Response to Reading of "Censorship Packet"

This Censorship Packet compilation included news articles from different sources. Each article discussed censorship of internet access/information.

The articles about censorship in the communist countries China and Cuba explain that the governments control internet access in a variety of ways. In Cuba, access to the World Wide Web is limited, and even illegal; when and where access is available, it is cost prohibited. Cuba also bears the hardship of coldwar causing lack of adequate technologies and access. In China, complicated filters with ever changing parameters limit access to types of information and information from certain sources, self censorship is promoted. That seems kind of like the people being treated like children by their government!

Speaking of how-children-should-be-treated, the ridiculous censorship that prevents our children from learning about humpback whales. . .Well, that is ridiculous. Sounds like we need a filter that is more complicated and refined to apply parental guidance to our children's internet use without reducing its value as a resource to learning. Maybe like the filters used in China! Promoting self censorship, tolerance, understanding, and ideas that enlightening to our children (on the internet and otherwise), is the only way to keep things like hate crime from continuing to get worse.

TOP SECRET Don't go there! by Todd Shelds

This article expresses the concerns about openness and freedom of information vs. privacy and security. It talks about the trade-off of enjoying the benifit of being informed and aware through investgative journalism vs. avalibility of one's personal information.
Information long considered public being cloaked by privacy protection laws is definately a step backwards. I think the advances in technology should do what it is doing; making information more easily avalible. It also should connect more data and create more accountability, for government officials, for corporations, the media, and individiual citizens. The existing laws of misuse of information do need to be applied to avalible information, and enforced; whether the information is gathered by long hours at the library and courthouse or if it is accessed via the internet.

Response to reading of Sheldon Pacotti's "Are We Doomed Yet?"

This article described different ways of thinking and feeling about how technology is advancing. It's really great to be able to do the things that are made possible by the latest technology! The leaps and bounds, and the ever-expanding possibilities are exciting! Everyone having access to SO much information, and communication, too. The more we learn, the more we realize there is to learn.

On the other hand, what about the increased potential of harm by malicious misuse?Upon becoming more familiar to the realm of the internet, I realized that privacy and security were at risk. So, I need a firewall, virus protection, and a pop-up control. (. . .and don't forget to delete your cookies, you know what I mean!) This article was interesting and thought provoking. Reading this article changed the focus my concern.

Mr. Pacotti's made a compaison of security hacking to completing levels on a video game. Security and surveillance cameras are everywhere we go; helicopters and satelites are in the sky. Used as deterants of crime, or for homeland security (or tracking those driver's license chips). Technology advances, knowledge will proceed, and understanding will move forward.


Big Brother is Watching (corrupt intelligence agency), and Thought Crimes (classified/dangerous knowledge), are prevailing ideas of this article. Mr. Pacotti says that ". . our best chance of survival lies not in criminalizing certain kinds of expertise or knowledge but in disseminating that knowledge as widely as possible, . ".

Avoiding an Orwellian future seems more important than protecting privacy. Although, I do think there is more to worry about than just a few `monkey wrench' throwers. Mr. Pacotti is too optimistic in that reguard.