Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Final Thoughts
We all desire to have the freedoms that most of us have been afforded since birth. With that come the complexities of how to protect it. The government of this country is certainly taking direct action in utilizing these technologies in its efforts to secure and surveil. In search of breeches that effect and are in direct opposition to our security and safety. The issue is at what price and how constitutional is it? There is a heightened since of fear and skepticism that has permeated our culture since 9-11 and the resulting war on terrorism. With all this being said there are plenty of individuals that have a growing concern there privacy and the public domain in which we live. The impact is that it does impede free speech and public communication online. It is clear that users of computer-mediated communication are using “new media to become informed” and “to inform others” (Kahn and Kellner, 2004). Here again, we live in such a state of increased security concerns, that concern has been founded, and we feel it all around us. We all have a human need and desire to feel safe and secure even with our individual political differences set aside. The important concept is that we utilize new technology to protect our interest as well as to insure our freedoms.
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4 comments:
The need to feel secure and safe has increasing becoming a major concern across the country. Surveillance has heightened since the events of September 11, 2001. Since that time the issue of privacy versus security has been an issue. One action that has taken place since that time is monitoring in different workplaces. In 2001 survey the American Management Association found that “more than three-quarters of all major U.S. firms are recording and/or reviewing the email messages, telephone calls, Internet connections, and computer files of their employees.” (Nord, McCubbins, & Nord, 2006) Some people argue that this monitoring invades their privacy; other might say that they feel are secure and safe. They might feel more secure and safe because there is some control in communication, sexual harassment prevention, and prevents equipment misusage, such as excessive telephone or email usage. (Nord, McCubbins, & Nord, 2006) Perhaps, these monitoring measures are necessary because communication technologies are tools that help carried extreme events like on September 11th. It is said that the global internet is creating a base and the basis for an unparalleled worldwide anti-war/pro-peace and social justice movement during a time of terrorism, war, and intense political struggle. (Kahn & Kellner, 2004) There are numerous amounts of internet users who use the internet to form positive organizations. On the other hand, there are also internet users who use the internet to communication their negative actions on society. However, the question still remains if society is willing to give up more of their privacy for high levels of security and surveillance.
References:
Kahn, R., & Kellner, D. (2004). New media and internet activism: From the 'battle of Seattle' to blogging. New Media and Society, 6 , 87-95.
Nord, D., McCubbins, T., & Nord, J. (2006). E-Monitoring in the Workplace: Privacy, Legislation, and Surveillance Software. Communication of the ACM , 73-77.
Big Brother
I agree that the need for safety has become increasingly important to our nation. This isn’t a bad thing but at what cost could be the down fall. I feel that technology is increasing this ability to feel safe for most people. But at the same time it takes away from our freedom. People usually feel that freedom and our safety work together, and are close to the same thing. But I feel that they are almost opposites since you have to give up in one to get more of the other. For example when (Marks, 2006) talks about how the “Pentagon’s National Security Agency was logging phone calls since the events and resulting tragedy of September 11th 2001”. This is definitely a scary thing, since you have to give up some of your freedom to gain a little more security. You have to find a happy medium between the two. Is it possible that you can have both?
Even after all the things we have read or discussed about how we are being monitored and secured, do we feel better? September 11th shook the whole country and left us with more rules and regulations then we had ever imagined. We go to the airport and have to make sure we have none of the items they list and a small enough portion of others to get on the plane safely. This goes for the internet as well as described in this blog and our readings. "The internet and neocentric technologies have vastly increased the speed of communication", but at what cost to us (Wallace, 2004)? In a 2001 survey the American Management Association found that “more than three-quarters of all major U.S. firms are recording and/or reviewing the email messages, telephone calls, Internet connections, and computer files of their employees.” (Nord, McCubbins, & Nord, 2006)I believe that this is appropriate for the workplace. That is there computer network and they should be able to monitor it as closely as they feel. Almost everyone has the internet at home so if they want to surf the web or send funny emails, they should do it at home where they are not monitored. Businesses strive on productivity, not goofing around. Did this group think that the internet should be monitored or not?
Protection by the law is just as important as protection from the law. I do not feel too comfortable with the government using the Internet to spy on its citizens. Marks (2006) talks about the "NSA pursuing its plans to tap the web" (30). This could potentially deter people who are here illegally from using the Internet. That would put them at a great disadvantage from the rest of America.
I was wondering if it is justifiable for some agencies to use the web as an investigating tool and not for others. Is it ok for Homeland Security to track down terrorists using the web, but not ok for the NSA to track down illegal aliens with the same methods? What do you think?
Reference:
Marks, P. (2006). Keep put of Myspace. New Scientist, 190, 30-31
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