Things I learned about propaganda
Issues Raised in the videos
Online media has become a huge part of our lives over the past century. With the rise of social media, blogs, and video-sharing websites, it has changed the way people communicate, share ideas, and interact with the world. Anyone with a device can now create and share content, which has made it easier for people to promote brands, political candidates, and personal ideas. Although online media has many benefits, it also brings some challenges that affect its users and society in general.
Mobile phones, especially smartphones, spread quickly because of how useful and convenient they were. According to Diffusion Theory, new ideas or technologies spread through different groups of people: innovators, early adopters, the majority, and those who are slow to catch on. Mobile phones became popular because they made communication easier and more accessible. As technology improved and became cheaper, more people jumped on the bandwagon, starting with those who loved new gadgets and then spreading to the wider population. Early adopters are the first to get their hands on new tech because they like being ahead of the curve and enjoy the social status it brings. As more people saw how useful phones could be, the majority started using them, and slowly, the laggards, or those who resisted change, also gave in. But not everyone is into new tech. You might choose not to use social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram because you don’t see the value, or you’re worried about privacy or the negative effects on your mental health. This is common for people who are more cautious about technology, preferring to avoid the potential downsides. When thinking about whether to adopt new technology, there’s a cost-benefit analysis. Social media offers some perks, like staying in touch with friends and keeping up with trends, but it also has downsides like privacy issues or addiction. For some, the negatives may outweigh the positives, and that’s why they choose not to use it.
People often find themselves turning to smaller, lesser-known websites to hear strong antiwar voices because of how much the media landscape has evolved over time. In today’s world, there are countless ways to access information, thanks to the rise of digital media and social platforms. However, the majority of mainstream media outlets in the U.S. are owned by large corporations, and many of these corporations have deep financial connections to defense contractors or other industries that benefit from military operations. This creates a conflict of interest that can affect the type of reporting and opinions that get amplified in these major media channels. The focus of mainstream outlets often centers on promoting narratives that align with the interests of powerful groups, including military and corporate elites. This can mean that coverage of war and military interventions tends to favor the justification for these actions, rather than questioning their morality, cost, or long-term consequences. As a result, antiwar perspectives—whether from the left or right—often struggle to find a place in mainstream discussions. On the other hand, smaller websites critical views that focus on the negative impacts of military operations. These sites provide an alternative space where voices that challenge the status quo on war can be heard. They often have fewer corporate or political ties and aren't as beholden to the powerful interests that dominate mainstream media. Because of this, those looking for different viewpoints on war, foreign policy, and military intervention may need to look beyond the mainstream media to find alternative voices and insights. This shift in how we consume news has made it necessary to seek out independent sources to hear voices critical of war.
A tehcnology I learned from someone else (Bluetooth)
History and workings of the U.S. Supreme Court
- How they were composed of nine justices
- The case selection process (how they select what cases they want and believe are worthwhile)
- Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the Court
- The video changed the way I thought of the supreme court by giving me a deeper insight of the actual process that things go through and how there are different levels to everything
