EOTO #2

"Hey Guys, My name is Tatum

Whistleblowers are government employees who reveal government wrongdoings, often at great personal risk. Their actions can expose lies, hold the powerful accountable, and sometimes spark global debates. But they also raise tough questions: Do they protect democracy, or do they endanger national security?

Today, I’ll focus on four whistleblowers—Mark Felt, also known as “Deep Throat,” Jack Teixeira, Daniel Ellsberg, and Edward Snowden—and explore what their actions meant and the consequences they faced.

Mark Felt, better known as “Deep Throat,” was the FBI’s second-in-command during the 1970s. He became a confidential source for journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, leaking information about the Watergate scandal. This scandal revealed illegal activities tied to President Nixon’s re-election campaign, including a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-ups. Felt’s leaks were crucial in uncovering the truth, leading to Nixon’s resignation in 1974. Felt stayed anonymous until 2005, when he revealed his identity. His actions remain controversial—some see him as a hero for exposing corruption, while others criticize him for betraying the FBI.

Following along in the same time period, Daniel Ellsberg is one of the most well-known whistleblowers in U.S. history. In 1971, as a military analyst, he leaked the Pentagon Papers—a classified study showing that the U.S. government had misled the public about the Vietnam War. Ellsberg believed the public deserved to know the truth. His actions sparked nationwide protests and led to a Supreme Court ruling that upheld press freedom. He was charged under the Espionage Act and faced up to 115 years in prison, but the charges were dropped due to government misconduct. Ellsberg is often celebrated as a pioneer in whistleblowing, with his case influencing future debates about government transparency.

In 2023, Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old Air National Guard member, leaked classified U.S. military documents in a Discord chat for gamers. The documents included sensitive information about the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. intelligence on allies, and military strategies. Unlike other whistleblowers, Teixeira wasn’t motivated by political or ethical concerns—he reportedly leaked the documents to impress his online friends. His actions raised serious concerns about how classified information is handled in the digital age. Teixeira was arrested and charged under the Espionage Act, showing how modern whistleblowing can be unintentional yet still have major consequences.

In 2013, Edward Snowden, a contractor for the NSA (National Security Agency), leaked thousands of classified documents exposing global surveillance programs. These programs collected data from billions of people worldwide, including phone calls, emails, and internet activity. Snowden argued that this level of surveillance violated privacy rights and democratic values. His leaks triggered global debates on privacy, cybersecurity, and government overreach, leading to some reforms like the USA Freedom Act. However, Snowden’s actions also caused diplomatic tension and security concerns. He sought asylum in Russia and remains there to avoid prosecution in the U.S. He stated, “I carefully evaluated each document I disclosed to ensure that each was legitimately in the public interest. There are all sorts of documents that would have made a big impact that I didn’t turn over because harming people wasn't my goal. Transparency was.”

Since I have started my presentation the NSA has gathered over 60 terabytes of data for review, that is over 10,000 two hour long movies.

Many whistleblowers act out of ethical duty, like Ellsberg and Snowden, while others, like Teixeira, may lack clear moral intentions.

 

Thank you"

EOTO, Information Learned from a Classmate

 Sometimes, a simple classroom presentation can completely change the way you think about everyday things. This week, I learned about two incredible inventions that seemed so different—paper and Bluetooth—but both have reshaped how we connect, learn, and live. Thanks to a couple of interesting presentations from classmates, I got a deeper look into how these inventions evolved and why they matter today.

It all started with a presentation about the invention of paper, which honestly felt like something I knew very little about beyond "paper’s been around forever." Turns out, it was invented in 105 AD by Cai Lun in ancient China, using materials like hemp fibers, old fishing nets, and reeds. He was actually trying to find a more affordable and accessible alternative to silk, which is what people were using for writing before. Paper became this revolutionary way to share knowledge—think government documents, sacred texts, and everyday letters. It was how people shared what they knew with future generations.

Later on, in 1440, Gutenberg’s printing press took things up a notch. I hadn’t realized that his use of metal instead of wood for the press made it so much more efficient. Suddenly, you could mass-produce books and spread information faster than ever. And by the 1800s, paper production was automated, with the first paper mill in North America established in 1690 and then the invention of the paper-making machine in England in 1840.

It was cool to think about how paper started as this sacred thing, a keeper of important ideas and knowledge, and now it’s also found in disposable goods like napkins and tissues. This shift was another eye-opener, especially when my classmate brought up the environmental impacts. With so much paper ending up as waste, recycling has become more important than ever. It made me think about the everyday things I throw away and how each item has a history and an environmental footprint.

Bluetooth has become part of our lives in so many ways. With wireless headphones, we get great audio quality without any annoying cables. My classmate mentioned how Bluetooth even helps with accessibility, like through hearing aids or Apple Watches, where it allows for hands-free calling, navigation, and music streaming. It’s also in smart home devices that let you control lights or lock doors remotely.

It’s crazy to think that something as ancient as Nordic symbols and as new as Bluetooth technology are linked. Just like paper evolved from preserving sacred knowledge to being used in packaging, Bluetooth went from a simple wireless connection to something that manages our lives—from music to safety alerts to home automation.

These presentations made me realize how much our inventions evolve and adapt to meet new needs. Paper, once a sacred carrier of information, now shows up everywhere in our daily lives, sometimes as disposable waste. And Bluetooth, originally created for short-range wireless communication, has developed into a tool that brings convenience and connectivity to almost every device we own.

Privacy, Online & Off

The speakers in each TED Talk discuss how vital it is to recognize how social media is invading our privacy. Many of us use social media as a lifeline and do not fully recognize the negative impacts of using our favorite apps. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and so many more all breach our privacy and make it easy for us to be exploited. 

In today's age, we are desensitized to how truly invasive technology is. We use our Face ID or fingerprint to log into our phones, where we then log into apps that ask for our numbers, birthdays, and other forms of identification that are 'promised' to not be shared with the world. Hackers steal accounts and unlock the private information we entrust into the app.

A TED Talk that really spoke to me was Juan Enriquez. Tattoos are permanent. It is a fact that we all know to be true. So, how does that relate to technology? Well, our social media stores every post, like, or comment that we make, which allows employers to learn what they need to know about you before they meet you. This can also be true for face identification. Your face can automatically be identified from a post, which can lead people to find information such as your address or voting records before they have met you in person. It is a comprehensible way to understand how public and permanent your information truly is. 

These issues affect me and my family because we are all active on social media and I think we could be a little more cautious with our digital footprint. It is easy to overlook how much information we give into our cellphones and I think it is important to become educated on the negative effects.

While most of the companies taking our information and violating our privacy are privately owned, the government could strengthen privacy laws, forcing these companies to protect their consumers. I also believe the government should allow people to access their personal data through a series of questions to confirm identity. If it is our information out for all to see, we should be the ones to shut it down as well.

People need to learn how to protect themselves. We can take charge by setting strong passwords and enabling two-step verification, much like how Google operates. This means it is harder to get into the app you plan on using, and a hacker couldn't easily guess your login information. We could also adjust privacy settings, so fewer people can see our page or simply limit the information we share online. If it truly is an issue that someone cannot keep vital information about their private life to themselves and it is causing harm to their personal life, it could be a great alternative to just stop social media use altogether. 

EOTO Comm Tech Timeline

 "Hey Guys!

So I wanted to focus on two apps that most of us use daily, well we at least use Instagram daily and I will dive more into that throughout my slide. 

 

In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg was only a sophomore in college at Harvard when he created TheFacebook with his friends Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, which is crazy when I put it into perspective because I am a sophomore, and I could not even fathom developing a well-known app. Originally it was supposed to just be a form of communication for Harvard students, much like how we use YikYak or Fizz. Eventually, the title TheFacebook and it became what we now know as Facebook.

 

Mark Zuckerberg

But here’s the thing it quickly became super popular, and within a year or so, it expanded to other universities and went public. Now, it is one of the biggest social media platforms worldwide, which is crazy considering it started as a college project.

 

So, how did it change our world? Facebook allowed people to communicate globally instantly with messages and pictures in a way they never could before. It also opened up a new business communication door as companies promote via Facebook through algorithms. 

 

But as cool as all this sounds and it was for the time, there are definitely some downsides. Privacy became a huge issue, especially after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where it turned out user data was being used for political campaigns. And studies have shown that spending too much time on Facebook can lead to anxiety, loneliness, and even make us feel ‘less than.’ So while it connected us, it also brought new problems."

 

Now, let's talk about Instagram, which was launched in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. I look at Instagram as Facebook’s little sibling, as it foundationally has the same uses but then became what we know as Instagram today. The founders saw how popular sharing photos was amongst people, but they wanted an easier way to enhance photos instead of resources such as Photoshop. So, Instagram is a super easy way to take a picture, slap on a filter, and then share it for friends and family to see. This created a whole new form of communication that wasn’t so business or written-centered, people could share their life via images.

Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger

 

I also found that the name “Instagram” came from the terms “instant camera’ and “telegram.” 

 

Within just a few years, it became the go-to app for visual content, and it totally changed how we communicate. Instead of long posts or messages, people started sharing photos and stories as a way to connect. And it’s not just personal—Instagram made it possible for people to become influencers, start brands, and even run full businesses."

 

Instagram’s impact on communication has been huge. It shifted us to a more visual way of expressing ourselves. Instead of telling people what’s going on in our lives, we can show them. It’s also given rise to the whole influencer culture, where people can build a following and make careers out of their online presence.

 

But, again, it’s not all perfect. Studies have shown that Instagram can contribute to a ‘comparison culture’ you know as many of us do, scrolling through picture-perfect lives can make us feel like we’re not measuring up. And focusing on likes and followers can sometimes make it feel less about connection and more about competition."

The Eight Freedoms of Speech

The First Amendment safeguards eight core Freedoms of Expression which include: 1. Marketplace of Ideas, 2. Participation in Self-Government, 3. Stable Change, 4. Individual Self-Fulfillment, 5. Check on Governmental Power, 6. Promote Tolerance, 7. Promote Innovation, and 8. Protect Dissent. Together, these freedoms ensure citizens can express themselves within certain boundaries. Among them, “Promote Tolerance” and “Stable Change” particularly stand out to me because they complement each other and play an essential role in maintaining a cohesive society.

 It is important for American Citizens to recognize and have the ability to identify and define these freedoms because understanding these freedoms enables Americans to appreciate the values that uphold democracy, individual rights, and social progress. When people can identify and define these freedoms, they’re better equipped to defend their rights and contribute to a society where everyone has a voice.

“Promote Tolerance” centers on cultivating respect for diverse perspectives and understanding the impact of words on others. From a young age, we ideally learn to recognize what is appropriate to say and how to communicate constructively. 

An example that highlights this freedom’s importance is the 2021 incident involving American radio host Joe Rogan. Rogan faced intense backlash after making comments about COVID-19 and vaccines on his podcast, sparking national debate and concern. His remarks prompted discussions about responsible speech and the spread of misinformation. In response, Rogan apologized and acknowledged the harm his statements might have caused, stating, “I’m not a doctor; I’m not a respected source of information.” This situation underscores how tolerance and responsibility in communication are essential, especially for influential figures whose words can significantly impact public opinion.

The other freedom I find essential is “Check on Governmental Power.” This is important because our entire system of government is monitored by a system of checks and balances, this is upheld by the Constitution. This freedom lets citizens and the media openly question and criticize the government, helping to prevent misuse of power. By using this right, Americans hold leaders accountable, making sure they act in the public’s best interest. When people understand and use this freedom, it keeps the government transparent and responsible to everyone. Without checks on government power, the government could simply become too strong and overthrow America's democracy. I appreciate the fact

In summary, understanding the eight Freedoms of Expression is essential for Americans because each one supports a core part of democratic life. From promoting open debate to encouraging tolerance and innovation, these freedoms empower individuals and protect society from the abuse of power. 

Recognizing and valuing each freedom enables citizens to exercise their rights thoughtfully and responsibly, contributing to a more just, open, and resilient society. Together, these freedoms form the backbone of our democracy, ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard and respected. I was excited to learn about this topic and apply it to my daily life with things such as the Joe Rogan scandal. It is interesting to see how often we exercise our rights and take advantage of what we were set up with and we do not even realize it.