24 Matching Annotations
  1. Mar 2025
  2. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Alex Blechman [@AlexBlechman]. Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi novel Don't Create The Torment Nexus. November 2021. URL: https://twitter.com/AlexBlechman/status/1457842724128833538

      Alex Blechman is pointing the tension between innovation and ethics in technology, where the creation of a "Torment Nexus" by the tech company reflects a failure to heed cautionary lessons from science fiction about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. It underscores the importance of ethical coding and responsible design to avoid harmful societal impacts.

    1. Confucianism Taoism Virtue Ethics Aztec Virtue Ethics Natural Rights Consequentialism Deontology Ethics of Care Ubuntu American Indigenous Ethics Divine Command Theory Egoism Existentialism Nihilism

      During this quarter, ethical theories like Confucianism and Taoism could emphasize user well-being, balance, and harmony in technology design, while Virtue Ethics and Deontology would stress integrity, transparency, and adherence to rules. Consequentialism, Ethics of Care, and Ubuntu would focus on the impact on society, collective good, and empathetic design, while theories like Egoism, Existentialism, and Nihilism may lead to debates on individualism, freedom, and the meaning of technology's role in life.

  3. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. The Last Samurai. December 2023. Page Version ID: 1188563405. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Last_Samurai&oldid=1188563405 (visited on 2023-12-10).

      I think The Last Samurai reflects colonialist themes through its portrayal of a white character, Nathan Algren, who becomes the savior of Japan's traditional samurai culture. By positioning Algren as the central figure in the narrative, it reinforces the notion that non-Western cultures need to be "saved" by Western intervention. This reinforces the subtle dynamics of colonialism, where the West is depicted as the civilizing force in non-Western societies.

    1. “White Saviors” [t6]# Sometimes colonialism is a little bit more subtle. For example, the term “White Savior” is a sarcastic term for white people being seen as liberating or rescuing “helpless” non-white people. This is common in TV and movies (see the TVTropes entries on Mighty Whitey [t7], and White Man’s Burden [t8]). For example, consider movies like James Cameron’s Avatar movies, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samuri (starring the Tom Cruise), The Blind Side, The Help, La La Land (where a white man is trying to save “real” Jazz music [t9]), etc.

      I think the concept of "White Savior" is an important critique of how colonialism and racial dynamics are often portrayed in media, particularly in movies. By highlighting how white characters are positioned as the ones to "save" or "rescue" non-white people, it points out the subtle, yet pervasive, nature of racial stereotypes in popular culture. This critique challenges the often oversimplified narrative of white heroism, urging viewers to recognize the deeper power imbalances and the harmful implications of such portrayals.

  4. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Adam Barone. What Is a Fiduciary Duty? Examples and Types Explained. Investopedia, April 2022. URL: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042915/what-are-some-examples-fiduciary-duty.asp (visited on 2023-12-10).

      I think the article on fiduciary duty provides a clear and concise explanation of what fiduciary duty is and its importance in various legal and financial relationships. By breaking down examples and types, it helps readers understand the responsibilities and ethical obligations that fiduciaries have toward their clients or beneficiaries. The fact that it's reviewed and fact-checked by experts adds credibility, making it a useful resource for those looking to learn about fiduciary duty in different contexts.

    1. So, looking back at Meta’s goal (getting the most users possible to use Meta, and only Meta for social media), let’s look at some obstacles and how Meta tries to overcome these obstacles: Obstacle: Users don’t want ads on Facebook Solution: No ads until Facebook has attracted enough users (network power) so that users won’t leave when ads are introduced (Facebook introduced ads in 2007) Obstacle: People speak different languages Solution: Increase language support of Facebook so more people can use the site Obstacle: Not everyone has the internet Solution: Give them free internet [s45], but push them to Facebook while doing so (called Free Basic [s46]) Obstacle: A competing company social media company has a user base (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat [s47]) Solution: Try to purchase the company, or copy their features

      These Meta's goal is to strategy focuses on overcoming obstacles to growth by initially attracting users with a user-friendly, ad-free platform, expanding language support to cater to global audiences, and offering free internet access through initiatives like Free Basics. To deal with competition, Meta has either acquired rival platforms or copied popular features from them. These tactics reflect Meta's goal of maintaining dominance by ensuring users stay within its ecosystem, even as challenges arise.

  5. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Trauma and Shame. URL: https://www.oohctoolbox.org.au/trauma-and-shame (visited on 2023-12-10).

      This article is about the difference between shame experienced in healthy development and the toxic shame resulting from trauma and abuse. While healthy shame helps children learn emotional regulation through supportive caregiving, children exposed to trauma often face overwhelming, unprocessed shame that becomes part of their core identity. This toxic shame leads to emotional struggles, defensiveness, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships.

    1. Proportionality: The negative consequences of shaming someone should not be worse than the positive consequences Necessity: There must not be another more effective method of achieving the goal Respect for Privacy: There must not be unnecessary violations of privacy Non-Abusiveness: The shaming must not use abusive tactics. Reintegration “Public shaming must aim at, and make possible, the reintegration of the norm violator back into the community, rather than permanently stigmatizing them.”

      These principles guide the ethical use of public shaming by ensuring that the response is proportionate, necessary, non-abusive, and respects privacy. Is the punishment balanced with the harm caused? Does the approach allow for the individual’s reintegration and growth, rather than permanent stigma?

  6. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Dogpiling (Internet). November 2023. Page Version ID: 1187471785. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dogpiling_(Internet)&oldid=1187471785 (visited on 2023-12-10).

      The article on Wikipedia, "Dogpiling (Internet)" is telling a focus on how online communities often engage in collective harassment or criticism of an individual or group. The term "dogpiling" describes a situation where many people simultaneously attack or criticize someone, which can be amplified by the internet’s rapid spread of information. This article also tells the negative impact of online mob behavior and the challenges of managing digital spaces where such behavior can escalate quickly.

    1. Historically of course, different demographic groups have been subject to harassment or violence, such as women, LGBTA+ people, and Black people (e.g., the FBI trying to convince Martin Luther King Jr. to commit suicide [q10]).

      how the harassment campaign against Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was partly driven by racism, particularly due to Meghan's Black heritage, amplified by both social media and the British press. It emphasizes the role of technology and media in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination.

  7. Feb 2025
  8. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Crowdsourcing. December 2023. Page Version ID: 1188348631. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crowdsourcing&oldid=1188348631#Historical_examples (visited on 2023-12-08).

      In Wikipedia, description of Crowdsourcing has revolutionized how we access and share knowledge, as it allows people from all over the world to contribute their expertise and collaborate on a massive scale. This collective effort has created a vast, continuously updated resource. However, it also comes with challenges, such as the potential for biased editing, misinformation, and vandalism. These issues highlight the importance of maintaining rigorous moderation, fact-checking, and community guidelines to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content shared.

    1. 16.3.4. Crowd harassment# Social media crowdsoucing can also be used for harassment, which we’ll look at more in the next couple chapters. But for some examples: the case of Justine Sacco involved crowdsourcing to identify and track her flight, and even get a photo of her turning on her phone.

      Crowd harassment on social media, like what happened to Justine Sacco, shows how quickly a simple mistake can turn into a public shaming with real-life consequences. It raises important questions about privacy, fairness, and the emotional toll that online mobs can have on people.

  9. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. ShiningConcepts. r/TheoryOfReddit: reddit is valued at more than ten billion dollars, yet it is extremely dependent on mods who work for absolutely nothing. Should they be paid, and does this lead to power-tripping mods? November 2021. URL: www.reddit.com/r/TheoryOfReddit/comments/qrjwjw/reddit_is_valued_at_more_than_ten_billion_dollars/ (visited on 2023-12-08).

      This E-textbook "Social Media, Ethics, and Automation" is a fascinating dive into how automation impacts our social media experiences, from viral trends to harassment. It balances teaching programming skills with a thoughtful look at the ethical side of creating bots, helping readers understand the influence of automation while encouraging them to think critically about how it shapes our online world.

    1. Reflection Question:# What is your take on the ethical trade-offs of unpaid Reddit moderators? What do you think Reddit should do?

      I think unpaid Reddit moderators carry a huge responsibility, working to keep communities safe and ensuring content follows the rules, all without pay. Also, this can lead to burnout, especially when dealing with tough users and harmful content, so Reddit should step up, offering support and compensation to recognize their hard work and help them create a safer, more welcoming platform for everyone.

  10. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Anil Dash. Against “Don’t Read the Comments”. Humane Tech, January 2016. URL: https://medium.com/humane-tech/against-don-t-read-the-comments-aee43ce515b9 (visited on 2023-12-08).

      This article, the Anil Dash's piece takes aim at the familiar phrase "Don’t read the comments," pointing out how it’s become a way to shrug off the real problem of online abuse. He stresses that, rather than accepting harassment as a given, we should demand that platform owners step up and make online spaces safer for everyone.

    1. Social media sites also might run into legal concerns with allowing some content to be left up on their sites, such as copyrighted material (like movie clips) or child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

      I feel social media is most required following legal concerns for all the social media users and developers because this method (Social media) has both useful and danger of pros and cons

  11. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Anya Kamenetz. Facebook's own data is not as conclusive as you think about teens and mental health. NPR, October 2021. URL: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/06/1043138622/facebook-instagram-teens-mental-health (visited on 2023-12-08).

      This article discusses about how Facebook's internal data on teen mental health isn’t as straightforward as some might think. It raises important questions about how social media affects young people and whether platforms are doing enough to address potential harm. Rather than jumping to conclusions, it’s crucial to push for more transparency, independent research, and responsible tech policies that genuinely prioritize teen well-being.

    1. While there are healthy ways of sharing difficult emotions and experiences (see the next section), when these difficult emotions and experiences are thrown at unsuspecting and unwilling audiences, that is called trauma dumping [m11]. Social media can make trauma dumping easier. For example, with parasocial relationships, you might feel like the celebrity is your friend who wants to hear your trauma. And with context collapse, where audiences are combined, how would you share your trauma with an appropriate audience and not an inappropriate one (e.g., if you re-post something and talk about how it reminds you of your trauma, are you dumping it on the original poster?).

      Trauma dumping can be overwhelming for both the sharer and the listener. While expressing emotions is important, oversharing in the wrong space especially online can create discomfort. Finding the right time, place, and audience helps ensure support without unintended harm.

  12. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Evolution of cetaceans. November 2023. Page Version ID: 1186568602. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Evolution_of_cetaceans&oldid=1186568602 (visited on 2023-12-08).

      This article (wikipedia) is interesting that about Evolution of cetaceans also it’s amazing to think that whales and dolphins started out as land animals related to hippos around 50 million years ago. Over time, they adapted to life in the ocean but still kept mammal traits like breathing air and nursing their young. The way they evolved into two groups baleen whales and toothed whales, with some even developing echolocation is just mind-blowing.

    1. Biological evolution is how living things change, generation after generation, and how all the different forms of life, from humans to bacteria, came to be.

      I think "Biological evolution is how life gradually changes over generations, shaping everything from tiny bacteria to humans." are important because it’s a process of adaptation, where species evolve to survive in their environments. Over millions of years, this is how the incredible variety of life on Earth came to be.

  13. social-media-ethics-automation.github.io social-media-ethics-automation.github.io
    1. Elon Musk [@elonmusk]. Trashing accounts that you hate will cause our algorithm to show you more of those accounts, as it is keying off of your interactions. Basically saying if you love trashing *that* account, then you will probably also love trashing *this* account. Not actually wrong lol. January 2023. URL: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1615194151737520128 (visited on 2023-12-07).

      I think this Elon Musk's tweet is interesting because I kind of agree that if you keep trashing accounts you hate, the algorithm thinks you enjoy engaging with them and will show you more. It’s a bit ironic—like the internet version of "if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all." Sometimes, the best way to make something disappear from your feed is to just ignore it.

    1. Individual analysis focuses on the behavior, bias, and responsibility an individual has, while systemic analysis focuses on the how organizations and rules may have their own behaviors, biases, and responsibility that aren’t necessarily connected to what any individual inside intends.

      I think both of analysis is important because when we look at issues individually, we focus on a person’s choices, biases, and responsibilities. But when we take a step back, we see that systems—like workplaces, laws, or traditions—can have their own patterns of bias and impact, even if no one person intends harm. Recognizing both perspectives helps us understand the bigger picture and work toward real change.

  14. Jan 2025
    1. Something is right or wrong because God(s) said so.

      I disagree with idea of Divine Command Theory because morality should be based on reasoning and empathy, not just divine commands. Different religions interpret God's will differently, and ethical decisions often require context and understanding beyond just following a decree.

    1. What do you think is the responsibility of tech workers to think through the ethical implications of what they are making?

      I think that tech workers must believe that they should pay attention to and take responsibility for eliminating potential privacy issues and various cybercrime risks that could arise in an environment of anonymity or online.