EOTO - Carrier Pigeons

 

• History: Who invented your technology? What were the circumstances? What problem were they trying to solve with their invention? 

• In the 5th century BC the first network of pigeon messengers is thought to have been established in Assyria and Persia by Cyrus the Great. In 2000 BC they were carrying messages to warring groups in Mesopotamia. Carrier pigeons at the time, was a generational way of communication. Before the use of carrier pigeons, people used a variety of methods to communicate over long distances. For example, smoke signals, and balloon mail which was transporting mail using helium or hydrogen filled balloons.

• Pigeons were used to communicate in many ways, from war, commerce, and navigation in the early 1800s. Messenger pigeons were used to solve the ongoing problem of long-distance communication. This invention at the time was the quickest and most accurate way of delivering messages across distant settlements/tribes. Messenger pigeons were trained to fly back to their home lofts from various locations, which allowed people to send messages across distances without relying on slower and less dependable methods like foot messengers or early postal systems.

• These pigeons were especially valuable in times of war, when quick communication could be crucial. They could carry messages tied to their legs, and because they have an homing ability, they could reliably return to their home base even if they were released from a different location. This made them an effective means of communication before the invention of modern telecommunication technologies.

• History of Carrier Pigeons
  

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• Impact: How did the invention change our world? What problems did it solve? How did it change communication? Did it have any negative effects?

• Messenger pigeons were lifesavers, especially during wartime. For example, during World War I and II, pigeons flew crucial messages across enemy lines when other communication methods were too risky or broken. I came across a story about a French pigeon named Cher Ami which means "dear friend", who despite being injured, delivered a message that saved nearly 200 soldiers. These pigeons often made the difference between life and death when other options failed.

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• Learn More About Cher Ami

• Pigeons were incredibly reliable when it came to sending messages. They have this amazing homing instinct, so they could fly back to their "home base" from far places with pretty much guaranteed accuracy. In a time before high-tech gadgets, they were a go-to for making sure important messages got through, especially in urgent situations.

• The cool thing about messenger pigeons was how versatile they were. You could use them in pretty much any setting, whether you were out in the country, in a war trench, or even on a ship. Unlike wired communication.  

• Even though messenger pigeons have many great benefit there were a few drawbacks. One being that they had a limited range, if a message needed to be sent an extremely long distance, people had to resort to relay systems which could be very inefficient. Second, like any living creatures, pigeons were susceptible to diseases and health issues. Outbreaks of diseases could eliminate pigeon populations, cutting communication. Finally, training pigeons to deliver messages accurately required time and expertise. There were always risks of pigeons not performing as expected, either due to little training or weird behavior. Miscommunications could also occur if pigeons became disoriented and lost their way home.

            

Eight Values of Free Expression - Blog 3

 

Marketplace of Ideas 

 This theory stood out to me the most because the name doesn't fit the description. The Marketplace of Ideas theory is explained as, "when truth and falsehood are allowed to freely grapple, truth will win out." This resonated with me because I am a person who highly values the truth, and giving people the truth. I believe in "good things happen to good people" and by doing the right thing, like telling the truth, even if you don't get rewarded for telling the truth in that exact moment. I truly believe good karma will follow you. In the end, when the truth is revealed over the lie, it makes the truth that much more powerful/meaningful. I feel that this theory is the most important in today's society because everyday, people question what is said on social media, news stations, political rallies, and you never know what is truly real or fake. An example of this theory can be seen in the ongoing debate about free speech and censorship on social media platforms. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit host a vast array of opinions and discussions on various topics, from political issues to social justice. 

Free Speech on Social Media This link provides an article that further dives into the debate about free speech and what you can and can't say on social media. 

Individual Self Fulfillment

The concept of individual self fulfillment is extremely important in todays society because it allows individuals to express their own beliefs and values which in return boosts that individuals confidence in their own opinion/beliefs. An example of this can be seen all across social media platforms because it gives people a place to freely share their thoughts and communicate with others of similar or opposing beliefs. A specific example could be the LGBTQ community using these platforms to spread their views, build communities of like minded people, and raise awareness. I believe social media has grown a lot in this area of self fulfillment because in all honesty, many people like to hind their opinion behind a screen. By using social media to find people who think like them, this gives these people a sense of power and belonging, even though SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT REAL INTERACTION! I completely understand feeling less isolated on the internet but nowadays everyone fights behind phones screens, and people speak in completely different ways online, rather than being face to face, and dealing with arguments/debates head on. 

Promote Tolerance

Why we need free speech

Free speech in America has taught out country to be immune to normally threatening/offensive speech, and build a more open and understanding society. Everyday on social media politicians, news anchors, and internet personalities are being bashed and critiqued on everything they say. Although it seems ironic, protecting hate speech forces us to deal with opposing opinions, which in return creates "society norms" on what is okay and not okay to say. Social media is a place where all sorts of opinions are shared, and platforms where people express their views openly offer a chance for people to talk and learn from others. For instance, when hate speech appears online, it frequently starts conversations about why it is wrong and needs to be punished. This kind of discussion promotes tolerance and helps in our understanding of various points of opinion.

Supreme Court

 

• What did you learn about the Supreme Court that you didn't already know?

• I learned many new things about the Supreme Court from watching these videos. Starting with part 1, I learned that Justices serve extremely long terms, typically 16 years or more, and also, that cases reach the Supreme Court through written petitions, with the justices addressing a wide range of issues from wrongful convictions to presidential issues. The court gets around 7,000 petitions annually but only look into around 100. The more interesting part of the video to me was learning about the role of the Supreme Court and its Justices. The video gave many examples of early Supreme Court cases vs the Government, such as the Dred Scott decision by Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney. This case weakened the court's authority by saying Congress couldn't ban slavery. This resulted in the Civil War and new amendments being created to protect African Americans. Post civil war amendments abolished slavery, defined what citizenship was, and gave voting rights.

• What is the most important take-away point about the Supreme Court?

• My biggest takeaway about the Supreme Court from Justice Breyer’s talk is that it’s actually pretty transparent despite what people might think. He points out that the Court is open in a lot of ways, especially through its public hearings and how it handles verbal arguments. Even though the justices can't just jump into issues on their own and have to wait for cases to come to them, the way they operate makes their process pretty clear. For example they hold public debates, which helps show that the Court isn't all secretive and hidden from the public eye.

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  What was the most surprising thing you learned?

• What really surprised me was learning about how the Supreme Court's role has evolved over time. For instance, back in the early 1800s, John Marshall’s decision to strike down congressional acts as unconstitutional was a huge move that established the Court as a major branch of government. This historical shift was eye opening because it shows how the Supreme Court has grown into such a powerful and influential part of the U.S. government. 

• How did the video change the way you thought of the Supreme Court?

• The video definitely shifted how I view the Supreme Court. I used to think of it as this secretive institution, but learning about its processes made me change my mind. For example, I was surprised to see how public and detailed their verbal arguments are, and how much effort goes into their decision-making. The idea that justices have these intense discussions and make decisions based on both historical and current issues really changed my perspective. This shows that the Court actively adapts to changes in society. Overall, it made me see the Court as a much more adapting and influential part of our government.

What are my top 5 sources of news?

Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has evolved far beyond its original purpose of sharing photos with friends. It has become a reliable global news source. Personally, I get a significant amount of my news from Instagram because of its ability to deliver real-time, easily shareable updates. I also appreciate the way news is presented on Instagram. Content is typically concise and engaging, as creators focus on making short, visually appealing posts to keep their audience interested.

One source I follow closely is @TheNewYorkTimes NYTIMES. They offer up to date breaking news through a variety of formats, including short videos, articles, and animations, creating an engaging news experience for their audience. 

I’ve been watching NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt for years, not out of choice, but because my parents always have it on while I’m home from school. Even though it’s on in the background, I do pick up some information from the broadcasts. The show primarily covers government and politics, breaking news, and the economy/business.

I often joke with my parents that only "old people" watch TV news, but I've grown to appreciate it. What I like about NBC is that I trust the content to be reliable, which means I don't need to search for additional information after watching. In contrast, when I come across news stories on social media, I often have to click through multiple links to get a fuller picture of the topic.

I don't rely on TikTok as a primary news source, but it's hard to avoid the political content that often goes viral on the platform. Many of the political videos I encounter feature individuals from opposing parties engaging in confrontational Q&A sessions at each other’s rallies, often with the goal of discrediting or embarrassing the other side. Despite this, TikTok does offer a glimpse into diverse opinions and trending stories, and the comment sections provide a space for discussion. Though these conversations frequently stem into heated debates rather than constructive conversations.

Example Video

Another aspect of TikTok’s news content that interests me is my own passion for content creation. As someone who produces social media content professionally, I appreciate the skill and effort that go into crafting high-quality videos. This appreciation for well-made content enhances my engagement with TikTok’s news-related posts.

From reviewing previous students' posts, it’s clear that word of mouth is a prevalent theme across many blogs. I can relate to this, as I also rely heavily on friends and family for my news. My parents often discuss current events at the dinner table and make a point to keep me informed about what's happening in the world. Living in America, it's easy to become focused on domestic issues and overlook significant global events that don't directly impact us. I believe staying informed about international news is crucial for a well-rounded perspective. Additionally, I have the unique experience of growing up in a politically divided household, which allowed me to develop my own political views independently, free from parental bias.

I saved X (formerly known as Twitter) for last because I'm relatively new to the platform. I started using X after it rebranded from Twitter, and I've found that it provides a significant amount of political and global news compared to other social media sites. This is likely due to the platform's algorithm, which tailors content based on your interests. Since my initial searches were focused on political news, my feed is now predominantly filled with political updates.

Many reputable news organizations and journalists use X to share their content. For instance, maggieNYT is renowned for her in-depth reporting on U.S. politics, particularly regarding the Trump campaign. While X is an excellent resource for political news, it shares a common trait with TikTok in that interactions between opposing viewpoints can often be heated and less civil.