Blog Post 6: EOTO 2 The Spiral of Silence

In 1974, German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann introduced the Spiral of Silence Theory in her paper The Spiral of Silence: A Theory of Public Opinion, published in the Journal of Communication. A decade later, she expanded on this theory in her book The Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion—Our Social Skin. This theory suggests that people are less likely to express their opinions if they believe they are in the minority, mainly due to a fear of social isolation.

The Spiral of Silence is still very important today, especially in an era where social media, politics, and workplace culture influence how people participate in public conversation. Understanding this notion might help us navigate society's discourse more efficiently and identify when significant voices are silenced. This is especially important in digital contexts, where algorithms frequently promote prevailing viewpoints while suppressing dissenting opinions.

Positive implications

1. Promotes social cohesion and stability: The Spiral of Silence can prevent extreme or harmful views from dominating public discussions, fostering civility and reinforcing shared values. In workplaces, schools, and governments, this creates an environment where social unity and cooperation are prioritized. In some cases, this can contribute to a more peaceful society by discouraging hate speech and misinformation. 

2. Encourages conformity to positive social norms: The Spiral of Silence can push society towards more ethical and inclusive norms by discouraging outdated or discriminatory opinions. For example, racist, sexist, or homophobic remarks that might have been socially accepted in the past are now met with disapproval, reinforcing a shift toward greater equality and respect.

Negative implications

1. Silences critical discussions: When individuals hesitate to express their views, certain narratives are overlooked, reinforcing existing power structures. This can limit political, economic, and social discussions, preventing society from addressing critical problems. For example, employees may fear speaking out about workplace discrimination, allowing a toxic culture to persist.

2. Creates echo chambers and polarization: People often express their opinions only in spaces where they feel safe and supported, leading to the rise of echo chambers. This means individuals only hear perspectives that align with their existing beliefs, making society more politically and socially divided.

Effects of the Spiral of Silence

The Spiral of Silence does not affect all groups equally, as characteristics such as socioeconomic standing, age, gender, and race influence who feels free to speak their ideas. The wealthy have greater platforms and power, whereas the impoverished may remain mute due to their limited access to media and resources. Younger generations frequently challenge norms, but the fear of internet retribution can prevent them from speaking up. Historically, men have had more freedom to express themselves, but women have been more scrutinized and faced professional hazards. Similarly, minority groups may be nervous to speak up about systemic hardships, while the majority frequently dominate discussions without comprehending their implications. Understanding this notion is vital to me both emotionally and professionally. It enables me to think more critically about public debates, speak more effectively, and prepare for a future profession in marketing or communications, where it is crucial to generate messages that include and connect with a variety of people.

It is possible to break the Spiral of Silence and challenge the cycle by encouraging open dialogue, promoting media literacy and critical thinking, and creating safe spaces for diverse opinions. By recognizing when public opinion suppresses necessary conversations, we can actively work towards a society where all voices are valued and heard. 

Blog post 5: Living in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping society in ways that many struggle to fully understand. After watching Frontline PBS: Living in the Age of AI, I gained a clearer perspective on AI's impact on national security, economic disparity, and individual privacy. A significant insight was the concept of surveillance capitalism, where private firms exploit personal data to forecast and manipulate behavior. AI transcends a mere tool; it operates as a system that learns from us, frequently without our awareness. The film presents a compelling example: China's establishment of a vast surveillance apparatus. In Xinjiang, Uighur Muslims face rigorous oversight and are incarcerated in internment camps, effectively living in an AI-driven "open-air prison." This situation raises profound ethical questions about what constitutes excessive surveillance and how to balance security with personal liberties.

Another critical point highlighted in the film is AI's role in fostering economic instability and inequality by automating jobs, favoring those who own AI technologies, and displacing workers. Furthermore, privacy issues have become increasingly urgent, especially following Facebook's data breaches that revealed how companies procure and exploit our personal information. The McTaggart initiative, designed to empower consumers with more control over their data, has garnered substantial backing. While the documentary illustrates AI's significance in national security, it underscores more concerning uses, such as China's comprehensive surveillance of its populace.

This video enlightened me to the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a technological advancement; it is a formidable force shaping economies, governance, and individual rights. Although AI presents considerable advantages like enhanced efficiency and bolstered national security, it also raises pressing questions surrounding privacy, economic equity, and moral accountability. My immediate inquiries include: Could unchecked AI exacerbate the divide between the wealthy and the working class? Should nations implement stricter privacy laws, or might this stifle innovation? To what extent should corporations control our personal data? As AI evolves, we must question whether we are influencing AI or if it is influencing us.

Blog post 4, part 2: EOTO Technology What I Learned

For this project, we researched a specific technology and presented its history and impact to the class. All my classmates' presentations were engaging and informative, but two that stood out to me the most were Reid's presentation on the phonograph and Carter's presentation on the television.

Before this project, I had little knowledge of the phonograph, but I found it fascinating to learn that Thomas Edison invented it to record and play back sound. The device worked by using a stylus to etch sound waves onto a rotating cylinder. What I found most intriguing was how revolutionary this invention was; it completely transformed how people listen to music. Today, recorded sound is an essential part of entertainment, communication, and historical preservation, all thanks to the phonograph. However, Reid also mentioned that when the phonograph was first introduced, some people were concerned about its sound quality, an issue that would later be refined with advancements in audio technology. Without this early innovation, the development of later audio formats, such as vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, and digital streaming, would not have been possible. It truly set the foundation for how we experience recorded sound today.

Similarly, I had limited knowledge of the television and how it came to be before Carter's presentation, but she explained the history and impact of it very well. She highlighted how early televisions used rotating disks to scan images, a method that produced a low-quality, flickering picture. Over time, this technology evolved into the first electronic television, which replaced mechanical components with electron beams. This advancement improved picture quality and paved the way for how modern TV is today in 2025.

Both presentations clearly explained how technology has shaped society over the years and how it has improved. The phonograph transformed our experience of sound, while television revolutionized visual storytelling and mass communication. Learning about these technologies made me appreciate how much has changed over time and prompted me to reflect on how we consume media today. These advancements not only shaped entertainment but also influenced education, news, and even social interactions, proving that technology continues to evolve and impact our daily lives in essential ways.

EOTO Com Tech Timeline : VTR and VCR

The advent of VTR and VCR signified a momentous milestone in media history, fundamentally altering our methods of content creation, consumption, and dissemination. These groundbreaking technologies revolutionized television and broadcasting, making video accessible to households and communities and fundamentally changing our interaction with and enjoyment of entertainment. A closer examination of their history reveals how these innovations addressed critical media production and distribution challenges while highlighting both the opportunities they generated and the difficulties they were presented with.

 

History

Charles Ginsburg was a key figure in video technology, leading the Ampex research team

that developed the first practical videotape recorder (VTR), which was released in 1956.

This seminal device, the Ampex VRX 1000, marked a breakthrough in recording technology

by converting video signals into FM sound, enabling them to be formatted and stored

on magnetic tape. Its design closely paralleled that of audio recording methods, effectively

linking audio and video fields. Initially, VTR technology found primary use in the broadcasting

sector, becoming indispensable for news programming, live-event documentation,

and delayed broadcasts, contributing to richer content creation. The early VTR system was

revolutionary yet expensive, costing over $100,000; thus, its usage was restricted to broadcasters

and major television stations. It replaced older techniques like kinescope recordings, where

a television screen was filmed. The VTR's ability to record and playback video directly

transformed television production, facilitating time-shifted broadcasting and significantly

enhancing the quality and efficiency of television programming. As technology advanced,

it created smaller, more economical devices, ultimately resulting in the VCR, which significantly

increased media accessibility, bridging professional production and everyday consumer use.

 

Impact

The British Film Institute's article "All About Videotape" examines the profound

impact of videotape technology, particularly VTR and VCR, on media production,

consumption, and preservation. The VTR's introduction revolutionized broadcasting by

enabling flexible recording and playback, reshaping programming schedules,

and preserving critical cultural events. With the VCR's arrival, these changes were brought into

homes, allowing individuals to record television shows and rent films, significantly altering

media consumption patterns. The affordability and portability of video technology made media

production more attainable, enabling educators, activists, and community groups to create

and disseminate content independently from major broadcasters. However,

this accessibility also introduced challenges, such as the prevalent practice of reusing videotapes,

leading to the loss of many early broadcasts and crucial historical recordings. Nonetheless,

videotape technology has fundamentally reshaped communication and influenced

society’s relationship with visual media.

 

The VTR and VCR have established a link between the history of media

production and its long-term societal impact. They transformed broadcasting, allowing individuals

to create and distribute content, thus democratizing access to visual media. Although

some cultural records were lost due to tape reuse, the overall effect lies in connecting

people, preserving history, and paving the way for advancements in digital technology.

These innovations reshaped storytelling and communication, exemplifying how we

engage with media today. Digital video recorders (DVRs) have improved time-shifted broadcasting,

enabling users to seamlessly record, pause, and rewind live television. Streaming platforms

like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have built upon this concept by providing on-demand

content libraries accessible anytime and anywhere. Cloud storage has supplanted physical

videotapes, offering endless possibilities for saving and sharing videos.

Furthermore, cell phones and social media have democratized media creation in ways that VTRs

and VCRs could only have envisioned, empowering anyone with a mobile device to produce

and share content worldwide.

 

Sources

https://ethw.org/Milestones%3AAmpex_Videotape_Recorder%2C_1956?utm_source

https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/all-about-videotape?utm_source

Blog Post 3: Eight Values of Free Expression

The Eight Values of Free Expression are principles that guide our nation in a civil manner. They provide the foundation for a democratic society where individuals can actively participate, challenge authority, and foster progress. These values uphold the ideals of truthfulness, accountability, and inclusivity, ensuring that all perspectives and opinions are acknowledged. By protecting these freedoms, society can maintain a stable environment where ideas are exchanged, creativity expands, and injustices are confronted. Without these Eight Values of Expression, we would be unable to express our thoughts, and our words would be censored or suppressed. While all Eight Values of Free Expression hold significance, two are especially important to me: stable change, individual autonomy, and self-fulfillment.

Stable Change

Stable change empowers citizens to express themselves without fear, which creates a balanced and peaceful society. This freedom creates space for organized dialogue and prevents the dangerous consequences of silencing individuals. When people don’t get to express their opinions or beliefs, violence can occur, leading to extreme measures. By allowing for free expression, stable change creates a safer, more equitable environment where progress is possible.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 exhibits stable change because it demonstrates how to achieve systemic change through peaceful activism and legislative processes. This measure maintained the integrity of democratic processes while addressing significant disparities. It ensured that minority voices, especially those of Black Americans, were heard. It emphasizes the close relationship between free expression and the freedom to vote. This resonates with me because it demonstrates how individuals and communities can work together within a solid framework to create long-term change.

This resonates with me because it shows how individuals and groups can collaborate within a solid framework to achieve long-term change.

 

Individual Autonomy and Self-Fulfillment 

One of the Eight Values of Free Expression that is the most important to me is promoting individual autonomy and self-fulfillment. Free expression allows me to share my beliefs and opinions. As a Strategic Communications major, expressing my unique ideas gives me the freedom to explore and communicate my thoughts personally and professionally. This aligns with my goals of influencing others and positively impacting society. Finding and exploring one's true self is essential for one's growth as a person.

An example of individual autonomy and self-fulfillment for me is studying abroad in Australia this May. I will immerse myself in a new culture and gain firsthand experience of how strategic communications are applied during the trip. This opportunity will help me grow both personally and professionally by stepping outside my comfort zone, broadening my global perspective, and engaging with new ideas. It will also deepen my understanding of how different cultural perspectives influence communication strategies and public engagement. Australia’s focus on community-based conservation efforts illustrates how individual actions, when communicated effectively, can lead to collective change. Studying environmental conservation efforts will enable me to explore how strategic communications can inspire public awareness and motivate sustainable behaviors within stable change.

 

    

Free expression is the foundation of diverse thoughts and viewpoints, enabling people to learn from each other and grow in ways they could not achieve alone. It allows the "vox populi," or people's voice, to shape governance and influence public discourse, ensuring that leaders are accountable to their citizens’ wants and concerns. This was especially significant during the COVID-19 pandemic when differing views on government demands such as lockdowns and vaccine requirements sparked debates regarding personal liberties versus community safety. Although contentious, these discussions underscored the critical role of free expression in balancing public health and individual liberty.

 

Blog post 2: The Supreme Court

During an 8th-grade class trip to Washington, D.C., I was introduced to the topic of the Supreme Court. While I learned about the government, I initially struggled to learn about its structure. Over time, I realized that the government operates within a framework of rules and laws, and I learned how those are applied in society. The two Supreme Court videos I watched were extremely insightful, giving an overview of the nine justices, their average sixteen-year tenure, and the demanding day-to-day responsibilities of the court.

After watching these videos, I learned more about the Supreme Court's structure and function. The court receives over a hundred petitions for certiorari each week, totaling approximately 7,000 annually. Of these, only about a hundred are chosen for full review. This selective process highlights the importance of the court's careful deliberation and focuses on cases with broad constitutional significance.

One key takeaway from the video is that the Supreme Court serves as the highest authority in the United States government. It hears cases related to the Constitution and has the power to strike down laws that are deemed unconstitutional. This ensures that all laws align with the nation's founding principles.

What surprised me most was learning about the roles of majority and minority perspectives in decision-making. The majority is a group of justices who agree on a court decision, establishing it as a binding legal precedent. However, the minority consists of judges who disagree. These dissenting judges may submit formal opinions clarifying their opposing viewpoints, though such opinions do not set legal precedents. Additionally, I was surprised to learn that only 100 justices have served throughout American history, and their life terms often extend beyond the tenure of the president who appointed them.

These videos demonstrated the Supreme Court's critical role as a liaison between the Executive, Legislative, and people. The Court's potential to change history through its decisions is both interesting and shocking. The Court promotes democracy and defends the rights of all citizens. Learning more about the Supreme Court has given me a greater appreciation for how thoroughly the judges weigh each issue and the long-term influence their rulings have on American culture.

Blog Post #1 Top 5 Sources of News and Information

    In today's fast-paced world, staying informed about the news and media is critical. Whether it's understanding world events, learning about societal issues, or simply keeping up with cultural trends, having access to current knowledge helps us make sense of things. My generation, in particular, has adopted a combination of old and digital channels for staying connected and informed. Here are my top five sites for news and information: 

1.   TikTok

TikTok is a hotspot for breaking news as well as showing people's personal beliefs and opinions. From journalists reporting on the ground to everyday people sharing first-hand experiences, TikTok provides relatable and engaging content. However, one of the biggest challenges with TikTok as a news source is the widespread presence of misinformation. To ensure you get credible news from TikTok, cross-verify information, follow trusted accounts, and be critical of trends.

2. Twitter (X)

Twitter, which has been relaunched as X, is an invaluable resource for real-time news and media updates. It's my go-to for live updates on breaking news, hot hashtags, and unedited professional opinions. This platform allows me to follow journalists, organizations, and leaders to gain multiple perspectives on the most important issues. The wide variety of different audiences on X makes it a dynamic platform where you can hear people's opinions and ideas.

3. Apple News

Apple News is highly accessible to users, as it comes pre-installed on most iPhones, making it readily available. While I don’t check Apple News daily, I do receive notifications that keep me updated on current trends. I find Apple News to be a reliable source of information because it aggregates content from a wide range of reputable publications, offering diverse perspectives on various topics. The convenience of this app makes it an essential tool for staying informed.

4. Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is a highly trustworthy and regarded news source that specializes in business, economics, and worldwide markets. Established in 1889, it has a long history of rigorous fact-checking, award-winning journalism, and perceptive analysis. The Journal's politics are frequently distinguished by a mix of conservative editorial viewpoints and objective journalistic coverage. Its in-depth reporting makes it a resource for professionals, academics, and anyone seeking to stay informed about global issues.

5. Google

Google is my starting point to look for a certain topic. By searching specific topics, I can access a variety of sources, from mainstream media outlets to niche publications. Its search engine filters allow me to look for specific results, including date, religion, or publication, which makes it easier to find relevant and credible information. This helps me to compare perspectives and fact-check information. Google News also compiles trending stories, so I can quickly see what's happening in the world.