The Facebook Dilemma

     The Facebook dilemma all started with a student at Harvard University, Mark Zuckerburg, who wanted to. start a website where people on campus could "rate" girls on campus, but it ended up turning into so much more. Facebook was all about connecting people, it was about people being able to share their life and give people the opportunity to react and network with eachother. Mark Zuckerburgs philosophy was more about, "it was more important to get things done rather than doing things necessarily right like dotting eyes and crossing the Ts". However, this philosophy would ultimately get him in trouble. The full effect of Facebook was seen in full force when political activist used the website to get the people of egypt to start a revolution, and ultimately get their president to resign. This was a sort of breakthrough, and everyone including Mark Zuckerburg could not see the power and influence that Facebook had. This was what Mark had wanted as his goal was for world wide expansion, and at this point, this is what was happening with the site. The original approach to Facebook was more of a Libertarian style, where basically anyone could post anything, and the users of the website would police the site. However, as Facebook grew more and more, and as Mark Zuckerburg was becoming more and more focused on "growth and expansion", that is where things took a turn. Facebook was not clear to users of how they would be using their data, and would sneak privacy things into their terms that would go unnoticed. Facebook became a sort of violation of privacy as they began data mining, and using people's personal information and data for all sorts of purposes such as, personalized ads, and selling information, and sneaky things like that. This would ultimately get Mark Zuckerburg in trouble, when he had to go on trial for data mining. Facebook however, and many other online platforms, and social media outlets would still use peoples private information, and violate people's privacy by adding things into their terms, and just using their data. Overall, it is scary of how much personal information is used by Facebook, and many other online platforms, and it is important to monitor your online presence, and use discernment while on the internet.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/facebook-dilemma/

https://www.security.org/resources/data-tech-companies-have/

Politicization of Coronavirus

     As the country had moved forward with dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that the virus has become much more political than anything. Many of the more left states and democrats are keeping their states on lockdown and are pushing more more stricter covid restrictions while the right and republicans are pushing for the opposite and want less restrictions and fewer guidelines. However, the question is, why is this the case with this situation. The main reason I believe for this divide of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is because of the restrictions. Republicans want more freedom, and want the American people to be able to choose, while the Democratic Party wants everyone to follow the mandates completely and stay inside, and wear masks. With these restrictions however, a lot of small businesses are suffering, and it is important a lot of Republicans that these small businesses stay alive and thrive for the better of our economy The divide is also a result of parties disagreeing with how the pandemic was initially handled. Many Democrats argue that the pandemic was poorly handled in the first place. However, as of now in the country it has come down to Republicans and a lot of Americans having enough of being locked in and afraid, and many states have already begun to lift their covid restrictions. Ultimately we will see the results of these ending of mandates, but these states that are opening up have seen a significant drop in cases and they were already looser on the mandates. Overall, this politicization comes down to One party wanting more restrictions, and the other party wanting the choice to choose, and loosen up the restrictions, and try and get small businesses, and the economy back on track. 

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/how-origins-covid-19-became-politicized