Pinedo_Janie_EY360_Assignment_4 (1)
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PY360
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Jan 9, 2024
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Janie Marie Pinedo
Student ID # AC1111904
PY360 Ethics in Technology
Assignment 4
12/03/2023
Ethics in Technology
Part 1: Early milestones in information storage and retrieval
The threads of information retrieval and storage are woven into the threads of human history in a way that spans millennia and includes incredible turning points. Every stage of this evolution, from the invention of written language with the Greek alphabet to Ted Nelson's groundbreaking hypertext system, represents a leap forward in technology and a critical turning point that has shaped the way we perceive, capture, store, and retrieve information. The early milestones in information storage and retrieval include the Greek alphabet, the Gutenberg Press, Library Catalogs, Punch Cards, and Ted Nelson's contribution.
One of the early milestones in information storage and retrieval was the Greek alphabet and manuscripts. Around 800 BCE, the Greek alphabet changed information storage. The structure of this alphabet made the written language more accessible and manuscript creation easier (Quinn, 2020). The Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century BCE, reminds
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ancient Greeks of dedication to knowledge. The scrolls and manuscripts inside its walls became a beacon of intellectual wealth, setting the groundwork for future libraries.
Another milestone is the Gutenberg Press. Johannes Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized information diffusion in the 15th century. Mass-produced books released knowledge from manuscripts, enabling unprecedented distribution. This revolutionary technology democratized information, empowering non-elites and transforming society (Lecture Notes, n.d). The printed word sparked the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and imagination.
Library Catalogs and the Dewey Decimal System are other milestones. As human knowledge grew, efficient information retrieval became essential. Library catalogs and methodical organization made finding information in extensive collections easier in the 17th century. In the 19th century, Melvil Dewey established the Dewey Decimal System, which ranked information numerically (Quinn, 2020). This breakthrough improved library information accessibility and created the framework for modern classification systems.
Punch Cards and early computing are other milestones in storing and retrieving information. Punch cards revolutionized information storage in the 19th and 20th centuries. These cards were used in early computers as data storage. Though crude today, these machines set the groundwork for more advanced electronic data storage systems (Quinn, 2020). This period saw technological advancement and computational theory merge, launching the digital age.
The last milestone is Ted Nelson's Contribution. Hypertext changed information organization and accessibility in the 1960s. Project Xanadu, conceived by pioneer Ted Nelson in the 1960s, was innovative. His approach enabled non-linear information access through networked digital documents (Lecture Notes, n.d). This revolutionary development changed how
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we explore, consume, and engage with data, laying the groundwork for the World Wide Web. Nelson's concept transformed information from a linear sequence to an interconnected web, allowing users to navigate knowledge dynamically.
The history of information storage, from the Greek alphabet to the hypertext system, shows a narrative of human creativity. Around 800 BCE, the Greek alphabet ordered knowledge and gave birth to repositories such as the Library of Alexandria. In the 15th century, Gutenberg's press democratized knowledge, altering societies. In the 17th and 19th centuries, library catalogues and the Dewey Decimal System improved information retrieval. The nineteenth century saw a transition to mechanical storage, predicting the digital future. Ted Nelson's hypertext technology revolutionized navigation in the 1960s, foreshadowing the World Wide Web. This voyage represents technological progress and humanity's continual search for knowledge, demonstrating the transforming force of creativity and tenacity throughout our intellectual history.
Part 2: Rawls' Theory of Justice: The Veil of Ignorance
John Rawls' theory of justice is firmly rooted in his brilliant thought experiment with the "original position" and the "veil of ignorance." Individuals in this hypothetical situation build a society without being aware of their features or surroundings. This willful ignorance, aided by the veil of ignorance, protects decision-makers from becoming aware of their social rank, abilities, or personal preferences.
The primary goal of Rawls' thought experiment is to eliminate prejudices and promote justice in constructing society's laws. The veil of ignorance fosters rational decision-making free of self-interest by depriving individuals of knowledge about their characteristics. This, in turn, supports forming a just society since those seeking to avoid possible disadvantages once the veil
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is lifted attempt to prevent prospective penalties (Quinn, 2020). According to Rawls, rational individuals functioning under ignorance would build a society structure that assures fairness and justice. The fear of not knowing one's standing after the veil fosters the development of standards
that protect against unfair disadvantages. This approach is embodied by Rawls' "difference principle," which holds that social and economic disparities are ethically justified only when they
benefit society's most vulnerable members. The veil of ignorance serves as the symbol of Rawls' theory, which promotes a social structure based on equity and equal opportunity. It attempts to eradicate prejudices and promote impartiality in society design by purposefully neglecting human characteristics in the first position. The ultimate objective is to create an equitable and just culture that puts everyone's welfare first, regardless of their unique situation. This strategy turns into a powerful tool for changing social structures in the direction of a more morally sound and welcoming base.
Part 3: Internet Addiction: Personal Experience and Expert Opinion
Personal experiences of obsessive social media use, online gaming, and constant connectedness interrupt regular activities and negatively impact productivity and overall health. These behaviours are indicative of a digital dependency. This firsthand account is consistent with
the professional viewpoints offered in "Ethics for the Information Age." The essay explores the pervasiveness of internet addiction and highlights its negative consequences. Experts stress the psychological aspects, comparing the symptoms of substance addiction withdrawal and lack of control to psychological factors. The book clarifies the elements that lead
to internet addiction (Quinn, 2020). Because digital encounters are immersive and online content
is easily accessible, an environment that encourages addictive behaviours is created. Social
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networking sites use algorithms that target psychological weaknesses in order to increase users' need for continuous stimulation and encourage sustained usage.
"Ethics for the Information Age" explores the growing incidence of internet dependency and its detrimental effects, reinforcing the viewpoint on the subject. Expert views that highlight the similarities between drug abuse and dependence on the internet are highlighted in the text, with a focus on psychological elements such as loss of control and symptoms of withdrawal. The
development of addictive behaviors can be fostered by excessive use of the internet, which is frequently driven by reasons like social isolation and an unquenchable need for continual stimulation (
The Guardian, 2014
). Expert advice confirms individual encounters and emphasizes how urgent it is to address the complex interactions between technology, mental health, and ethical issues that arise in our increasingly digital environment.
The immersive quality of digital encounters, the accessibility of online material, and the development of easily manipulated technology are some of the factors that lead to internet addiction. For example, algorithms used by social media sites use psychological weaknesses to promote continued usage. These tactics aim to optimize user engagement and duration on the platform, given that these factors directly correlate with advertising income. The use of these features may worsen internet addiction and negatively impact users' mental health and overall well-being, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics for informed decision-making and societal addressing of the broader effects of these design methods (Quinn, 2020). People may find themselves drawn to online activities regularly, even when aware of the detrimental effects on their everyday lives and well-being. To treat and lessen the impact of internet addiction, both people and society must recognize these aspects.
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Finally, academic research and firsthand experience both validate the validity of internet addiction as a real problem. It is imperative to comprehend its contributing components to address the ethical implications of technology usage in the information age. Addressing the moral impact of technology in the information age begins with an awareness of the elements that contribute to internet addiction. As technology develops, it is critical to find a balance between maximizing its advantages and reducing any possible drawbacks, emphasizing ethical design, responsible usage, and the welfare of both people and society. Encouraging digital literacy and responsible technology usage is crucial to allowing people to decide what actions to take online. Campaigns for awareness and education may promote better use habits and assist people in identifying the warning symptoms of internet addiction.
References
The Guardian. (2014). What happens with digital rights management in the real world? https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/feb/05/digital-rights-management
Quinn, J. M. (2020). Ethics for the Information Age. Lecture Notes. (n.d). Intellectual Property Rights
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