. I was drawn to this statement in particular, as I personally had no idea that my local police department likely has a file of images of me and locations that I frequent. In any case, this information can be used for political advantage or blackmail. Thus, Crump offers a solution: push city councils to help eliminate local police departments' data gathering of individuals, while still using surveillance technology for legitimate purposes.

I next watched a talk given by Christopher Soghoian, in 2015. I found that he was communicating a similar warning to Crump, that we are being watched. However, this talk focuses on how our privacy can be invaded without leaving home. Telephone companies use surveillance fe atures, that mean at any time we could be listened to. However, many communication platforms use heavily encrypted technology to prevent wire tapping from not only the government, but hackers. This creates growing difficulty for the government and their capability to gather information on potential threats. However, as Soghoian states, it is best to use encrypted networks and protect private information, than to live in a world where governments and hackers have the potential to invade one's privacy.


In 2017, headlines were flooded with reports on how recordings from an Amazon Alexa played a role in proving the innocence of a murder suspect, and ultimately solving the case. I thought of this when Soghoian brought up how we are all being listened to, and compares the benefits with cost. While in this case the device, which was off, recording proved to be beneficial. However, Amazon handing over the recordings proved that they literally have a database of every sounds picked up from an Amazon Alexa, even when off. Sounds very Big Brother, to me.

Instagram: My Personal Audit

After reading about the Privacy Divide, I have been reflecting on much I protect myself on social media, and how I could do so even further. Another consideration was how much privacy do I want to give myself? When growing your presence on social media, it is difficult to simultaneously have privacy features activated. I have concluded that, for me, it not about being “private” on my social media accounts, but filtering what I post to limit the amount of personal information that other users can gather. I’ll also let you in on a little trick. So, with my Instagram profile being public and easy to find, I’ve had my fair share of creepers. In hopes of limiting the access that strangers can have to my locations, I post photos and stories only once I have left the public location I was in. Though, you may think this is extreme, we’re better safe than sorry. On Facebook, less of a platform for personal branding, I feel that I provide more personal content to an exclusive group of close friends and family. Therefore, I was more inclined to make my profile private. This means that I can control who can see what I post. While I did trust Facebook more than Instagram in terms of transparency and lack of said creepers, that changed when I realized my information was being sold and learned that users are the product. 

I have about 3,000 followers on my Instagram page, 1,000 views per story, and 600 likes per post. My page bio reads reveals that I am from Massachusetts and attend High Point University, which I do not believe puts me at risk. I typically post candid photos from memorable times and have a primary focus on fashion and beauty. My profile also links the email to my modeling agency for inquiries. I chose to link the agency email rather than my own, due to the agency’s capability to weed out threats or fake inquiries. Other than my Instagram message inbox that filters anything from accounts I do not follow, my profile presents no way to contact me. 

Based on my own experience with social media, I believe that it has the ability, even the promise, of making people feel depressed. Oftentimes, celebrities or modern influencers have followings of users who admire and idolize them. However, with such attention comes scrutiny, and thus the need to project perfection.

Popular users alter their photos to avoid being criticized, and the result is the average user drawing a comparison to his or herself. Yes, that means comparing yourself to something that is not really there. I have struggled with this personally, and am now connecting the dots. I was first treated for an eating disorder at the age of 14, soon after I joined Instagram. Since that first treatment, Instagram has become much more flooded with photos that depict false perfection. But as time went on, things changed from it just being influencers, to all users altering their photos and almost competingfor attention. As a result, my own body image issues have worsened, and I was treated again this past year. I also want to recognize that I am not alone in the battle of comparing myself to what I see online. 

Instagram: an Alternate Universe

In 1962, Everett Rogers’s publication of Diffusion of Innovations introduced the question of how new innovation spreads and has the potential to obtain a permanent role in the lives of generations to come. In his book of theory, Roger details a few main elements that play a role in the process of diffusion: innovation, adopters, communication channels, time, and social system. To understand this process in a more modern way, I played around with the Com Tech Line dating events up to 2007, so it makes sense that many social media platforms did not make the cut. 

Due to the overwhelming prevalence of Instagram, that includes business, art, personal branding and more, I chose to pose the question: How did Instagram get here? Before diving into the nitty, gritty details of how and when Instagram was born, I looked back at my very first memory of the platform. When I was about 11 years old, my friend had shown me her new Iphone with an app called Instagram. At that time, the feed was all photos taken from other areas of the internet with captions containing self-expressive quotes. Photos would get anywhere from 0-20 likes. But, sure enough the platform had the potential to give one billion people to share ideas, start or build a business, or even just connect with people from other corners of the planet. 

In early 2010, two Stanford graduates by the names of Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom coded a multi-faceted photo sharing platform called Burbn, that even featured filters to enhance photos. However, it failed and lead to further research on user behavior and voila! Instagram was later in the year. Below is a graph generated by Statista, that depicts the growth in Instagram's user volume, beginning with 25,000 on the first day it launched.

 

After growing without advertising the platform for two years,  the two original founders sold their platform to Facebook for $1 billion in cash and stock. Since then, not only has the interface of the platform has changed over the years; user population, time spent using the app, ways to use the app for, and an overall influence on users' lives have all increased. The constantly added utilities and quality improvements were and continue to be to thank for the rapidly growing web of users. Nowadays, Instagram is even a commonplace for other apps, by making it easy to share videos and posts from other forms of social media. The easy ability to share and observe photos, information and other content in real time, for free, and grow your own popularity is also to thank... or blame?

In terms of consequences to such a prevalent alternate world, I had to consider that rising generations  are increasingly influenced by this alternate universe that is social media. By only showing people what you want them to see, a form of escape is created and craves constant attention, meaning users are eager to post updates that support and align with the image they're trying to portray. I have gathered that most of the time, the image one wants to paint of themselves, is one based of altering the insecurities they face in the world of genuine interaction. When so much time is spent caring about things that are not even always real, and trying to portray a false image of perfection, a person's motivations can be skewed. This can also impact work ethic and ultimately have implications on mental health, vulnerability or even within the professional world.

Personally, checking my Instagram feed is the very first and the very last thing I do each day. I think I represent a fair amount of the Generation Z population when I admit that, according to my iPhone's "time spent" widget, I was spending roughly three of my waking hours each day, scrolling through Instagram. I have not checked since quarantine began... and I'm not going to. 

 

The 3rd Value: Stable Change

Among the 8 Values of Free Expression, are Discovery of Truth, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, and Promote Tolerance. Upon studying and allowing myself to understand each value and their roles, I found myself interested in learning more about the 3^rdvalue, Stable Change (aka Safety Valve). Stable Change protects one’s right to “vent” about anything she or she may choose to, including political views or personal objections to societal order. A great example of this value taking shape in modern media, is Lebron James dissing President Trump via Twitter. Lady Gaga also practices her freedom when publicly stating her opinion of the harm she believes to be done by President Trump. This concept allows for people to come together by making opinions knows, and even lead to real change in governmental actions. It means a great deal to me for humans with different passions and focuses to be able to go from being an individual with little power or voice, to a part of a group with the potential to make a lasting impact on what they believe is important.

However, there is one other reason that I believe this gift of freedom is so interesting; it is in the government's interest above the peoples'. The Value of Stable change promotes stability in a society where opinions of disapproval are not punished, thus making people less likely to act out in violence. Not only does allowing one to speak his or her mind prevent unrest and stop violence from occurring, but it allows the government to keep and eye on and take part in combating dispute from individuals or groups. I recently came across an Instagram post by civil rights activist Shaun King, who has a large following of supporters, claiming that his team of social media analysts and researchers concluded that a conservative individual or corporation is using secret accounts to combat his activism against targeting the government. This made me believe that with an account so widely known and full of compelling evidence against the government, Shaun King became a threat to the conservative party and ultimately a target. Not to say whether or not I believe this is ethically wrong, but Mr. King has expressed that comments and posts against him are the government using his own platform to change the opinions of those already seeing his content. Over and over, I have seen this type of mysterious anti-civil rights content from unidentifiable accounts on largely followed pages, thus I conclude that this particular value requires further examination and understanding than other values, and can be used to understand how political parties use social media to monitor and combat opposing ideas. 

The Messenger Pigeon

Amidst this pandemic, jokes are circulating online that schools are cancelled to give them time to switch out the birds. Where does this joke come from? The idea that the birds are spies! Or... CARRIER PIGEONS!

They are sometimes called homing pigeons or messenger pigeons, and the very first one was used by Noah! Early on, these birds were mainly used for delivering results of games in early Roman games, as well as to deliver news and stock prices in the 1800's. Now, I know I wouldn't want to be the "bird of bad news!" Then, the use of these tiny messengers expanded into more important things, like war. That is a lot of trust in a bird, huh? The French pioneered using messenger pigeons, but they weren't the only ones to catch on to the opportunities opened up with this technology.

So, how did it work? Well, pigeons are a homing bird, meaning they know where home is and always fly back to it. So, militia would sent the pigeon, often by train or personal escort, to a designated person that may need to send a message in the near future. Perhaps, bringing one of the birds to someone that was going on a secret mission and would need to let the base know the status, and fast. Then, that person would let it go and the pigeon would just, well, go home. They'd often have bells at their home base to let the recipient know they have a message. Sort of like when your phone rings. It is interesting how far we've come, yet how similar the whole idea is.

Halftone Print: an Optical Illusion

If you zoom in on the photos that you come across on your smartphone, you will find that you see tiny squares that make up the image. Today, these tiny squares of color that make up what seems to be a seamless image are referred to as pixels. They are tiny cubes of color, organized to come together and create a meaning. Even the words we see typed out on this screen are made up of pixels.  Looking at how far technology has come, we can see how early imaging technology paved the way for the advanced image quality seen all around us.

In 1852, William Talbot pioneered the use of a screen, consisting of a grid of holes for ink to pass through, to create an intentional pattern. This technique, known as halftone printing, was used to print black dots, varying in distance apart, size and shape to create an image that appears to have dimension, shadows and detail. For example, black dots that are closer together may be used to create the darkest part of an image, while distant dots create a lighter effect. The most common type of printing used today, will only print one color of one tone, or no ink at all, though it may seem to appear lighter in some areas. There are currently three types of halftone printing: conventional, stochastic and color/moire. Conventional printing consists of printing in which the dots vary in size, but not distance between the center of each dot. Stochastic printing consists of dots that are randomly places in no pattern or certain distance apart. The dots may also be different sizes. Meanwhile, in color printing, the overlap of a few basic colors is used to create more colors, and therefor portray an image more similar to what we see in real time.

Check out the image below. As one of the earliest images created using the screen halftone process, it appears that the dots vary in size and distance apart. Doesn't the hand look closer to you than the rest of the image? That is a result of lack of ink, used in a way that creates depth. Now, go into your phone and look at an image with depth. Upon zooming in, you will notice that the depth is created by clarity in the image, meaning more pixels to create more detail in the foreground of the photo. This technology began with half toning and will continue to evolve. Also, the better the printer, the better the image quality, so maybe one day the images we print will be as clear as the photo on the screen!