Reading Report #5

“The End of Privacy?”

by: Daniel J. Solove

In “The End of Privacy?”, Daniel J. Solove argues that all aspects of an individual’s private life can be accessed by the click of a finger on the Internet. Social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, and websites that stream video footage, such as YouTube, have broken through the barrier between what is public and private. With basic computer knowledge, anyone can browse an individual’s profile for private knowledge, view videos of someone being humiliated, such as the Star Wars Kid, bully someone, and start detrimental rumors about someone. What may seem harmless fun and laughs has very serious consequences: this material will always be available online and it will follow individuals for the rest of their lives. Unlike our elders, our generation, which Solove terms “Generation Google”, will have their private lives on display forever. Unlike in the past, where embarrassing, private mistake were viewed as a “phase” and not detrimental for an individual’s future, the private information currently available online is preventing people from obtaining jobs or maintaining a current job. When easily-accessible, personal information, no one is able to escape a bad past and start a new life for themselves: the stigma will always curse them. As Solove also points out, the Internet is not the only threat to privacy: credit cards, online shopping, cable companies, the government, and Internet service providers all have access to a variety of private information. 

I definitely believe that our privacy should be protected and that government officials should revise current policies to assist. The article mentions copyright laws and the appropriation tort but these policies are not as effective as they should be. Also, I do not believe an individual should be punished from receiving or maintaining employment based on rumors spread on the Internet or a past life that has been displayed on the Internet. Everyone has a past and individual’s have a right to prove themselves if they have changed, despite what is still on the Internet about them. If new policies are not in place for individuals, especially for “Generation Google”, the fate of everyone’s future is in jeopardy.

Extra Credit #2: Library Mobile Website

Being able to access a mobile library website is a great concept. Unfortunately, on my Blackberry, it took forever to load each page. Once the pages loaded, it was very easy to navigate through the pages. A lot of the links and fields for searching are set up the same as the library website so you do not have to go through the process of learning how to operate the mobile site. I love that there is a link, in real time, that shows how many computers are available and where they are located in the library. The floor maps are helpful as well because before this LIB 103 class, I did not know where a lot of things were located in the library. Also, I was a little hesitant to search the library catalog because I thought it would only be a basic list of titles, authors, and call numbers. It is very helpful that the mobile site provides pictures of the sources and provides the same information as the library website. Overall, apart from taking a lot more time to load than the regular library website, I am thoroughly pleased with how user-friendly and informative the mobile site is.

Extra Credit #1: Three Scholarly Journals

Adams, Portia E. “Understanding the Different Realities, Experience, and Use of Self-Esteem Between Black and White Adolescent Girls”. Journal of Black Psychology. 36:3 (2010): 255-276. Sage Journals Online. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. 

Portia Adams hoped to illustrate the different experiences of black and white adolescent girls in regards to self-esteem. This study, in regards to self-esteem, tests the locus of control model (how an individual perceives and responds to their efforts based on whether they have internal or external controls) and the contingency of self worth theory (an individual’s self-esteem depends on the sources and environment influencing the individual). The sample studied included four hundred fifty three black and one thousand nine hundred two white adolescent girls. The results of the study showed that, overall, black adolescent girls have higher self-esteem than white adolescent girls. Also, for the black adolescent girls studied, self-esteem was lower if the girl lived in the Northeast, had an absent mother in the home environment, and experienced external, personal control. Portia Adams also illustrates how social support plays a big role for the self-esteem of an adolescent girl, despite their race. In regards to the black adolescent girl, religion seems to play a more important role that for whites and this could explain how social support from many social institutions has increased the self-esteem for black adolescent girls. This research is extremely important because it illustrates the need for social institutions to realize that individuals experience self-esteem differently based on a multitude of factors, including their race. Adolescents, in general, are vulnerable in regards to developing a high self-esteem. If social institutions are aware of the imbalance of self-esteem, based on race, then proper prevention methods, such as self-esteem building programs targeting specific racial groups, can be developed. This research can also be used by other researchers as a stepping stone to expand and develop more studies showing how self-esteem varies amongst other racial groups as well.

Covan, Eleanor Krassen and Elizabeth Fugate-Whitlock. “Emergency Planning and Long-Term Care: Least Paid, Least 

Powerful, Most Responsible”. Health Care for Women International. 31:11 (2010): 1028-1043. Informaworld. Web. 14  Nov. 2010. 

As noted in the article, “disasters can occur anywhere” and proper emergency strategies and planning should be developed to combat disaster situations. Krassen and Fugate-Whitlock discuss how the UNCW Gerontology program teamed up with the Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging and the New Hanover County Department of Emergency Management to form a special task force to address how to safely and properly handle disaster situations in regards to patients at long-term care facilities. There seems to be a lack of consensus and awareness about what to do with these individuals when a disaster strikes. The articles stresses how though people hope and assume that proper strategies are carried out for long-term patients during disaster situations, this is not always the case. Resources and transportation during disaster situations seems to be a major problem for personnel who care for long-term patients during a disaster. With this in mind, though their are disaster drills conducted in a long-term care facility, there seems to be a lack of awareness about what to do with long-term care patients if the roof caves in. Also, the article illustrates how an evacuation plan can differ. For some long-term care facilities, the most capable patients (those that can walk or manage a wheelchair without much assistance) are evacuated first whereas other facilities evacuate the most feeble patients (bed-ridden) first. Another interesting fact, in regards to long-term care responsibilities, there is still a consensus that women should carry the burden of disaster planning. This article illustrates a general problem in the lack of consensus when it comes to properly caring for a long-term patient during a disaster. It is scary to think that an individual entrusts their life or the life of their loved one in the hands of individuals who are not properly prepared to protect and serve them during a disaster. The safety of Long-term care patients should be considered first, along with children, when a disaster strikes because both of these groups depend on other individuals to ensure their safety and protection.

Kinard, Brian R. and Cynthia Webster. “The Effects of Advertising, Social Influences, and Self-Efficacy on Adolescent Tobacco Use and Alcohol Consumption”. The Journal of Consumer Affairs. 44.1 (2010): 25-43. EBSCOHost. Web. 14 

Nov. 2010. 

The research conducted by Brian Kinard and Cynthia Webster focused on the variables that strongly influence an adolescent’s choice to smoke tobacco products and consume alcoholic beverages. This study is unlike previous studies because instead of just focusing on one variable, Kinard and Webster wanted to test how variables work together to influence an adolescent’s choice to participate or refrain from such behavior. Kinard and Webster chose to focus on the influences of advertising, parents, peers, and  self-efficacy (an individual’s perception of their self-control). The study sample consisted of one hundred one adolescents who each smoke more than forty eight cigarettes a month. After examining the respondent’s perceptions of the influencing variables, the following results were concluded: advertising, parents, peers, and self-efficacy can work simultaneously to influence an adolescent’s choice to smoke or drink alcohol. Parents and peers have the strongest influence on the adolescent’s choices. One of the hypotheses proposed by Kinard and Webster was disproved: advertising is not as strong of an influence as they originally thought. Also, the results showed that males and Caucasians are the most likely to engage in smoking. This research is extremely important because, as Kinard and Webster suggested, it can help parents and social institutions (public policy programs, consumer protection programs, etc.) address and prevent the problem of adolescent smoking and alcohol use. Prevention strategies are extremely important, at all levels of society, to prevent this risky behavior. The article illustrates how certain forms of advertising have made the behavior more appealing and more kid-friendly. Everyone remembers the cute, cartoon Joe Camel advertisements that were very appealing to children and adolescents of all ages. Also, as Kinard and Webster states, adolescents with parents that consume alcohol are extremely more likely to consume alcohol themselves. This article helps to stress how many variables need to be considered to prevent adolescent smoking and drinking.  

News Report #5

“YouTube Withdraws Cleric’s Videos”

By: John F. Burns and Miguel Helft, NY Times Technology Section

<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/world/05britain.html?_r=1&ref=technology>

 On Wednesday, November 3rd, according to the article, American and British officials removed videos on YouTube that were posted by cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Though Anwar al-Awlaki is located in Yemen, his message, via YouTube, can be spread all over the world, which can potentially influence and recruit more terrorists against the West. His videos have been linked to a number of violent acts towards the West, including bombs and threats, some of which have resulted in the deaths of innocent people. The removal of his videos has resulted in the debate over whether this violates an individual’s freedom of expression. According to the article, Google, YouTube’s creator, stated that anything pertaining to straight-forward, religious purposes will be allowed on the site but any video that condones and inspires violence against an individual, group of individuals, or culture will most likely be taken off YouTube. It is important to take into consideration the influence of religion because a lot of the terrorist attacks have been fueled by religious viewpoints that go against what is considered “taboo” religious viewpoints of Western culture. 

I definitely believe that such videos should be removed from YouTube and other websites that stream videos and information for the masses. The distribution and free access to such videos can result in serious injury or death for many individuals. The videos, though it falls under the category of “freedom of expression”, also falls under the category of “terrorist attacks” and should be investigated further and properly removed from the Internet superhighway. Also, since the videos’ creator is known, investigations and charges should be applied in order to find out other potential terrorists and possibly prevent future attacks. 

News Report #4

“Ban Violent Books from Prison Libraries, Urges Connecticut State Senator”

By: Beverly Goldberg, American Libraries US and World News

<http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/10122010/ban-violent-books-prison-libraries-urges-connecticut-state-senator?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmericanLibrariesMagazine+%28American+Libraries+Magazine+Top+News%29>

John Kissel, the Senator for Connecticut, is trying to pass a new policy where all graphically violent books will be removed from libraries in prison. Kissel hopes to enact this new policy due to the claim that inmates may read these books, since they have nothing else to do, and use the graphically, violent material to carry out other crimes. Kissel is hoping to pass this policy without legislation. Even if this policy is not enacted, the prison department hopes to revise the libraries “to meet the educational, informational, and recreational needs of the inmates”. There are many individuals who oppose the banning of violent books in prisons because they believe that it takes more than words in a book to influence individual’s to commit crimes. To take the censorship of books a step further, the article also states how a prison in South Carolina has prohibited all books from inmates except for a Bible.

I am normally an extreme advocate against banning books. In this case, I am torn between both prison situations: I believe that inmates should have access to the Bible and other reading materials, if they choose, but I do believe that graphically violent material should be censored from them in prison. Like giving a drug to an incarcerated drug addict or giving a seductive photo of a child to an incarcerated molester, it seems that giving violent, criminal material to a violent criminal would only “fuel the fire”. More research should definitely be conducted to see if the access or lack of access to violent reading material, in prisons, actually has an effect on the inmates exposed to it.

Reading Report # 4

“The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google”

by: Steven J. Bell

When it comes to research papers, students find internet search engines, like Google, to be a lot more user-friendly than library databases. Unfortunately, internet search engines provide a wide array of irrelevant information which the article refers to as “infobesity”. Library databases prevent all of the irrelevant information by only providing “nutritious” information on topics. Unfortunately, many students lack the ability to use a database properly. This article stresses that teachers, libraries, and database creators should work together to help boost the popularity, knowledge, and usage of library databases amongst students. Many creators are making their databases more user-friendly and they are adding additional services to increase the popularity of their sites, such as citation creators. Also, teachers and librarians can increase the usage of databases by offering tutorials and by requiring that assignments be completed with the use of databases instead of internet search engines. Another initiative to increase the use of databases is the “RedLightGreen” project where databases provide the same, simple search options as internet search engines. 

I definitely believe that databases should be re-evaluated so they will be more user-friendly for students. My college library has recently re-formatted their database access website and though the databases are helpful in narrowing a search topic, it still requires several steps to navigate to the actual article. If database access was more user-friendly and faster to navigate through, I do believe that more students would be able to access the proper sources they need. Not only would this make life easier for students but it would also make teachers more pleased because students would not be using irrelevant, unacademic sources in their assignments. 

Reading Report #3

“Why the Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might be Libraries”

 by: Linda Holmes 

AND

“The ‘Library of the Future’ Begins to Emerge”

by: Sue Dremann

These two articles present a very clear point to their readers: Libraries are here to stay! There has been a continuous debate regarding how necessary libraries are and whether libraries are still a popular place to gather information. With the growing amount of technology and the use of the Internet for books and other forms of information, it is easy to see why some individuals believe the library and its vast array of hardcover books serve no purpose. In contrast, these two articles demonstrate how libraries can continue to be an important resource for society by reevaluating the way they distribute information: regular books, computers, electronic book readers, online article/book access, etc. By “keeping up with the times”, libraries can continue to provide great access to information at no cost to the community. Another growing debate, regarding the use of this new technology, is the necessity for the librarian’s role. Many individuals believe that with the use of online/electronic access, librarians will no longer be needed to help an individual access the information. These articles stress that librarians will be needed even more with new, technological advances because many individuals may not know how to access the information through online or electronic sources. 

I agree with the articles that libraries are still a viable, important resource for information, irregardless of the format of the document (electronic, hardcover, etc.). The implementation of new ways to retrieve information should only increase a library’s popularity and usage. Can you imagine how much more information would be available to you if a library chose to use a variety of information formats?

News Report #3

“Report: Feds to Push for Net Encryption Backdoors”

Declan McCullagh, Chief Political Correspondent for CNET

9/27/2010

< http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20017671-281.html?tag=topImage3 >

The Obama Administration is attempting to enforce a new federal law for Internet surveillance: a law that will force all Internet communication providers (e-mail, instant messengers, etc.) to provide a “backdoor” method that allows the government access to private information that would otherwise be blocked by security encryptions. This law will make completely secure, Internet communication sites non-existent. The federal government will have the right to invade a user’s privacy to monitor for criminal/terrorist suspects and to help with investigations. The article states that the federal government will only access such information if there is a court-order to do so.

In the past, with telephones as the main source of communication, it was fairly easy for the government to conduct wiretaps on potential suspects. Unfortunately this is not the case today: the encryptions on Internet communication sites have made it harder for the federal government to serve and protect against potential threats to our society. With this in mind, the government may enact this law sooner than later: the Internet is becoming the main source of communication for the majority of citizens. In my opinion, such a law may not be a bad thing. It would allow the government, under just cause and a court order, to monitor the behavior of potential terrorists, child molesters, gang-related individuals, serial killers, etc. With this new law, the government could monitor their suspects and carry out their investigations a lot sooner and more efficiently. Can you imagine the amount of lives that could be protected and saved from such a surveillance?

News Report #2

“Craigslist Unexpectedly Pulls Adult Services Listings”

Eric Bangeman, Ars technica

9/5/2010

<http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/09/craigslist-unexpectedly-pulls-adult-services-listings.ars> 

Craigslist is known for its easy access and for listings of everything in the world that can be given away or purchased. Originally, Craigslist did not see a problem with having a section where sex, like a used car or television, could be listed as “available”. Craigslist originally named this section “Erotic Services”. After constant criticism, Craigslist renamed and revised the section in May 2009: the “Adult Service” section would now make users pay a fee to post under such listings. The new revisions only raised more criticisms, resulting in the recent demise of the section. Over Labor Day Weekend, the section was permanently removed because law enforcement agencies believe that such listings will promote/condone prostitution and child exploitation. Unfortunately this may not be the end to such services on Craigslist: users may continue posting adult services under sections that are not intended for such use. 

It is about time that the “Adult Services” section was removed from Craigslist. Such listings can be viewed by anyone: there are no filters on Craigslist that can prevent children from accidentally accessing these listings. Also, there have been several documentaries showing how different sites, including Craigslist, have been used to set up profiles for females of all ages, even children, that are involved in the sex trade. I believe that If this section stayed online, it would be condoning prostitution and the exploitation of innocent children. I am surprised this section was not removed sooner: it was an easy target for law enforcement agencies because the users’ intents were well known by all viewers of the posts. 

Reading Report #2

“Is Wikipedia a Victim of Its Own Success?”

by: Farhad Manjoo

Wikipedia has been known for its easy access, open editing, and overwhelming lack of credible information. Everyone in the world, despite their expertise, has been able to post on Wikipedia: editing and creating information for the masses. This has caused a major debate on whether the site is a credible source for general knowledge and research papers. Recently, Wikipedia has tried to address this problem with more controls such as cross-checking the posts for accuracy. Another major problem is the site’s lack of diversity in people posting: the majority posting are men. As noted in the article, these issues can continue to decrease postings until Wikipedia meets its demise. 

Wikipedia should have controls that filter for accuracy amongst the site’s posts. Too many people take Wikipedia at “face value” without double-checking for its accuracy.  With this in mind, the level of misinformation on websites such as Wikipedia can have mixed effects on people (general misinformation, affecting a grade on a research paper, etc.) If the implementation of controls on Wikipedia are causing a decrease in posts, it makes me wonder if people are more concerned with just being heard versus actually posting expert, accurate information. As avid users of the internet and its many resources you would think society would be happy that certain sites, like Wikipedia, are trying to prevent individuals from being misinformed. As for the lack of women posting: if they are anything like myself, I am too busy and have way better things to do than try to edit or create posts online, especially when I have no expertise on the topic!

Reading Report #1

"Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet"
by: Paul S. Piper

There are a variety of websites on the internet that can offer misinformation to unsuspecting individuals. These sites can be hoaxes, counterfeit sites, fictitious sites, sites that have been hacked, and parody/spoof websites. Even sites that we rely on to stay “in the loop” of society, such as the news, have been affected by different levels of misinformation. 

Many counterfeit sites contain similar information and url addresses as the authentic sites they are trying to represent. Unlike counterfeit sites, fictitious and parody/spoof websites may be more easy to recognize for their lack of authenticity: humorous or very outrageous website designs and information.

Also, some of these misinformation/disinformation websites are subject-specific and can contain suspicious material with serious consequences. For example, as listed in the article, websites with misinformation about health care can be seriously detrimental to someone’s health and can even result in casualties. Serious social phenomenons have also been the topic for misinformation, such as 9/11 and the Holocaust. The article mentions how The Institute for Historical Review, for example, is a website that is trying to claim the Holocaust and all of its atrocities never happened.

I believe there is a definite need for internet users to be aware of misinformation sites. Some websites are more easy to recognize for their lack of authenticity than others. More information about how to recognize these websites should be accessible to the general public. One of the most serious consequences from misinformation can result in serious injuries or casualties. I do agree with the article that not all misinformation is a bad thing. When studying any part of society, individuals need a clear depiction of why two opposing forces feel so strongly about their position. With this in mind, even though one of these websites can be biased and misinforming to support a point, it can still provide viable information when researching opposing points of view and controversial topics. Even though these websites have some positive aspects, individuals should still have a basic knowledge of how to distinguish the informative from the misinformed. 

News Report #1

“New Youth Library in Ethiopia Makes Impossible Dream a Reality”

Leonard Kniffel, American Libraries

08/23/2010

< http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/08232010/new-youth-library-ethiopia-makes-impossible-dream-reality?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmericanLibrariesMagazine+%28American+Libraries+Magazine+Top+News%29 >

The majority of children, in developed countries, take for granted their easy access to books, computers, and library resources. This is not the case for children in developing countries such as Ethiopia. With the help of Yohannes Gebrebeorgis and other resources the region of Tigray, located in Ethiopia, received their first library for children and youth of all ages. According to the article the library has “some 10,000 books (more are on the way), 10 computer workstations, and two e-book readers”. Also, with the help of donkey transportation, the library will be able to spread books into more remote areas of Tigray. The library has been a great investment, considering that many of the children in this region have never even owned a single book. The children of Tigray will have access to knowledge that would otherwise be unavailable to them and, in the process, the knowledge obtained in this library could fuel these children to achieve the highest level of education and occupational success that they dream of.

As a lover of books, it is hard for me to imagine growing up in a culture where I never had the opportunity to step foot in a library or own a book. Looking back, I was thankful for my books but I do believe I took for granted the easy access to such material and the vast amount of material I had at my fingertips. Access to books and libraries greatly improves a child’s developmental skills and knowledge about a variety of topics. With this in mind, developing a library in an underdeveloped country, like Tigray, is a great investment for the future of the region: its children. These children will be able to expand their minds in ways that otherwise would be impossible without the resources provided within a library (computer access, books, etc.).  I believe I share the same hope as the individuals who helped build the Segenat Children and Youth Library: though these children are living in a very poor community, the access to library resources could greatly improve the future for these children, a future that otherwise may seem non-existent or pre-determined by their social status.