Reading and Activity #5

            Privacy is something extremely important in my life. I do not like a lot of people knowing my business. If I did, I would share what I had to with the world probably through Facebook or some sort of social media. Keeping some things private does not only mean my business but also my personal privacy (people getting in my bubble, searching through my things, etc). I am extremely concerned with how our individual privacy rights are slowly being taken from us. The thing that scares me most is that we will not even know when this will happen. The government could be listening in on phone calls or following your every move whether on the Internet or physically. You hear all the time about large companies being hacked. This makes me wonder, if they can hack the system of large corporations as threats or attacks they can surely hack into my system and are probably not far from hacking private governmental documents.

            This article was a very interesting article to read because of the facts that are given truly surprised me. For instance how much control Facebook actually has through the Internet. It is a great social site to share your photos and what you are doing, but people need to think twice before posting their statuses. Posting something about where you are going can tip off burglars that you will not be home. Did you know Facebook gets a report every time you visit a site where there is a button to “like” Facebook, you do not even have to press the button. It is things like this that make me wonder, why does that even matter if we are not actually dealing with or through Facebook to access that site. The article makes sure you know how to protect yourself by thinking before you type a status and regularly check your exposure. See how your page looks to others.

            It is actually a nice feature to have this ability to see how your profile looks to the public so you know what to hide. Honestly the only reason I still have a Facebook is to put pictures up for family and likewise. I do not even remember the last time I posted a status about something on Facebook it usually through Twitter. Reading this article really opened my eyes to the power Facebook has. I will definitely try to spread the word to have people make SURE their profiles are private! 

News Report #5

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/business/single-incision-surgery-via-new-robotic-systems.html?ref=technology

When Robotic Surgery Leaves Just a Scratch

November 17, 2012

By: Anne Eisenberg

NY Times

            Once again scientists have found a way to improve technology to be able to perform abdominal surgeries leaving only one incision about the size of the keyhole. The machine has robotic arms and a camera that unfolds once inside the body to perform surgery. The doctor would be sitting behind a computer monitoring the arms and watching this video. This robot does have its positives and negatives. On the plus side it could lead to faster recovery, less scarring, and Dr. Hsieh, a urologist, somebody hopes to be able to do outpatient, scarless robotic surgery. Looking at the negatives cost is always the main obstacle. This machine costs $1.3 to $2.2 million and can run up your hospital bill like no other.

            This article caught my attention because I really do want to see how robots will slowly evolve into our everyday lives. We have had some incredible upgrades in technology dealing with medicine but I am not sure if I would rather have an actual surgeon perform or a robot. Even though the positives outweigh the negatives (for now) I personally could not think about having my open-heart surgery done by a robot. Some people with their crazy allergies could be allergic to the metal on the robot and not even know it! All in all, I am not too surprised scientists have come up with this robot but right now I do not like the idea of it. 

News Report #4

“How New Yorkers Adjusted to Sudden Smartphone Withdrawal”

By: Jenna Wortham, NY Times

11/3/2012

<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/how-new-yorkers-adjusted-to-sudden-smartphone-withdrawal/?ref=technology>

            Hurricane Sandy left a devastating impact on the upper East Coast leaving thousands of New Yorkers without electricity or heat, but the biggest concern they were facing was the loss of cell phone service. Many had little, if any, access to even landline connections to be able to access information about the storm and surround areas. If they did find out information, for instance if the water was safe to drink, there was no way to verify if this was true. Although this is minor, it made many people realize how dependent we are on smartphones. Since they did not have service they had to actually come up with systems on where and when to meet each other and actually stick with their word. Getting cell service back was bittersweet to some. A couple living in the West Village enjoyed cooking by flashlight and exploring their neighborhood.

            This was a very interesting article to read, learning how different people dealt with losing their cell phone connection. It really made me realize how dependent we have become on our smartphones. It is a quick and easy way to pass on information and to get in contact with relatives on the other side of the country to let them know you are safe. But I almost think we have become TOO dependent on our smartphones. According to the article, Mr. Juh also admitted to mixed feelings. “It’s strange, how in the end you feel like a prisoner to your device,” he said. “It’s the one thing you wanted to work, more than anything.” If I was in that position, I would be concerned about getting my phone back on, but more importantly I would be concerned about finding shelter, food, and water. Eventually the power will come back on and people will find ways of spreading the word without the use of cell phones. We have done it in the past have we not?