Global ethics/ Global society.
The very first way I can recall that connects my participation on a global ethics issue was when we contributed rice by answering questions on a website. This set of actions was an easy way to help an endeavor of a larger scale and contributed to a crisis on a global level. It seems that in this fast paced and competitive society we participate in, basic needs and daily life are taken for granted. On a global scale people still suffer on a basic level with no food, shelter, and health care, among other needs. I felt a sense of humility and was humbled when all it took were a couple of minutes from me to make a difference in the world. Who knows to what extent my contribution made, but nonetheless it was a small attempt to help.
My thought of a global ethics transcending across cultures and religions is that it is inevitable and to some extent needed. Although we create and organize in different ways across the world, there is always a very basic connectivity on a human level. I feel that we share Earth, so we must be conscious of others needs' and place in the world. It is hard to create a global society that will agree on wide ranging issues because there are so many intricate difference between cultures, beliefs, religions, and politics. Yet, there must be compromises and respect on a global scale, so as to help preserve those individual differences, and collectively preserve human needs and life. I have not the answer, but this is my brief opinion.
Prime Minister Brown provides a very visual account of global ethic, and does a n excellent job in describing the current measures that exist in creating a global society. As stated by Prime Minister Brown, in his talk presented on ted.com, at the 11 minute 12 second mark "... you need that global ethic of fairness and responsibility across the generations," (TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, 2009). These values really highlighted to me what type of change needs to be promoted to people across global demographics. This lead me to think that by creating a more guiding set of basic characteristics of expression for other human’s needs can help foster a global society. There needs to be a level of caring created more deeply, and fairness and responsibility are prime to this goal.
A current global ethic that can be further explored, in my opinion, deals with the issue of illegal immigration in the United States. Although there is a clear violation of Unites States Law, there needs to be a more contextual understanding of what these individuals and families are experiencing. The issue is not an easy resolve, but basic human rights at times are ignored for people crossing the desert borders. Instead of letting these individuals suffer in their own country, or die and risk life to reach the United States, why not strengthen relationships with the neighboring countries to create guest worker programs? Could there be a database created that tracks available jobs in the United States and connects people looking for work in a neighbor country, then has a tool for creating a way to properly and legally acquire set job and enter the country to accept this job? A great deal of computer access would need to be created for people in neighboring countries, but it could work like many job search engines that citizens currently use to search for employment and post resumes, etc. There would have to be a connection between employer, job seeker of foreign country, U.S government, Foreign government. The governments would need to create tools that process and explain the limitations, and provide entry across borders. These tools can screen and process the proper documents and resources needed to gain legalization, residency, and status. Just a thought...
A great ethical scenario I can recall deals with a friend who was fired from a job. He worked for a youth program. To this day he says he wished he could have done things differently because it was the best job he ever had, and will have. He created strong bonds and relationships with the staff and members of the program. He was also responsible for creating the lesson planning and overall program design of several programs in the organization. Through the years the management and structure of the organization changed. He was at a crossroads at one point in his career, where he felt his contribution to organization was above and beyond the vision of the new management. The organization had a positive design for the future of the program, it was just different to what he was a part of for many years. He felt constricted within his own designed programs and contributions, they were being changed. New collaborations and guidelines being implemented led to frustration with the new management and they had to part ways, both unhappy. Nonetheless he understood what had happened. Could he have dealt with scenario differently, he absolutely felt he could have. he later understood that his values and the goals of the organization were too similar. That should have been more important than any detail of programming, or organized delivery that was being implemented by the new management.
Reference:
TED: Ideas Worth Spreading (July, 2009) Talks Gordon Brown: Wiring a Web for Global Good. TED Conferences, LLC. [Videofile] Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/gordon_brown.html
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
websites
Websites audit
The real application of technology and online access of information for government and consumer is being practiced. This is evidenced by the casual walkthrough of the five websites provided for audit. I think the general scope of observations should be similar across, but to each individual who engages in each particular site the experience and access to information may be different.
What stands out at first observation is that the goals for the websites tend to relate to government issues, ease of access to the public, and providing information.
Whitehouse.gov is a large site and seems to provide a massive amount of links to a myriad of topics. The most important in relation to our class would be the Briefing Room link. There is where an individual can collect and read information on issues, albeit from the perspective and stand that the U.S Government is proposing. The website is a nice place to begin research and gain a perspective to American issues, it also does a good job of being informative on the general structure and function of the U.S Government. Technology is not innovative, as it just incorporates links, and blogs, and pages with general information, some active videos, but nothing too complicated. I would guess this is due to trying to provide an easy navigation for a lot of common users.
apps.gov was the most unique site. This website is promoting and selling a technology called cloud computing (U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV, n.d.). The effort of this agency is to create a more efficient IT infrastructure for government agencies through the applications they provide (U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV, n.d.). This effort is part of the process we have learned in class collectively and individually in our process to create our wiki pages, collaborative papers, and connectivity via online. At each stage and assignement we should ask ourselves how we can improve our efficiency to produce better results and more dynamic interactions, and better collaboartion?
The most impressive of the audits was of data.gov and recovery.gov. These websites are very much a resource of information. The amount of categorized information provided on both is tremendous. The websites are not complicated in nature with very easy navigation tools and data retrieval options. The information is very up to date and covers a wide range of topics and issues.
data.gov is very accessible and very well organized. The key feature that provides an efficient use is the organization of the data into three ways to access information. These categories are raw, tools, and geodata catalog (Data.gov, 2009). In these three categories a user can have access to data in various forms, from instant access, or linking to more reliable sites and, or data sets.
recovery.gov is a a website that provides an effort to show how and where financial resources are being used throughout the United States. This website is the direct creation of the Recovery Act, as stated in recovery.org, "The Act specifies appropriations for a wide range of federal programs, and increases or extends certain benefits under Medicaid, unemployment compensation, and nutrition assistance programs," (Recovery.gov Track the Money, 2009). The unique features in the website that help engage in this issue is a detailed and intercative map that provides current data and details on how money is being spent, the details canbe found down to a zip code. There are also videos, and very dteailed explanations about concepts and issues.
Serve.org was a website very similarly designed to the Whitehouse website. A lot of links and general information. It is oriented for the public, in an effort to increase active volunteerism. Connectivity seems the key feature, the site offers various ways for individuals and groups to participate and offer opportunities to volunteer, it connects through the social networks facebook, twitter, etc. The issue is more dynamic than any of the technology it uses.
The topic more interesting here is the use of online resources, by the government, to connect to its public and citizens. The ability to communicate to more people, even within it own governmental infrastructure, would seem a tool in of itself to use to create a more dynamic government that coordinates its resources to produce the results it wants. These websites offer a way for the public and citizens to engage with its government more quickly and on current issues. The landscape of information that these websites provide allows users to efficiently research for their intended purposes, and vice-versa.
Data.gov (November, 2009). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.data.gov/faq
Recovery.gov Track the Money (November, 2009). Frequently Asked Questions for Citizens: What is the Recovery Act. Retrieved from http://www.recovery.gov/FAQ/Pages/ForCitizens.aspx#whatisrecoveryact
U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV (n.d). A Service Provided by GSA. Retrieved from https://apps.gov/cloud/advantage/main/home.do?BV_UseBVCookie
The real application of technology and online access of information for government and consumer is being practiced. This is evidenced by the casual walkthrough of the five websites provided for audit. I think the general scope of observations should be similar across, but to each individual who engages in each particular site the experience and access to information may be different.
What stands out at first observation is that the goals for the websites tend to relate to government issues, ease of access to the public, and providing information.
Whitehouse.gov is a large site and seems to provide a massive amount of links to a myriad of topics. The most important in relation to our class would be the Briefing Room link. There is where an individual can collect and read information on issues, albeit from the perspective and stand that the U.S Government is proposing. The website is a nice place to begin research and gain a perspective to American issues, it also does a good job of being informative on the general structure and function of the U.S Government. Technology is not innovative, as it just incorporates links, and blogs, and pages with general information, some active videos, but nothing too complicated. I would guess this is due to trying to provide an easy navigation for a lot of common users.
apps.gov was the most unique site. This website is promoting and selling a technology called cloud computing (U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV, n.d.). The effort of this agency is to create a more efficient IT infrastructure for government agencies through the applications they provide (U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV, n.d.). This effort is part of the process we have learned in class collectively and individually in our process to create our wiki pages, collaborative papers, and connectivity via online. At each stage and assignement we should ask ourselves how we can improve our efficiency to produce better results and more dynamic interactions, and better collaboartion?
The most impressive of the audits was of data.gov and recovery.gov. These websites are very much a resource of information. The amount of categorized information provided on both is tremendous. The websites are not complicated in nature with very easy navigation tools and data retrieval options. The information is very up to date and covers a wide range of topics and issues.
data.gov is very accessible and very well organized. The key feature that provides an efficient use is the organization of the data into three ways to access information. These categories are raw, tools, and geodata catalog (Data.gov, 2009). In these three categories a user can have access to data in various forms, from instant access, or linking to more reliable sites and, or data sets.
recovery.gov is a a website that provides an effort to show how and where financial resources are being used throughout the United States. This website is the direct creation of the Recovery Act, as stated in recovery.org, "The Act specifies appropriations for a wide range of federal programs, and increases or extends certain benefits under Medicaid, unemployment compensation, and nutrition assistance programs," (Recovery.gov Track the Money, 2009). The unique features in the website that help engage in this issue is a detailed and intercative map that provides current data and details on how money is being spent, the details canbe found down to a zip code. There are also videos, and very dteailed explanations about concepts and issues.
Serve.org was a website very similarly designed to the Whitehouse website. A lot of links and general information. It is oriented for the public, in an effort to increase active volunteerism. Connectivity seems the key feature, the site offers various ways for individuals and groups to participate and offer opportunities to volunteer, it connects through the social networks facebook, twitter, etc. The issue is more dynamic than any of the technology it uses.
The topic more interesting here is the use of online resources, by the government, to connect to its public and citizens. The ability to communicate to more people, even within it own governmental infrastructure, would seem a tool in of itself to use to create a more dynamic government that coordinates its resources to produce the results it wants. These websites offer a way for the public and citizens to engage with its government more quickly and on current issues. The landscape of information that these websites provide allows users to efficiently research for their intended purposes, and vice-versa.
Data.gov (November, 2009). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.data.gov/faq
Recovery.gov Track the Money (November, 2009). Frequently Asked Questions for Citizens: What is the Recovery Act. Retrieved from http://www.recovery.gov/FAQ/Pages/ForCitizens.aspx#whatisrecoveryact
U.S. General Services Administration APPS.GOV (n.d). A Service Provided by GSA. Retrieved from https://apps.gov/cloud/advantage/main/home.do?BV_UseBVCookie
Monday, November 16, 2009
Book Review
Book Review: Who Controls the Internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World.
In this age of technological advancements and connectivity through the internet it is important to develop an understanding of the mechanism you are engaging within. It seems that most of us take the internet for granted and we log on without regard to the layers behind it all. We click away and research, surf, shop, socialize, and get entertained with out much of a clue to what it has taken to make available the platform with which we do all of these activities. Much less the tools that control and maintain these connections in the manner in which we use them. At least I haven’t up to this point, but after reading, Who Controls the internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World, written by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu, published by Oxford University Press in 2006, a new perspective of the internet has appeared and made more sense of the virtual dynamics that we participate in.
The purpose of this book seems be to capture the evolution of the internet and who has authority in it. Within that framework the authors propose three main stages of how the internet operates and who has authority over its functions, specifically on a global scale. These three sections of the book highlight various events that have occurred that have led to significant changes in different mechanisms that involve internet use and control. We start to understand the main thesis in the introduction with the events between Yahoo and the French government. A legal fight ensued over the French government’s request for Yahoo to remove web pages selling Nazi related items. The author’s use this example to introduce the reader to some of their preceding points, “ The Yahoo story encapsulates the Internet’s transformation from a technology that resists territorial law to one that facilitates its enforcement,” (Goldsmith & Wu, 2006, pp. 10). The three main sections of the book break down the main point of the Yahoo case with more relevant examples, and explore the different technologies developed from these events that impact the governance of the internet in its modern forms.
Section one of the book covers much of the origins and key people whose ideas founded the different scopes of internet use and control. This section really deals with who actually has authority over the internet. The cases here deal with key figures such as Jon Postel and John Perry Barlow and their actions in dealing with the U.S Government over controlling the internet . What is important to note in this section is the contributions of Julian Dibbell in which he wrote a book, A Rape in Cyberspace, that raises the idea of the internet as a “place,” (pp. 16) and , “Dibbell’s parable was also the beginning of a constructive vision of governance liberated from physical and national identity…,” (pp. 16). We really get a clear perspective of how the internet originated and the struggles to control it.
Section two of the book covers the role of the U.S Government after it had taken authority over the internet. Here the authors really begin to unearth real world examples from the 1990’s that paved the way policy has been developed to govern the internet. This section explores the internet on an international scale, how geography, governments, and law affect the way services and goods are delivered respectively across physical borders (pp. 179). In short the author’s argue to an extent the impact that globalization and government coercion has upon the control of the internet (pp. 179). A key point is the authors’ reference to Lawrence Lessig and his ideas on "code is law," (pp. 72), within a unique perspective, "When governement practices control through code, it is practicing a commonplace form of intermediary control,” (p. 72). The chapter on China is particularly interesting, it explores internet security and censorship, amidst the topic of internet governance.
The authors’, in section three, really highlight the positive and negative constructs governments and web authorities are facing. The authors‘ really aim to, “…show how the future of the internet will be shaped by domestic politics and international relations, as interest groups and countries fight for control and influence over the once borderless medium,” (pp. 130). The most important point is on how the internet now has borders and their roles are derived from enforcement of national laws, language and culture, and technological developments (pp. 149-150). Finally the authors explore the lessons learned from global rules and how and when they can or cannot be applied within the internet.
The book does make a great case for explaining how the internet is governed and how we have reached this point. The book was an easy read and concise, any chapter could have been a book itself. The book is truly remarkable in the amount of examples it uses to highlight the main points. Any given chapter really highlights a moment in internet history that supports the point being addressed. The book makes you think about your place in history when these events were taking place. Subsequently it makes you provoke your current understanding of the way you use the internet and how it affects the norms you have about its dynamic framework.The book is relative to our course in many ways that mirror on a smaller scale the concepts involved with authority and control of our web space. As we have collaborated through our wiki environment we have had to accept the the guidelines proposed from our professor, but at the same time have had some affect to the norms established in the class through the development of our contributed work. I would recommend this book, even just as a casual read, it can be accessed online through the Arizona State University library.
The book has minor weak points, it does read a bit dry in some points, in particular with the discussion of file sharing, although it does add more importance to behavior and law regarding the internet. Where the book is solid is in provoking though about the future direction of internet and globalization trends. There is something in thinking of these concepts while personally using the internet that make you wonder what truly is going on in this network of people, files, and information. Some questions that I personally had that could be further explored are, to what extent do web companies sacrifice personal choice and belief when they deal outside of their borders? Is money the ultimate motivating factor in these decisions, or where do cases exist where moral or preferred belief supersedes profit in global internet control and transaction?
What really sets a striking point is the idea that powerful nation’s are in race to extend their dominance over the internet and to manipulate the authority and scope of its technology, the authors’ write “It is not just that nations have the power to shape the Internet’s architecture. It is that the United States, China, and Europe are using their coercive powers to establish different visions of what the internet might be,” (pp. 184)
Reference
Goldsmith, J. & Wu, T. (2006). Who Controls the Internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World. Oxford University Press, Incorporated. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/lib/asulib/docDetail.action?docID=101 60558
In this age of technological advancements and connectivity through the internet it is important to develop an understanding of the mechanism you are engaging within. It seems that most of us take the internet for granted and we log on without regard to the layers behind it all. We click away and research, surf, shop, socialize, and get entertained with out much of a clue to what it has taken to make available the platform with which we do all of these activities. Much less the tools that control and maintain these connections in the manner in which we use them. At least I haven’t up to this point, but after reading, Who Controls the internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World, written by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu, published by Oxford University Press in 2006, a new perspective of the internet has appeared and made more sense of the virtual dynamics that we participate in.
The purpose of this book seems be to capture the evolution of the internet and who has authority in it. Within that framework the authors propose three main stages of how the internet operates and who has authority over its functions, specifically on a global scale. These three sections of the book highlight various events that have occurred that have led to significant changes in different mechanisms that involve internet use and control. We start to understand the main thesis in the introduction with the events between Yahoo and the French government. A legal fight ensued over the French government’s request for Yahoo to remove web pages selling Nazi related items. The author’s use this example to introduce the reader to some of their preceding points, “ The Yahoo story encapsulates the Internet’s transformation from a technology that resists territorial law to one that facilitates its enforcement,” (Goldsmith & Wu, 2006, pp. 10). The three main sections of the book break down the main point of the Yahoo case with more relevant examples, and explore the different technologies developed from these events that impact the governance of the internet in its modern forms.
Section one of the book covers much of the origins and key people whose ideas founded the different scopes of internet use and control. This section really deals with who actually has authority over the internet. The cases here deal with key figures such as Jon Postel and John Perry Barlow and their actions in dealing with the U.S Government over controlling the internet . What is important to note in this section is the contributions of Julian Dibbell in which he wrote a book, A Rape in Cyberspace, that raises the idea of the internet as a “place,” (pp. 16) and , “Dibbell’s parable was also the beginning of a constructive vision of governance liberated from physical and national identity…,” (pp. 16). We really get a clear perspective of how the internet originated and the struggles to control it.
Section two of the book covers the role of the U.S Government after it had taken authority over the internet. Here the authors really begin to unearth real world examples from the 1990’s that paved the way policy has been developed to govern the internet. This section explores the internet on an international scale, how geography, governments, and law affect the way services and goods are delivered respectively across physical borders (pp. 179). In short the author’s argue to an extent the impact that globalization and government coercion has upon the control of the internet (pp. 179). A key point is the authors’ reference to Lawrence Lessig and his ideas on "code is law," (pp. 72), within a unique perspective, "When governement practices control through code, it is practicing a commonplace form of intermediary control,” (p. 72). The chapter on China is particularly interesting, it explores internet security and censorship, amidst the topic of internet governance.
The authors’, in section three, really highlight the positive and negative constructs governments and web authorities are facing. The authors‘ really aim to, “…show how the future of the internet will be shaped by domestic politics and international relations, as interest groups and countries fight for control and influence over the once borderless medium,” (pp. 130). The most important point is on how the internet now has borders and their roles are derived from enforcement of national laws, language and culture, and technological developments (pp. 149-150). Finally the authors explore the lessons learned from global rules and how and when they can or cannot be applied within the internet.
The book does make a great case for explaining how the internet is governed and how we have reached this point. The book was an easy read and concise, any chapter could have been a book itself. The book is truly remarkable in the amount of examples it uses to highlight the main points. Any given chapter really highlights a moment in internet history that supports the point being addressed. The book makes you think about your place in history when these events were taking place. Subsequently it makes you provoke your current understanding of the way you use the internet and how it affects the norms you have about its dynamic framework.The book is relative to our course in many ways that mirror on a smaller scale the concepts involved with authority and control of our web space. As we have collaborated through our wiki environment we have had to accept the the guidelines proposed from our professor, but at the same time have had some affect to the norms established in the class through the development of our contributed work. I would recommend this book, even just as a casual read, it can be accessed online through the Arizona State University library.
The book has minor weak points, it does read a bit dry in some points, in particular with the discussion of file sharing, although it does add more importance to behavior and law regarding the internet. Where the book is solid is in provoking though about the future direction of internet and globalization trends. There is something in thinking of these concepts while personally using the internet that make you wonder what truly is going on in this network of people, files, and information. Some questions that I personally had that could be further explored are, to what extent do web companies sacrifice personal choice and belief when they deal outside of their borders? Is money the ultimate motivating factor in these decisions, or where do cases exist where moral or preferred belief supersedes profit in global internet control and transaction?
What really sets a striking point is the idea that powerful nation’s are in race to extend their dominance over the internet and to manipulate the authority and scope of its technology, the authors’ write “It is not just that nations have the power to shape the Internet’s architecture. It is that the United States, China, and Europe are using their coercive powers to establish different visions of what the internet might be,” (pp. 184)
Reference
Goldsmith, J. & Wu, T. (2006). Who Controls the Internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World. Oxford University Press, Incorporated. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/lib/asulib/docDetail.action?docID=101 60558
Monday, October 12, 2009
citizen participation
Citizen participaton is needed at any level of government. It is a founding principle that helps develop and manifest our goals and practices. It is commonly expressed that citizen participation is low, there ahave been increases and the numbers rise usally when we have elections of some type, particularly presidential. Although voting is always seen as a strong component of particiaption in our government, there should be more engegment at other levels to help capture the essence of a long self standing idea, "...a government for the people, by the people.".
I believe the easiest way to engage our publc is by motivating our youth to be politically active. They eventually will be our policymakers and administrators, so it is important to reach them. This particular segment of particiants is a unique and evolving group, so it is important to stay ahead of the curve on relevant issues and use technology to distribute information and inspire change.
The most common way youth are reached is by media, in particular television, by using public service announcements. This can trend can be seen reletaviely early with the marketing of armed services recruiting. The use of public service announcements was used in the 1980's and 1990's to reach young adults, teens, and children. I remember as a youth messages of local issues, such as police and fire safety were placed in cartoon episodes. Large scale campaigns to prevent smoking/tobbacco use became regular televison segments. The trend seemed to at least be informative and did reach the target population effectively.
As we become emerged in this technological heavy society, it seems logical that the relevant issues confronting government will need to presented to our youth in a similar way as in the 1980's and 1990's. The accessibilty of computers and tech savvy devices are in the hands of most of our youth, so these different media d social networking outlets we have been exploring in our class will be the connectivity to participation. These cyberspaces are an innovative and quick use of space to reach many, so it seems that the evolution of public service announcements will be internet based. While searching for information I could integrate into this post I came across a public service announcement that addresses youth particiaption and is posted on youtube, "CNN Broadcasts PSA on Youth-Led Change" (YOUTUBE.COM CNN 2008). I believe it originally aired on CNN, BUT it is now accessible online. This type of outreach will inevitably evolve into other forms of media and networking to reach and engage citizens to partiiapte in issues and government oriented goals
The use of public service announcements in previous form and combined in the future with current technology is based in the essential citizen participation concepts. For citizens, public service announcements educate, allows for people to become active in the issue, connects them to governement ( Irvin & Stansbury 2004). For governement, it allows for education, ligitamy for decisions, connectivity to public (Irvin & Stansbury 2004). The benefits to reach the public far outweigh the distractions it can cause, because inevitably it froms the framework of the genral goals that evryone involved wants and needs. This also gives credibilty to all parties olved becasue they have a buy in and have a voice in the process. Irvin and Stansbury explain, (that public participation can)..."emphasize the particiaption process as a transformative tool for social change," (p.64 2004)
"CNN Broadcasts PSA on Youth-Led Change"
The links are not working for me---PSA on youth is on youtube.com---
I believe the easiest way to engage our publc is by motivating our youth to be politically active. They eventually will be our policymakers and administrators, so it is important to reach them. This particular segment of particiants is a unique and evolving group, so it is important to stay ahead of the curve on relevant issues and use technology to distribute information and inspire change.
The most common way youth are reached is by media, in particular television, by using public service announcements. This can trend can be seen reletaviely early with the marketing of armed services recruiting. The use of public service announcements was used in the 1980's and 1990's to reach young adults, teens, and children. I remember as a youth messages of local issues, such as police and fire safety were placed in cartoon episodes. Large scale campaigns to prevent smoking/tobbacco use became regular televison segments. The trend seemed to at least be informative and did reach the target population effectively.
As we become emerged in this technological heavy society, it seems logical that the relevant issues confronting government will need to presented to our youth in a similar way as in the 1980's and 1990's. The accessibilty of computers and tech savvy devices are in the hands of most of our youth, so these different media d social networking outlets we have been exploring in our class will be the connectivity to participation. These cyberspaces are an innovative and quick use of space to reach many, so it seems that the evolution of public service announcements will be internet based. While searching for information I could integrate into this post I came across a public service announcement that addresses youth particiaption and is posted on youtube, "CNN Broadcasts PSA on Youth-Led Change" (YOUTUBE.COM CNN 2008). I believe it originally aired on CNN, BUT it is now accessible online. This type of outreach will inevitably evolve into other forms of media and networking to reach and engage citizens to partiiapte in issues and government oriented goals
The use of public service announcements in previous form and combined in the future with current technology is based in the essential citizen participation concepts. For citizens, public service announcements educate, allows for people to become active in the issue, connects them to governement ( Irvin & Stansbury 2004). For governement, it allows for education, ligitamy for decisions, connectivity to public (Irvin & Stansbury 2004). The benefits to reach the public far outweigh the distractions it can cause, because inevitably it froms the framework of the genral goals that evryone involved wants and needs. This also gives credibilty to all parties olved becasue they have a buy in and have a voice in the process. Irvin and Stansbury explain, (that public participation can)..."emphasize the particiaption process as a transformative tool for social change," (p.64 2004)
"CNN Broadcasts PSA on Youth-Led Change"
The links are not working for me---PSA on youth is on youtube.com---
Monday, October 5, 2009
PA and Technologies
Public Administration has properties that are founded in communication and the collection and interpretation of information. These novel technologies that explore communication virtually are important to explore in order to refine the practices of public administration. As the world becomes intrinsically attached to the internet and web worlds government practices will follow suit. The faster and more information that can be colected and used to perform services will, and seems to be increasing exponentially. One problem I would like to address is the accessibilty to technology in rural and lower income communities,and non profit interaction in these communities.
On the professionial side of providing services it is usualy not a question to have access to computers, technology and resources to perfom the jobs and duties. There are exceptions, and organizations that do not have the most up to date technology, but it would be surprising to have no access. Yet, on the other side of the table, the customers and populations being served seem less fortunate.
How can an organziation, for example, that is tryig to collect data for welfare services truly identify certain necessary data if, these population sectors cannot provide the data accurately, or at all. It seems that in order for these types of services to be provided more effectively, a better method of data collection and communication with the communities inolved is needed.
Obviously it will not be easy, but there has to be some type of effort made to create technolgy centers, and or make technology available to these lower income and rural communities. Whether that effort be made through private or governmental efforts is a question in of itself, but there must be some strive for this. This effort will allow the people who need services to more actively voice their positions, concerns, needs, and voices. In turn the public administration sector will have more reliable data and masses of data that can be correlated to provide more effective and needed services.
So, how do we address this situation? First the use of technology on the professional side should compile an effort to actively resource money to build tehnology centers in rural and lower income communities. Currently the most common ways that these communities have access to the internet and computing services is through the local library and some community centers. Effective, but not all cities offer equal services, or resourceful opportunities to all. A lot of these services are targeted at youth and schooling endeavors, which is great, but the adult sector neeeds access as well. A collaboraive effort between government and private technolgy companies should be made to build Technology centers. A place where residents and community memebers can go to use computers, the internet, and technolgy to improve their lives and the community they live in. These could be the future libraries. A building full of computers that will connect the lower income and rural sectors to the advancing world. Just as cell phones have become easily accesible to all, computers are as well, but not entirley, and not for every individual, especially adults. Children have more access because of schools and youth programs, but thier parents are the population being left out, and the people who need these government services. Government needs to build a bridge to them thorugh these technology centers, as they and the rest of the world ventures forth. Services are needed, but to be effctive in the delivery and to detail the accuracy of services needed the government departments and administartors need to hear from the people who need them. Ever increasing technology is lessing the impact, not necessarily improving it, at least for the people in need.
There could be a more collaborative assemblage of people tRying to improve lives. At this assemblage the populations in need would have an active and particIpatory voice. The technologies such as reputations systems, recommender systems, distributed moderation would be more relevant and useful. Particpants could communicate online and work thorugh a series of joint efforts to make impactful and important decisions. Virtual construction of positive outcomes would result in these technologies being great resources for all. There would be a more personal connection bvetween the adminstartion and customer,although virtually, and the decisons made would become valuable. In of itself tHis interacion could be a type of distributed moderation where ideas and thoughts are collectively shared and manipualted to produce information and choices that are needed. Recommeder sytems could be used to identify specific needs and to target possible outcomes desired. These tools would become effective in filtering ideas and information to reach goals and outcomes in these comunities.
On the professionial side of providing services it is usualy not a question to have access to computers, technology and resources to perfom the jobs and duties. There are exceptions, and organizations that do not have the most up to date technology, but it would be surprising to have no access. Yet, on the other side of the table, the customers and populations being served seem less fortunate.
How can an organziation, for example, that is tryig to collect data for welfare services truly identify certain necessary data if, these population sectors cannot provide the data accurately, or at all. It seems that in order for these types of services to be provided more effectively, a better method of data collection and communication with the communities inolved is needed.
Obviously it will not be easy, but there has to be some type of effort made to create technolgy centers, and or make technology available to these lower income and rural communities. Whether that effort be made through private or governmental efforts is a question in of itself, but there must be some strive for this. This effort will allow the people who need services to more actively voice their positions, concerns, needs, and voices. In turn the public administration sector will have more reliable data and masses of data that can be correlated to provide more effective and needed services.
So, how do we address this situation? First the use of technology on the professional side should compile an effort to actively resource money to build tehnology centers in rural and lower income communities. Currently the most common ways that these communities have access to the internet and computing services is through the local library and some community centers. Effective, but not all cities offer equal services, or resourceful opportunities to all. A lot of these services are targeted at youth and schooling endeavors, which is great, but the adult sector neeeds access as well. A collaboraive effort between government and private technolgy companies should be made to build Technology centers. A place where residents and community memebers can go to use computers, the internet, and technolgy to improve their lives and the community they live in. These could be the future libraries. A building full of computers that will connect the lower income and rural sectors to the advancing world. Just as cell phones have become easily accesible to all, computers are as well, but not entirley, and not for every individual, especially adults. Children have more access because of schools and youth programs, but thier parents are the population being left out, and the people who need these government services. Government needs to build a bridge to them thorugh these technology centers, as they and the rest of the world ventures forth. Services are needed, but to be effctive in the delivery and to detail the accuracy of services needed the government departments and administartors need to hear from the people who need them. Ever increasing technology is lessing the impact, not necessarily improving it, at least for the people in need.
There could be a more collaborative assemblage of people tRying to improve lives. At this assemblage the populations in need would have an active and particIpatory voice. The technologies such as reputations systems, recommender systems, distributed moderation would be more relevant and useful. Particpants could communicate online and work thorugh a series of joint efforts to make impactful and important decisions. Virtual construction of positive outcomes would result in these technologies being great resources for all. There would be a more personal connection bvetween the adminstartion and customer,although virtually, and the decisons made would become valuable. In of itself tHis interacion could be a type of distributed moderation where ideas and thoughts are collectively shared and manipualted to produce information and choices that are needed. Recommeder sytems could be used to identify specific needs and to target possible outcomes desired. These tools would become effective in filtering ideas and information to reach goals and outcomes in these comunities.
virtual worlds
In the news article, from slashdot.com, "NASA Uses AI Customer Service Robot in Second Life" we find the advancing phenomeneon of living in a secondary world. The article descibes the use of "CYBERTWINS", or a clone of yourself that lives in a virtual world for you and acts and artificially functions as you. The interesting fact in the article is that NASA is using this technology. They feel that these cybertwins can help improve their cutomer service responses when interacting in virtual worlds. It can be noted that this trend of existing simultaneously in a virtual world will inevitably lead to forms of regualtion from the government, especially if it deals with the term clonig and having multiple lives, so to speak. This trend seems to forecast at potential problems with identity, integrity, and dual lives. In the future, as this way of existing increases, how can we maintain solid environments that do not cause problems in peoples lives socially, economically, and even at a moral level. These question will inevitably arise, but onl;y the future particpants can explore and, hopefully, create rules and regulations that help these virtual world exist positively and succesfully.
Monday, September 21, 2009
charter cities
Romer suggests an ideal construct fo future city development. His view seems to be a business model for government. Everyone relishes the ability to have choices and that would be innovative, but at what cost would government provide choice. It fits alongside President Obama's health care reform current propositions. We all want choice, but what will we give up to have it. It seems too idealistic to just say you will have all the best choices at your disposal, that has never been the case, so how exactly will this be constructed? I need Romer to explain more in detail how will charter cities provide the best choices, and not just basic and standard choices? The idea is positive, but it seems intangible, control of resources and might seem to govern cities now, why would cities decide to build in places where it would cost to import resources, and or maintian more the alloted land? I like his intentions, but it seems to simply stated.
Lessig and code 2.0 have provided a relaistic view of the cyber intense world we are creating. The connectivity and information we create is now more and more perpetuated through an abstract portal that its seems inevitable that we will live in two worlds eventually, our real life and the cyber life. How will this be regulated, and will we push to create this, or like video games feel the guilt and resume to the concrete. Very pressing issue. I have no answer, but it is interesting.
Lessig and code 2.0 have provided a relaistic view of the cyber intense world we are creating. The connectivity and information we create is now more and more perpetuated through an abstract portal that its seems inevitable that we will live in two worlds eventually, our real life and the cyber life. How will this be regulated, and will we push to create this, or like video games feel the guilt and resume to the concrete. Very pressing issue. I have no answer, but it is interesting.
video games under the constraints
Video Games: Secondary Worlds
Video games are not a new phenomenon and are now embedded in the culture of most people’s lives. Whether you are a hard- core gamer with every gaming system wired to your television or the casual gamer playing on your I-phone during your lunch break, video games are part of the common adult, teen, and children’s world. But that is where a new emerging problem is starting to evolve, are video games part of your world, or a new entirely secondary world you live in? Have video games come to a point of consuming the everyday life of people and create addictions that complicate their normal lives?
Video game addiction is a starting to create serious attention, people have died, have had complications in their lives, and have had their lives crash as a result of playing games. The main question at hand is whether or not there is a true case to label it “addiction”. The flip side of the problem is that video games create a secondary world that when managed properly create a secondary, or complementary positive world for people; socially and emotionally.\
In the current news story and article, “Hook it to my Veins: Can Video Gaming be an Addiction?”, we are presented with this scenario. The main them surrounding the issue is that true addiction is clinically defined at the point were the activity you are involved with starts to interfere with your regular routine and daily activities. The basic analogy is whether you are dedicating more time to playing a game versus doing the dishes. Where is the point where your personal hygiene is impacted negatively by not doing dishes because you are too busy playing games. Te article does site the rare case where people have died or have had health related problems because they neglected their everyday life and were consumed by playing games. The consensus from the article is that video gaming is not an addiction, more along the lines as an escape or mental break from real life. One may be consumed for a period of time by gaming, but you own conscious eventually makes you feel guilty of neglecting your real life. This psychological dichotomy is the so to speak break point from becoming addicted and just truly enjoying the game and “hooked” in its challenges.
The problem at least from this articles point of view is not a problem of addiction, that has to be diagnosed individually, and by health professionals. The problem here may be whether you decide to live in the real world or in the video gaming world. By living in the video gaming world you forge and harbor relationships that have disconnects from those similar relationships you would have in real life. So analysis and research needs to be conducted about social gaming and the meaning you put behind the community you build in this secondary world.
From the perspective of the four constraints, video game addiction is “regulated” (Lessig 2006). The most influential constraint would come from norms. Video games have continually gained more interest since their inception as they have evolved in context, entertainment, and access.
Games can be found in a myriad of media and technological outlets, they represent a form of entertainment just like film, television, literature, etc. They are a norm for many people, age not a factor. In this norm there are various levels of norms that shift the way gamers interact in these environments and social contexts.
From the market constraint we can understand that video games have and will continue to create access. The availability of and share games and their platforms has created a billion dollar industry that may not slow down, thus fueling the norm constraint.
Laws that impact gaming come in the form of the gaming ratings, separating the content available to gamers by age and maturity. This also drives market and norms because it spreads the availability of games and also creates anticipation of games that then drives market.
Architecture influences heavily in the gaming community. The way games are played and the challenges that incorporate games through their coded structure enable the gamers behavior and influence the routine these people perform while playing.
It seems that the question for he future is how to safely separate and keep our real life and gaming life coherent and relevant from any type of addiction. Can we live in two worlds simultaneously, or will one consume the other eventually? As this phenomenon evolves it will come from regulating law and how people immerse in these secondary worlds. The way norms are perceived may have to be erected through law guiding the way a secondary life is maintained. I undertsand the violation of rights this might pose, but by the time this issue arises who knows how life may actually be in the world.
Video games are not a new phenomenon and are now embedded in the culture of most people’s lives. Whether you are a hard- core gamer with every gaming system wired to your television or the casual gamer playing on your I-phone during your lunch break, video games are part of the common adult, teen, and children’s world. But that is where a new emerging problem is starting to evolve, are video games part of your world, or a new entirely secondary world you live in? Have video games come to a point of consuming the everyday life of people and create addictions that complicate their normal lives?
Video game addiction is a starting to create serious attention, people have died, have had complications in their lives, and have had their lives crash as a result of playing games. The main question at hand is whether or not there is a true case to label it “addiction”. The flip side of the problem is that video games create a secondary world that when managed properly create a secondary, or complementary positive world for people; socially and emotionally.\
In the current news story and article, “Hook it to my Veins: Can Video Gaming be an Addiction?”, we are presented with this scenario. The main them surrounding the issue is that true addiction is clinically defined at the point were the activity you are involved with starts to interfere with your regular routine and daily activities. The basic analogy is whether you are dedicating more time to playing a game versus doing the dishes. Where is the point where your personal hygiene is impacted negatively by not doing dishes because you are too busy playing games. Te article does site the rare case where people have died or have had health related problems because they neglected their everyday life and were consumed by playing games. The consensus from the article is that video gaming is not an addiction, more along the lines as an escape or mental break from real life. One may be consumed for a period of time by gaming, but you own conscious eventually makes you feel guilty of neglecting your real life. This psychological dichotomy is the so to speak break point from becoming addicted and just truly enjoying the game and “hooked” in its challenges.
The problem at least from this articles point of view is not a problem of addiction, that has to be diagnosed individually, and by health professionals. The problem here may be whether you decide to live in the real world or in the video gaming world. By living in the video gaming world you forge and harbor relationships that have disconnects from those similar relationships you would have in real life. So analysis and research needs to be conducted about social gaming and the meaning you put behind the community you build in this secondary world.
From the perspective of the four constraints, video game addiction is “regulated” (Lessig 2006). The most influential constraint would come from norms. Video games have continually gained more interest since their inception as they have evolved in context, entertainment, and access.
Games can be found in a myriad of media and technological outlets, they represent a form of entertainment just like film, television, literature, etc. They are a norm for many people, age not a factor. In this norm there are various levels of norms that shift the way gamers interact in these environments and social contexts.
From the market constraint we can understand that video games have and will continue to create access. The availability of and share games and their platforms has created a billion dollar industry that may not slow down, thus fueling the norm constraint.
Laws that impact gaming come in the form of the gaming ratings, separating the content available to gamers by age and maturity. This also drives market and norms because it spreads the availability of games and also creates anticipation of games that then drives market.
Architecture influences heavily in the gaming community. The way games are played and the challenges that incorporate games through their coded structure enable the gamers behavior and influence the routine these people perform while playing.
It seems that the question for he future is how to safely separate and keep our real life and gaming life coherent and relevant from any type of addiction. Can we live in two worlds simultaneously, or will one consume the other eventually? As this phenomenon evolves it will come from regulating law and how people immerse in these secondary worlds. The way norms are perceived may have to be erected through law guiding the way a secondary life is maintained. I undertsand the violation of rights this might pose, but by the time this issue arises who knows how life may actually be in the world.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
chapter 1 and 2
Chapter one highlights the future of organizational structure and business conduct. The main highlight was the evolution from a command and conrtrol functionality to a coordinate and cultivate functionality. This transition will help to effectively manage the decentalized organization and flux through the its continuum of centralization factors. This type of organized performance creates value which propels organzioations to enrich their productivity and organizational structures. It laso allows for more integrated input from all parites involved in the organizational structure, once agaoin promoting decentralized eadership to effectively adhere to efficiency and rooted constructs.
Chapter two outlines the historical progress of society organizizng and cretaing these layers of centralization and decentralization. Admist this whole process the key evolutionary step was communication and the spreading/control of information. The pattern that evolved was one that pushed society into choices of freedom and the opportunity for economic satbility. The tradeoffs at each point on time weighed the decison making and organizational structure of society and its evolution. The choices that govern today stress democratic principle which was the paradigm shift that created a radical new way to organize. This pattern can be used to follow the evolution of future information spread and organizational structures.
I am completely new to Twitter and Facebook and Blogging. They seem useful tools in information sharing and posting. It does seem to stray heavily into mainstream pop culture and "hollywood" which can be useful in its own way. I enjoy communicating through the internet, usually by e-mail, but Twitter seems more of a public domain and allows a perspective into the private lives of people. The amount you share I guess depends on you. Facebook seems to a resouceful domain in whch you can become intertwined into a network of useful conections with people, jobs, and information gathering. Blogs are interesting, they seem to provide quick glimpses into the way people feel on a myriad of issues, very opininated, but can be useful in forming one;s own ideas. All Three mediums are widely used and have pushed information and communication worlwide to a new stage in which connectivity is a always a computer screen away. It seems to fit into the readings inwhich it allows evryone input into their respective organization, in these realms it can beas local as your family or as grand as the entire world. I look forward to interacting more with thesetools and exploring their compatibility.
Chapter two outlines the historical progress of society organizizng and cretaing these layers of centralization and decentralization. Admist this whole process the key evolutionary step was communication and the spreading/control of information. The pattern that evolved was one that pushed society into choices of freedom and the opportunity for economic satbility. The tradeoffs at each point on time weighed the decison making and organizational structure of society and its evolution. The choices that govern today stress democratic principle which was the paradigm shift that created a radical new way to organize. This pattern can be used to follow the evolution of future information spread and organizational structures.
I am completely new to Twitter and Facebook and Blogging. They seem useful tools in information sharing and posting. It does seem to stray heavily into mainstream pop culture and "hollywood" which can be useful in its own way. I enjoy communicating through the internet, usually by e-mail, but Twitter seems more of a public domain and allows a perspective into the private lives of people. The amount you share I guess depends on you. Facebook seems to a resouceful domain in whch you can become intertwined into a network of useful conections with people, jobs, and information gathering. Blogs are interesting, they seem to provide quick glimpses into the way people feel on a myriad of issues, very opininated, but can be useful in forming one;s own ideas. All Three mediums are widely used and have pushed information and communication worlwide to a new stage in which connectivity is a always a computer screen away. It seems to fit into the readings inwhich it allows evryone input into their respective organization, in these realms it can beas local as your family or as grand as the entire world. I look forward to interacting more with thesetools and exploring their compatibility.
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