EOTO #2 Reactions

 

Awareness, Mediasphere, Theories, Policy, and the Age of AI are all incredible topics in which we were able to discover throughout the Each One Teach One #2 presentations in class. Covering these topics provided me with a deeper understanding of our political system and how humans share and decipher information. Some of the topics I found impactful during the presentations were eco-chambers, propaganda, confirmation bias, mainstream media, the Sherman antitrust act, and generative AI. All these topics significantly impacted my view on how our society runs, considering the widespread implications they have without us even knowing. 

So, firstly, I learned that eco chambers are when a person only encounters and is provided with information that reinforces their opinion. This is commonly seen on social media, as algorithms are designed to provide users with content that they enjoy or engage with most. So, it would make sense that users are constantly given information they agree with. Only pushing the user further and further to the opinion that they previously held. However, these eco chambers can also be found in other places, such as within families, schools, parties, and any other form of group learning. These places can create an environment in which many or all the individuals are on one side of the spectrum, thus leading to everyone agreeing and finding evidence to support that opinion. This limits the ability for discussion and debating of ideas to take place. Thus, creating an eco-chamber within the group or space. This was eye-opening, as I feel like not only myself but a lot of my peers fall into these eco-chambers. We use social media to stay up-to-date and research topics; however, we don't think of the negative impact that this can have. 

Secondly was the topic of propaganda, or deliberate attempts to influence people's opinions and values. Propaganda, although some might say doesn't exist, has been around for centuries and is continually used today to influence people. Governments, groups, and activists use propaganda in order to push their agenda onto others, usually without them even knowing. Some prominent examples we have seen throughout human history would be during World War II. Nearly every nation around the world was creating propaganda to show how bad the other side was and why their citizens should stay motivated to win the war. Although very effective, if discovered by those it is being used on, it can severely impact their trust and respect for the institution. I found this extremely important throughout the presentations because not only is it important to know what impact it has played in the past, but also to be able to recognize it when used in the future. Being able to decipher when it is being used for good  and when it is brainwashing the population. 

Thirdly, confirmation bias was a notable topic, as it explained why we have so much division within discussion today as many people fail to recognize their confirmation bias. Two people can often look at the same evidence or facts and take completely different opinions or takeaways from it. This comes from their confirmation bias or tendency to favor their previous opinion and interpret information using that. This leads to people losing the ability to be openminded or not have an opinion on a topic. Simply because they have a previous opinion or ego regarding their view and desire to be right. I feel as though this is one of the greatest problems facing society today, as the key to innovation is through the discussion of ideas and thinking outside the box. If we continue to tear each other down and shut down discussion, it will prohibit our ability to move forward. 

Mainstream media is traditional broadcasting or publishing outlets that convey news and stories to the public. They have played another major role in this dissemination of information, as there is usually a bias or misleading of facts in order to portray a certain position. Although this is not true for every mainstream media source, we have seen in the past few decades an incredible rise in the bias of media and the impact they have on political opinions. However, many have picked up on this bias and have begun to pursue other avenue's of information and research. Leading to the decrease in ratings of these outlets and the rise of alternative media sources. 

The Sherman-Antitrust Act prohibits companies from limiting competition in the marketplace. This helps stop the creation of monopolies in order to benefit the consumer. This is because without competition, one company can create a system in which they control what prices the consumer must pay, which often leads to price gouging and unstable economic conditions. Passed in 1890, the Sherman-Antitrust Law was some of the first laws targeting monopolies and the continued growth of competition within the United States. This is important because competition is what allows growth and the pursuit of new products. Without it, companies would have no problem collecting their profit over the entire industry and selling as much as physically possible. However, in recent decades we have seen the idea of media consolidation take place. This is the idea that as time goes on, there are fewer companies; however, each has more control than previously. This leads to a market in which many big companies own the market and make it impossible for smaller companies or newcomers to enter the industry. Although a sad truth, that is the direction that the world has moved towards, and it has been incredibly difficult and delicate to regulate.

Finally, generative AI was another topic that stuck out to me in the presentations because of the future impact it will have and has already had on society. With almost every innovation, we see it progress exponentially after creation and eventually become something no one could have ever imagined. Some examples being the smartphone, television, search engine, or internet. Generative AI, which is an AI algorithm that creates new images, text, and information, is like the next step in this timeline. Generative AI's ability to continuously learn from itself and develop shows me that there is no limit for how effective it can become. Having the power to change the world and society even more than the technologies before it. 

All the Each One Teach One #2 presentations made me much more informed on how we as humans depict information, interpret it, and then express it to others. Although sometimes it may seem simple, it can get extremely complicated when opinions, politics, and bias are also at play. Being able to recognize these is not only what makes you a better voter or activist, but what makes you a better citizen. Also, being able to put your best, non-bias foot forward is what allows us to form our own opinions and respect others. Ultimately leading to healthy conversations and the progression of society. And although this is not easy and takes time, it is incredibly rewarding and leads to a prosperous society.