Final Blog Post

Relationship Between Me and Social Media

Social media is a big part of my life.  Although that isn’t the ideal statement, it’s true. Whether it's scrolling on TikTok and Instagram for hours or sending Snapchats to my friends, I find myself on it more than I want to be. it’s ingrained in my daily routine. When it comes to my digital footprint, I like to think I have control. My Instagram is private, and I make sure what I post is something I wouldn’t mind my parents or relatives seeing. I used to be more active on TikTok and built a small following, but now I’m more of a viewer than a creator. It’s definitely still an enjoyable app, but there’s a downside to all that scrolling.

The Light and Dark Sides of Social Media

Social media has its highs and lows. On the light side, it keeps me connected with friends and family, especially those I don’t see every day. Apps like TikTok and Instagram are fun for discovering new trends, learning random life hacks, and exploring different perspectives. It’s powerful to connect with so many people at once.

For every light there’s a dark, Issues like comparison and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) come along when scrolling through Instagram or Snapchat stories. Its easy to feel left out. Everyone shares their vacations, parties, and milestones, making it seem like they’re living a perfect life. It’s hard to remember that social media is just a highlight reel.

Another dark side is reliance. It’s so easy to pick up your phone “just to check something” and suddenly lose an hour. I’ve had moments where I check TikTok before bed, and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. The Third Stage Consulting article made me realize that technology now shapes us more than we shape it. Social media isn’t just a tool, it’s an environment designed to keep us hooked.

The Invisible Footprint

One of the most eye-opening ideas from Fast Company was about "Sharenting", parents posting pictures of their kids online. Many kids grow up with a digital footprint before they even have control over it. This made me think about how other people shape our online presence.

I’ve always believed that keeping my accounts private and being cautious with my posts was enough. But it’s not just about what I post, it’s about what others post about me. Whether it’s a friend tagging me in a photo or being in the background of a TikTok, parts of me are online in ways I can’t control.

What’s scarier is that companies like Facebook and TikTok collect data even when we’re not posting. Just by using the app, we leave a trail. While I’m lucky my parents didn’t post much about me growing up, it’s clear this is a growing issue for younger generations.

Staying in Control

It's not easy, but we can make small changes to how we use social media. TikTok has a feature where you can put a time limit on the app. I put a limit on an hour a day, although sometimes I ignore it, it’s always in the back of my head. 

I’ve also become more mindful of how I react to people’s posts. It’s easy to feel like I’m not enough, but I remind myself that no one posts their bad days. This has helped me realize comparison is a thief of happiness.  

Lastly, I’m more conscious of privacy. I will make sure my account is private, and I'm not linking Facebook or Google on my Instagram account. The Fast Company article reminded me how much of our information is shared online, without us even knowing. 

Social media is always going to be a part of people's life, but we can use it for the good and not the bad. It's supposed to be a space for creativity and connecting with friends, but it also can take up a lot of your time, attention, and privacy.  We need to find a balance. 

EOTO1: Invention Of Television

There was no “main” person to invent the television. It took a lot of different brains and time to create what we have today. The idea started in the 1830s and 40s when the telegraph and telephone were invented.  

The first step was when Samuel F. B developed the telegraph which allowed messages being sent through wires. Which follows up to Alexander Graham Bell inventing the telephone allowing voices to travel through distance. With the two combined it created a lee way for Paul Nipkow to make a system to send images through moving discs. He named it the electric telescope, otherwise known as the early form of a television. 

Mechanical Television was the first to be commercially produced. On March 25th 1925, Scottish inventor John Logie Baird gave the first ever demonstration of moving images on a television screen.  This television was the first to utilize a cathode ray tube and its history can be traced back to the 19th century experimentation which involved cathode rays and electro-mechanical projectors. 

Although Mechanical television was groundbreaking,  it had limitations in quality and that made it hard to use at home.  This led to the development of electronic television, which had a much better image and capabilities. In 1927, Philo Farnsworth invented the first fully electronic television system. Farnsworth’s "image dissector" was able to convert images into electrical signals without any mechanical components.  This was a significant improvement from the rotating discs of mechanical TV. Around the same time, Vladimir Zworykin, developed a camera tube called the “Iconoscope,” which was also instrumental in the advancement of electronic television technology. 

The two inventors, Farnsworth and Zworykin, later were part of a long patent argument.  

In 1934 Farnsworth won the battle when the patent office ruled in his favor.  This secured his name for the invention of the electronic television. 

 In 1939, at the New York World Fair, television made a big public introduction.   RCA broadcast the opening ceremonies and this marked history in American culture.

By the 1950s, television was typical of every household, and it became the main source of entertainment and news, surpassing radio. Over time inventors and scientists have created the evolution of television from mechanical TV to today’s very thin high-definition smart TVs. These inventions and upgrades in technology has shaped the way we watch TV, get our content, and connect with each other through a screen.

https://www.history.com/news/who-invented-television

https://www.tcl.com/global/en/blog/playbooks/history-of-tv

Privacy

In today's world, social media is a big part of a lot of peoples everyday lives. Taking pictures is a major factor in that. Whether it's snapping a picture of yourself to your friends, taking a group photo and posting it on your Instagram story, or sharing a video on TikTok.  Although we do not think too much of it, you really never know where your face could end up.  Juan Enriquez and Catherine Crump emphasize the importance of protecting your online presence. 

In a TedTalk I watched called "Your Online Life, Permanent as a tattoo" Juan Enriquez explains how your online presence can be a permanent imprint on the internet.  Anything you post or share on the Internet is permanent no matter how many times you try to erase or delete it. This is why Juan refers to these posts as "electronic tattoos".  Posting on social media isn't the only thing you have to worry about. Juan emphasized the advancement on technology and facial recognition is becoming more in use, and can affect your jobs and future.  Make sure you are careful what you post. 

Catherine Crump explains in her TedTalk how police are using advanced surveillance technology, like license plate readers and cell phone trackers, to collect information on people’s movements and activities. Even innocent people have their data stored, which can be misused for things like profiling or blackmail. The government is also combining this data into large databases, making it even more powerful and dangerous. Catherine emphasizes we need laws to stop police from keeping data about innocent people and protect our privacy while still allowing the technology to be used for real crimes.

These issues hit close to home because they affect everyone—me, my friends, and my family. We all use technology daily, but how often do we think about who is watching or where our information is going? It’s unsettling to know that something as simple as a selfie or driving through town could leave a trail of data for someone to use.

 The government should implement stronger regulations to protect our privacy. This includes limiting how long personal data is stored and ensuring transparency about how surveillance tools are used.  We also have a responsibility to protect ourselves. We have to be mindful of what we share, using privacy settings, and staying informed about how technology works. These are small and simple but important steps we can take. 

EOTO2: Cord cutting

Cable television has been declining for years now and we are beginning to understand why.  There are so many new streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video that people would much rather use and there are so many different programs to choose from.  In addition, these platforms offer easy ways to search for something to watch by providing categories and genres.  People have “cut the cord” by turning in their cable boxes and choosing to stream instead.

Cost is one of the main causes of cutting the cord. (A Leichtman Research Group research from 2023 states that), while streaming services usually cost between $7 and $20 a month, the average cable bill is over $100. Studies show that most homes only frequently view about 17 of the hundreds of channels that are included in cable subscriptions, highlighting the inefficiencies of standard cable bundles. On the other hand, streaming services let customers customize their subscriptions and only pay for the content they like.

In the early 2010s, cable was what most families used for their entertainment.  There were big shows like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead as well as live sporting events that 90% of households would watch.  This made cable companies over $10 billion and this surpassed regular broadcasting.  Even though families have hundreds of choices, it has almost become harder for people to decide what they want to watch.  The research shows that most families only watch approximately 17 shows.

Another factor is how we consume media now. Most people, especially younger generations, are used to watching YouTube or TikTok on phones, tablets, or laptops instead of sitting in front of a TV. Streaming platforms now are built for that kind of flexibility. They offer exclusive original content, like the top shows and movies, that cable can’t compete with. Cable networks once thrived on live events and sports, but even these are now available on platforms like ESPN+ or YouTube TV.

Cable companies have tried to adapt by offering their own streaming options, such as Peacock and HBO Max, but it’s clear that traditional TV is losing its grip. Most of the big companies are choosing to shift their focus toward streaming, and they are putting a lot of money into these services.  It is understandable that older generations still prefer to use cable because this is what is familiar to them, however, for a lot of people, the rise of streaming services and platforms offer convenience and variety that will continue to attract viewers. 

Sources

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/streaming-services-vs-cable-battle-budget-which-one-saves-you-more-money/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2020/11/02/the-rise-and-fall-of-cable-television/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/782509/united-states-adult-millennials-cable-purchasing-cord-cutting-plan/