When I was
in first grade, I had a teacher who always told her students that everything
has a good use and a bad use. If we ever doodled on our desks, she would tell
us that that was an example of a “bad use” for a pencil. If us students ever
fought and yelled at each other, she would tell us that yelling was not the
right use of our voices. I remember feeling very annoyed and asking myself why
we were even given pencils in the first place if we weren’t supposed to write
on desks.
Even though
it might seem trivial, this is an important aspect of information and
technology ethics. We are clearly still adapting to the moral dilemmas that new
technologies have posed, one of these being the regulation placed on these new technologies.
Many everyday platforms and devices we use can be employed with objectively
wrong intentions: Facebook can be a platform for fake news, Tinder can be used
to facilitate stalking, and Snapchat can be used for bullying.
In “Values
in technology and disclosive computer ethics”, Philip Brey introduces the idea
of embedded values in tech. Through embedded values, Grey discusses that certain
devices or platforms “have built-in tendencies to promote or demote particular
values”. This idea is particularly relevant in the controversial debate on
Facebook’s responsibility to stop the spread of fake information on its
platform.
Facebook
has been criticized for not doing enough to filter through false information
posted on the web. As a result, Facebook has already stated that it will
implement measures to limit fake and misleading information. Although vaguely
explained, these measures are mostly targeted at sites covered by ads which
post fake headlines for clicks.
Although it
is positive for Facebook to want to create a better platform for its users,
this initiative poses a dangerous issue: the company will now have the
authority to determine the meaning of “fake news”. This means that Facebook will
be shaping our perceptions of what is happening around us. Is it really worth
it to limit information? We should all be given access to all information on
the web, but also educated to distinguish between fake news and facts.
In first
grade, I eventually learned what the best use of a pencil is because I was
given the opportunity to find its benefits. Shouldn’t we do the same with
Facebook?
I think you did a good job of introducing the problem but I think you should spend more time talking about Facebook in your introduction. Furthermore, you could connect how Facebook not doing enough to filter through fake news to Brey's reading a little more instead of just mentioning the reading once and never again. I also think that maybe adding an example of the fake news that exists on Facebook will enhance your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel, I really like the personal anecdote that helps portray your thoughts on Facebook's responsibility in the policing of fake news. I think you could've added more of your personal stance on this issue. In addition, I would have liked to seen more specifics on how Philip Brey's article connects with the issue to really solidify your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think that this post is extremely well written. I love the way you begin with the anecdote of you in first grade. That part pulled me into wanting to read the rest of the article. I had no cue where the article was going after the first paragraph, but I really wanted to know! It was also great how you ended referencing your personal anecdote, as well. That tied the whole piece together. One thing I would suggest would be to include photos and/or hyperlinks. You could add a screenshot of a fake news post that you have seen on Facebook, perhaps. I also think that you could mention Brey's reading again and possibly tie that together with how you felt in first grade. Overall, I love your post!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job writing the blog! Adding a picture to your blog would help engage the reader, so you could a picture of fake news on Facebook. In addition, you could think about incorporating Saslow's article as it revolves around the same idea of spreading false information on social media.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on introducing the writing from your own experience in the first paragraph. I think that really helped the readers to have an idea in mind of what your piece will be about. And I think your choice of argument from the reading really supported your writing. One thing you should do is to add some visuals to the blog to engage the readers' interest in your post.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you introduced us to the topic with a personal anecdote! I think that helps engage the reader, and I think that if you can add to this effect by expressing more of your own personal view on the steps Facebook should take are. I think your post will also be helped by the addition of more connections to the reading, as there was only one brief paragraph with that focus.
ReplyDelete