BLOG #4: Each One Teach One Bluetooth

Do you use AirPods? Does your phone connect to your car? Do you ever Air Drop photos to a friend? Do you use a GPS to get to and from a destination? If so, you're an avid user of Bluetooth! Bluetooth is all around us and is pretty much connected to every piece of technology that we use. It has become a vital and universal form of communication for millions and millions of people. 

Bluetooth was originally created back in 1994 by Haartsent and Ericsson. The invention was named after King Harold "Bluetooth" Gormsson who united Norway and Denmark. Just like King Harold united the two countries, founders of Bluetooth wanted to unite all electronic sources. The Bluetooth symbol is actually King Harold's ruin initials combined. Bluetooth was ultimately invented to give people the ability to connect all of their devices together in an easy and sufficient way. It gives so much accessibility to users and makes technology and communication easier and faster. 

In the early 2000's Bluetooth was finally released to the public. The first product was a wireless headset used by many businessmen and women. From then on, other products began to emerge such as Bluetooth car kits, GPSs, headphones, and smartphones. Bluetooth would consistently update their technology and create newer versions, allowing more products to be formed. In the mid-2000's we started to see small accessories emerge with Bluetooth such as mice, keyboards, printers, frames, and watches. Every version created by Bluetooth was updated, creating faster connection speed, a bigger range, and more compatibility for users. The technology allows devices to communicate using low-power radio waves on a frequency band between 2.400 GHz and 2.483.5 GHz

Bluetooth does have a few negatives that scientist still need to figure out. Some of these include distance (Bluetooth only had a connection of 30ft at the moment), Security (there is really no way to keep someone from not connecting), battery drain (Bluetooth eats up users' batteries due to the low-power radio waves), and Transmission (only allows for 24mbps in comparison to direct Wifi which allows for 250mbps.) Although there may be a few disadvantages, the advantages of Bluetooth completely outweighs them. The positives of Bluetooth include wireless connection (no tangled wires), affordability (it is cheap to make and most products already come with it), easy accessibility (always there with one click of a button), detection accuracy (can detect devices fast and accurately), it's universal (almost all technology products are able to connect with Bluetooth in this day in age), and you are able to use a Personal Area Network "PAN" (create your own hotspot and share it with others.)

Bluetooth is not going anywhere. The form of communication is only going to improve over the years. Bluetooth has no real competition because the market is extremely hard to enter and there is quite literally nothing like it. With more technology inventions over the years, Bluetooth will only continue to grow and improve. Our world might be ever-changing, but Bluetooth is one thing that is here to stay.

BLOG #11: The World of AI

Aritificial intelligence is all over the world around us today. Whether we like it or not, we are constantly being monitored and watched. Like the video mentioned, we might think we are using the internet but it really is the other way around- the internet is using us. Every day we are voluntarily submitting ourselves to survellience even in our own homes. 

Some examples of artificial intelligence consists of the famous Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and iPhone Seri. These devices our constantly listening to us speak, hearing our actions, and understanding exactly what we are thinking. I remember a few years ago I read an article about an Amazon Echo used as evidence for a murder case. Since the Amaozon Echo was plugged in the home that the murder occured in, the court used the recordings on the Amazon Echo that day to listen in to exactly what happened. Through these recordings they were abke to actually listen to the murder and identify the murder's voice. Many people think that you must say the world "Alexa" for the Amazon Echo but truthfully, Alexa is listening and recording your voice and actions even when not qued. 

BLOG #3: Values of Free Expression

There are eight main values of free expression within our nation. These values consist of a marketplace of ideas, participation in self-government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation, and promote dissent. Each of these values play a vital role within our government and the freedoms we have under the first amendment. Of the eight values I believe a marketplace of ideas and check on governmental power resonates with me the most.

 To begin, a marketplace of ideas is such a strong value in any situation. To have the ability to truly speak out and say what we are thinking and feeling here in America is such a privilege compared to other parts of the world. Having the capability to hear other peoples' opinions and ideas in order to better a situation is truly incredible. For example, I am currently taking a Strategic Management class where I work with a team to run a stimulated business. When making decisions, we all throw out our ideas good or bad in order to come to a consensus. By having a marketplace of ideas, we are able to see the positives and negatives of a decision and we are able to come up with ideas that others would have never imagined. Another example in which I believe a marketplace of ideas is extremely present but also controversial is within our press. For example, in class we have been talking a lot of news sources. This consists of different tv networks, websites, magazines, books, and social media. Each one of these platforms has their own ideas and their own opinion. This is such a crucial example of a marketplace of ideas that is truly prominent in society today. Many of the laws in our nation have been developed through a marketplace of ideas and will continue to do so throughout the future. In the Social Theory Practice, a journal of social philosophy, John Stuart Mill explains that "all ideas must be allowed to be expressed freely in order to serve the ultimate end: human progress." I could not agree more with this statement. If individuals were not allowed to express their ideas, our society would be stuck in a constant revolving cycle. We would not find solutions to issues, create new innovations, or grow as a society, we would just be...stuck. I personally think that all seven other values of free expression within our nation truly piggyback from the value of a marketplace of ideas. 

 

        Check on governmental power is another one of the eight values that really stands out to me. As Americans, we are part of the checks-and-balances process. Without this restraint put on parts of the government, certain brances could gain too much power. If a branch gains too much power and steps outside their responsibilities, our whole government system can start to plummet. As Americans, it is our duty and right to vote. We are able to choose what and who we like and do not like while voting. The legislators we nominate into power are our voice. We have the capability to choose and have a say in what we want or don't want, a privilege many other countries do not have. For example, throughout class we have recently been talking about the Supreme Court and judicial system. Our judicial system has the ability to check on the law-making powers of the executive and legislative branches. I actually tried to research times in history when checks and balances have failed, but every website just kept bringing up how former President Trump completely destroyed our checks and balances system. I completely disagree with this opinion and actually find it funny how this kept coming up throughout my search. This is just a prominent example of biased press which is a huge issue and concern within our nation, yet is completely legal because of our First Amendment rights.

The eight main values of free expression are extremely important to know and understand. Without these values, America would not be where it is today. Throughout the history of our nation, these values have definitely shaped and devloped, yet the foundation has stayed the same. 

BLOG #2: Supreme Court History

To be completely honest, I am not as well-versed on the Supreme Court as I should be. As such a vital part of our government, I really should begin to stay updated and informed on the basics of our court. While reading Supreme Court History, I learnt a great deal of information about the Supreme Court that I previously did not know. One example is how Chief Justice Charles Evan Hughes made a huge impact on the freedom of speech and press. I like how the article explained that this was a time of transition for the court from being the protector or property rights to the protector of civil rights.

Chief Justice Charles Evan Hughes (1910-1916, 1930-1941)

I believe the most important take-away of this article and the Supreme Court as a whole, is recognizing that this branch has the power to check the actions of both the executive branch and legislative branch. If our country and government branches did not have checks and balances, branches would take advantage of their power and our government would be chaotic. 

The most surprising piece of information that I learned throughout the article was that original six Supreme Court Justice's that Washington appointed did not actually hear any cases throughout their first term. The first term was primarily used for developing the rules and creating the foundation of the court. 

The first six supreme court justices. Clockwise from top left: John Balir Jr., William Cushing, Robert Harrison, John Jay, John Rutledge, and James Wilson

Throughout my life, I have not given much attention to our supreme court. I always thought that this branch of government was so above me and that their decisions did not affect me. After the video and the article, I have learned that the Supreme Court does apply to me and does have a vital impact on me. I definitely am going to view the Supreme Court from a new perspective moving forward, and hope to stay up to date on current information. 

BLOG #1: My Top 5 News Sources

 In today's world, finding a reliable and unbiased news souce seems like an impossible task. With so much controversey revolving around fake news and the media, it's difficult to follow just one source. Below are some of my favorite news soruces:

SOURCE 1: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

The Associated Press News, better known as AP, has been around since 1846. This is personally one of my favorite news sources because it is a very unbiased, independent network. The Associated Press is one of the few news sources that does not feed into party politics. I find this site to cover a very broad range of stories nationally and globally. 

SOURCE 2: THE DISPATCH

The Dispatch is another one of my favorite news sources, because it provides background information  to each story. For example if a story is about capitalism, The Dispatch will have an option to learn what capitalism is and give examples in order to help the reader better understand the article. I also like The Dispatch because it leans a little right, yet still is mostly centered. 

SOURCE 3: THE HILL

Similarly to The Dispatch, The Hill is another great news source that goes really in depth about current topics. Although leaning a little right, The Hill provides great up-to-date information on occuring matters. One of my favorite aspects about The Hill is that the reader can see srticles as they are coming in. This goes to show how proactive they are with gaining information. 

SOURCE 4: THE ECONOMIST

The Economist is a great news source that covers a broad range of topics. A few things I love about the Economist are the weekly editions they provide along with their featured articles and wide range of sections. If I want information soley on China, there is a China tab I can click that brings me to all articles related to the country. If I want information soley on President Biden, there is a tab I can click that gives me every article related to him. I think one of the greatest parts about the Economist is how easy the site is to navigate.

SOURCE 5: THE POST MILLENNIAL

When I am looking for a non-american news perspective, I love to transition over to the The Post Millennial. The Post Millennial covers many of the same news topics as our common US sources except it is from a Canadian perspective. It is nice to see a different perspective every once in a while, and I think The Post Millennial does a great job of describing a variation of stories and topics.