Both Jill Walker Rettberg and Eli Pariser reveal that technology gives us a false sense of control and hides the truth from majority of users. Rettberg explains how productivity and apps that track your everyday behaviour, like eating and exercise come across are helpful, but in reality these devices only offer what the owner of that app chooses to prioritize, and also tracks users data. Similarly, Pariser warns that algorithms on trending social media apps like google and facebook filter the information we see to match what we already believe. In both cases, technology seems to help validate our current opinions but really it limits what we see and how we think. These are called filter bubbles, the algorithm filters content that is beyond our interests. Our identities become shaped by data, either through numbers that claim to represent our habits or through feeds that reflect our past clicks. What connects both arguments is the danger of trusting technology too much. When we rely on our devices, we risk losing touch with the real world. Personally, I have definelty fell victim to trusting my phone way too much and the data on it.
After reading this week’s article, I found myself reflecting on my own impact on social media and how a digital footprint can affect far more lives than we often realize. The story of Justine Sacco is a powerful reminder that her life and career were practically destroyed after just one tweet. As someone who spends a lot of time online and hopes to build a future career in social media, I recognize how important it is to be intentional and cautious about what I post. I was introduced to social media at a young age through my older sisters, and while that gave me early exposure, it also meant I didn’t fully understand the risks of creating such a public display of my life. This raises a bigger concern. People who are vulnerable, such as children, individuals with disabilities, or even elderly users who may not fully grasp how the internet works, are often the most likely to fall victim to the harsh realities of cancel culture. Digital footprints remaining on the internet forever, c...
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