Your secret Internet resources

The internet is so big it's sometimes overwhelming. According to World Wide Websize, there are over 1.8 billion websites that have been indexed. Dig a little deeper and we find that there are levels to the internet.

Surface web is anything that can be indexed by a typical search engine such as Google. Which according to some experts is around 4% of the actual Internet. https://techlog360.com/darknet-vs-dark-web-vs-deep-web-vs-surface-web/

The Deep web refers to data that is stored in website databases. Content that is not available by clicking on a link. Information you can find by searching through a website, such as a Government database or library. This is estimated to be 400-500 times the size of the Surface web. http://bigdata2.brightplanet.com/your-guide-to-the-deep-web

The Dark web or dark net is designed specifically for annonymity and can only be access through private networks such as the Tor browser. It cannot be accessed by a search engine and typically hosts large scale illegal activity. 

But as the Internet grows we are gravitating more to the same sources. Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple enjoy most of our attention online. For this post I would like you to list three cool resources that are unique to this blog post and to most of us. For example: 

• Ninite.com lets me install lots of applications from 1 website. Instead of visiting all of those sites individually.
• https://www.flightradar24.com/40.98,-73.95/7 - lets you track airline flights
• Into 3d? Check this out...https://poly.google.com/
• Download and create your own universe that you can explore!!! http://spaceengine.org/

So what are three that you think everyone should know about? 

Life Pro Tips

We're coming close to the finish line. One more quarter and you are finished with an important milestone in your life. Might not feel like it but it is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics upon graduation you will have improved your earning capacity by approximately $185/week and you are significantly more employable .

As well, for the past year you've been consumed with considering the future. What school to go to, what major to study, etc. For this post let's talk Pro Tips. Simple ways to navigate the myriad of challenges in life you will face. https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/

For this post choose one of the LifeProTips and try it. Tell us which one you've chose and document your findings in your post.  

Zoltan vs. Zerzan

We've been exploring examples and debating the relationship between humans and technology over the last few weeks. As we saw in the Facebook hearings, and the episode of Black Mirror there are often unintended consequences we are often blind to.

http://bigthink.com/articles/10-human-body-modifications-you-can-expect-in-the-next-decade

"Transformative technologies have always been accompanied by optimistic and pessimistic visions of how they will change humanity and society. Socrates worried that the invention of writing would have a deletrious effect on the memories of young Greeks who, he predicted, would become : the hearers of many things and will have learned nothing."

"But it is clear that we are heading in a direction that has no broader comparison in terms of it's impact on humanity as a species itself. For instance take Zoltan Istvan. He wants to live forever. Not in the metaphysical sense (books or memories) but in a very real, practical sense. And he believes technology will soon make it possible. Zoltan is planning to upload his brian and all its billions of unique synaptic pathways to a computer server. He's part of a growing community of people who believe technology can make us physically, intellectually, even morally better. They call themselves transhumanists. Transhumanists seek the continued evolution of humans beyond its current form."

Now meet John Zerzan. "He's one of the world's most famous anarcho-primitivist who believe that technology is at the root of many, if not all, of today's social problems. He wants to jettison Facebook, computers, telephones, electricity, steam-powered engines and more. He believes technology tends to distract us from our natural state, pushing us further away from what it really is to be free humans."

For this post I want you to research Transhumanist and Anarcho-Primitivism and inform yourself on the debate. Then write about which side of the debate do you find yourself. Provide a link to one of your sources that you found convincing.

Credit: The Dark Net, Inside the Digital Underworld. By Jamie Barlett

School Shootings

Welcome back!!!  Not exactly a fun nor easy topic but one I think must be discussed. On February 14 a 19 year old former student walked into Stoneman Douglas High School and killed 17 students and teachers. He also injured 14 people. Without any weapons training he was legally able to purchase a Ar-15 semi automatic rifle. A weapon capable of firing 20 shots in 9 seconds.  Here's some more facts:

Discuss the questions following in your post: 

1. Why do you think these incidents keep happening? 
2. What is your initial reaction when you hear about an event like this?  
3. What do you think should be done to help ensure things like this can be avoided? 

The Environment

There is a lot of talk about the environment in the news. Melting ice polar ice caps, too much carbon in the atmosphere, and so much more. It is easy to feel horrible about it and that there is very little impact one person can have. But knowledge is power and collective knowledge can have an enormous impact.

Check out this site:
https://www.ewg.org/

It is a highly respected site that rates the quality of the products we commonly use for healh and environmental safety.

For this post I want you to research THREE common products you use or find at home and report what you finding. Is the product good/bad and did it change your opinion of it. 

For example: Search here for common skin care or cosmetic products: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep#.WoGyc7ynGUk and report what you use and what you found out.

Or search here for common household cleaning products and report what you use and what you found out:
https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners#.WoGy77ynGUk

Or search the food you eat and report the findings: https://www.ewg.org/foodscores#.WoG1cLynHRY

Sample post: 

I like to use L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Designer Eyebrow Pencil, Brunette. After researching the product I found it contains some ingredients that cause me concern. For example: The product uses Castor Oil for enhanced skin absorption with can lead to developmental or reproductive toxicity.

Digital Literacy Continued

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about the abundance of fake news. Fake news is information deliberately posted to confuse people, drive traffic to websites and in many cases can have a significant impact. It is now our job to become detectives of what is real vs. what is fake.

Websites and news organizations make money from advertising when we view their content. There are three important distinctions for you to know:

1. Native Advertising - advertising that tries to sell or promote a product in the guise of a news story
2. Traditional Advertising - most common advertising that sells or promotes a product 
3. News story - real content containing factual information about a subject and independent of bias and should answer, who, what, when and how

For this post take a look at the following website banner and answer this question: 

Of the above which category do all three banners fall under, native advertising, traditional advertising or a news story and why? 

Credit: Stamford University Study: https://sheg.stanford.edu/upload/V3LessonPlans/Executive%20Summary%2011.21.16.pdf

Scrolling through your life

Another day another study that links social media with increased depression. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-more-you-endlessly-scroll-on-facebook-the-bigger-the-risk-to-your-mental-health-2018-01-12

Please read the above article. There will be questions on your quiz regarding some of the facts.

So for our final post of Q2 I thought we would have an honest share about our own social media habits.

 Please answer both of the following:

1) How much time are you spending on social media per day? Which social media platform do you gravitate towards? Do you find it hard to discipline yourself away from it?

2) Studies also found that Instagram users are the most narcisitic: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/beware-of-people-who-always-post-selfies-on-facebook-2015-07-16

Narcissim is defined as: extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one's own talents and a craving for admiration, as characterizing a personality type.

Do you use Instagram? Do you feel Instagram promotes this type of behavior? What is your experience with the platform?

Extra Credit:
Take the Narcissism Personality Test and discuss the results. https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/NPI/