Blog Post #6 EOTO Key Post

Motion Pictures: The Invention That Changed Communication

Motion pictures are one of the most influential communication technologies in history. What began as an attempt to capture movement on film eventually transformed entertainment, education, journalism, and culture. Today, movies reach audiences across the globe and continue to shape how people understand the world around them. 

The invention of motion pictures was not the achievement of a single individual. Instead, multiple inventors contributed to the development of the technology. One of the earliest breakthroughs came in 1878 when photographer Eadweard Muybridge captured a series of images showing a horse in motion. His work demonstrated that still photographs could be arranged to create the illusion of movement. 

Building on these ideas, Thomas Edison and his assistant W.K.L. Dickson developed the Kinetograph camera and the Kinetoscope viewing machine during the early 1890s. These inventions allowed moving images to be recorded and viewed. Although these technologies were important, they were designed primarily for individual viewing. 

A major turning point occurred in 1895 when Auguste and Louis Lumière introduced the Cinématographe. Unlike earlier devices, it could record, develop, and project films to large audiences. Their public screenings in Paris helped launch the modern film industry and established motion pictures as a new form of mass communication. 

The inventors of motion picture technology were attempting to solve a simple problem: how to capture and display movement. Before movies existed, photographs could only preserve a single moment in time. Motion pictures allowed people to record events, replay experiences, and tell stories in ways that had never been possible before. 

The impact of motion pictures was immediate and far-reaching. Movies quickly became one of the world's most popular forms of entertainment. Audiences could experience stories, emotions, and perspectives without attending live performances. As film technology improved, movies became accessible to people across different countries and cultures.

Motion pictures also changed communication. Unlike books and newspapers, films combined visual images, sound, and storytelling to deliver messages. This allowed complex ideas to be communicated more effectively and emotionally. Governments, educators, and organizations began using film to educate citizens, provide training, and raise awareness about important social issues. 

Despite these benefits, movies have also created ethical concerns. Throughout film history, certain movies have promoted stereotypes and misrepresented groups of people. These portrayals have sometimes influenced public attitudes and reinforced harmful biases. As a result, filmmakers and audiences continue to debate the ethical responsibility of media creators. 

Another concern involves the use of film as propaganda. Because movies are highly persuasive, governments and organizations have occasionally used them to influence public opinion. Questions about media influence remain especially relevant in communications law and ethics discussions today. 

Concerns about violence, censorship, and copyright have also emerged as the film industry grew. Debates over what content should be shown, how creators' work should be protected, and who controls media distribution continue to shape legal and ethical conversations surrounding motion pictures. 

More than a century after their invention, motion pictures remain a powerful communication tool. They entertain, educate, and influence audiences worldwide. While ethical challenges continue to exist, the invention of motion pictures fundamentally changed how people share information, tell stories, and connect with one another. Their lasting impact demonstrates why film remains one of the most important communication technologies ever created.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I was tasked with creating a presentation script and then develop a blog post from that presentation that was also helped created by AI. I asked Copilot to help transform that presentation script into a blog post improving the text by correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources, as well as appropriate images and captions

Blog Post #5 Where Are the Antiwar Articles?

Anti-Vietnam War Movement 1963-1973

I had the opportunity to deep dive into two websites, focusing on the anit-war movement. I have never heard of these websites until today. Why are these websites not more well known? I believe that I have grown up learning about the repercussions of war and how it contributes to economic destruction, mass human death, political strain, and damage to the environment. Learning about these causes and issues while growing up has caused me to become very anti-war and I think that goes for a lot of my generation (Gen Z).

Looking into the two articles Antiwar.com and The American Conversation. You can see that they challenge the ideal of pro war and the interventionist foreign policy. Specifically Antiwar.com dives deeper into their mission as promoting non-interventionism and going against military intervention. The American Conservative began as an opposition to the Iraq war and still has publishing writers speaking out for “realism and restraint”. 

However, traditional media organizations do not specifically stay tied to a single foreign policy position, and their topics are fit around what’s trending, what will be considered newsworthy, timelines/deadlines, and what the audience wants to see. Government officials have the “right” to influence what these traditional media organizations can post and write about.

A reason to me why these voices and activists feel hidden from the public is that we just aren't searching hard enough for them. We want to consume our media the easiest way. We want to have it thrown in our faces whether that's via social media, television, the radio, etc. Getting your sources and information only through this way can cause you to only believe there is one side to something. We do not get to see the broader media and what is really out there for us to consume. 

Whether your information comes from a mainstream, traditional media organization or through a smaller less known outlet doesn't make one any more or less right or wrong. The stereotypes on the people speaking out on antiwar is what's causing it to be pushed to the side and not taken more seriously from other generations. 

Blog Post #4: Privacy Online and Off

Privacy is something many people expect in their daily lives, but our class discussion showed how much personal information can be collected and stored. The video and discussion made me think about how privacy issues affect me, my family, and the choices we make every day.

One issue that stood out to me is how the government can collect information through license plate readers and cell phone tower pings. According to our discussion, these systems can reveal where people are at a given time. Learning this made me realize that information about my movements and the movements of my family can be stored and accessed later if needed.

This concerns me because it feels like a loss of privacy. The idea that images of my family and me can be held by the government while we are driving makes me question how much personal information is being collected without our direct involvement.

Our discussion also introduced the concept of a contract of adhesion. A contract of adhesion is a contract in which one party holds all the power. Understanding this term helped me think about how individuals may have limited control when agreeing to certain services or policies. Another topic we discussed was data mining. Data mining can occur through user-generated information, tracking malware, and deep packet inspection. These methods show how personal information can be gathered from different sources and used in ways many people may not fully understand.

We also talked about digital dossiers and behavioral marketing. These concepts demonstrate how information about individuals can be collected and organized, creating detailed records that may influence how organizations interact with people. The third-party doctrine was another important topic. This doctrine states that when a person voluntarily gives information to a second party, they give up control over how a third party may use that information later. This idea raises important questions about who owns personal information and how much control individuals truly have over their data.

I believe the government should listen more closely to public concerns about privacy. If people feel uncomfortable with certain forms of data collection, their opinions should be considered when decisions are made about these practices. I also think citizens should make their concerns known to state governments. By bringing privacy issues to elected officials, people can encourage discussions about potential changes and improvements that may help address these concerns.

Overall, this discussion helped me better understand the privacy challenges that exist both online and offline. It also made me think more carefully about how personal information is collected, stored, and used, and what role citizens can play in advocating for greater privacy protections.

Watch Video Here

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching two five minute ted talk videos about the importance of privacy online. In addition to facts that I learned. I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources, as well as appropriate images and captions.

Blog Post #3: Eight Values of Free Expression

The Eight Values of Free Expression all have important ideas and values that contribute to the importance of the First Amendment in today's society. After speaking about these ideas more in depth in class I found I connect the most with the fourth and seventh values, Individual Fulfillment and Promote Innovations. I feel as though these two values go hand in hand because of the creative aspect of both of them. In today’s society people are constantly expressing themselves and their views on the political climate in creative ways. Whether that be protests, art work, music, ect. I feel as though these ideas not only resonate with me personally but with the rest of the country and more specifically my generation. 

I would say my generation (Gen Z) would be considered a creative generation and in the sense we are not afraid to use our creativity as our voice and speak on things that we believe in. It is important for us to use our voice and contribute to the conversations in the world today. Having protests, art work, music, ect. be the way we speak out can grab attention from more people who don't necessarily connect with the political climate of today or even understand what's going on. By voicing your concerns creatively it can be easier for some people to understand and grasp the weight of the situation. 

Individual Self-Fulfillment is the idea of being able to express yourself and create your own identity through the process of personal growth and opinion. Speaking out allows you to shape your own life and advocate for personal, social, or political improvements. Being able to do this in a creative way can encourage people to speak out and share their opinions. This also encourages people to find themselves creatively while contributing to very important discussions. 

Promote Innovation gives you the community where free speech is valued and protected in the sense of a more lively, energized, creative and interesting society as its citizens actively fulfill themselves in diverse and creative ways. It gives people the space to speak out on what they believe in in a more creative outlook. You are using your right of freedom of speech in an innovative way. This can be manifested with online posting, art, music, protesting etc. 

As someone who is going to be entering the creative world such as social media I resonate with the idea of using your right of freedom of speech in a creative outlook. Whether that be on a social platform or in the manifestation of art work or entertainment.  This is something that is very important to today’s world. For the most part everyone gets their information from some form of an online platform. It is important that you target your outreach creatively and something that will resonate with your target audience.

Blog Post #1: My Top 5 News Sources

1. Google

Google is my main source of news and information. It is the first place I go when I need a question answered or want to learn more about a topic. I use it for personal tasks, such as learning how to build a shelf or hang a TV, as well as for school research and digging deeper into stories I see on social media.

What I like most about Google is that it gives me access to many different sources in one place. I would recommend it because it is easy to use and allows anyone to find information quickly. However, it is still important to verify that the sources you find are credible.

2. TikTok

I use TikTok as a source of news when I want information that is quick and easy to consume. It is simple to search for a topic and find hundreds of short videos discussing that subject. I also find it helpful because it often presents different perspectives on the same story or news event.

While TikTok can be a useful starting point, I recognize that it is not always the most reliable source of information. Anyone can create content; it is important to be careful when using TikTok as a source, especially for school assignments.

3. Apple News

I often use Apple News, sometimes without even planning to. Apple regularly sends me notifications about major news stories, and I usually read them in the morning, either before getting out of bed or while getting ready for the day.

I like Apple News because it keeps me informed about current events, especially politics and major world news. It is a convenient way to stay updated without having to search for news myself.

4. YouTube

YouTube is another important source of information for me because it allows me to listen to podcasts and watch videos while studying, driving, or getting ready for the day. It is useful for both personal interests and school-related work.

I use YouTube almost every day, and many of my professors assign videos through the platform. Since anyone can upload content, I always try to check the credibility of the information before relying on it.

5. CNN

CNN is one of the sources I use for credible news coverage. It is easy to access online or on television, and it provides written articles, video clips, international news, and live updates.

I especially notice CNN during election seasons when it provides continuous coverage of debates, campaign updates, and major political events. I would recommend CNN to anyone looking for a reliable source of national and international news.

Blog Post #2: Supreme Court Reflection

The U.S. Supreme Court is the most powerful in the world.

What I Learned About the U.S. Supreme Court

After watching this video, I realized there was a lot about the Supreme Court that I did not know. One of the first things that surprised me was learning that there have been only a little over 100 Supreme Court justices throughout the Court’s history. I was also surprised to learn that many justices serve for long periods of time, often around 16 years.

Another thing I did not know was that the President nominates future Supreme Court justices. While I knew new justices had to be selected somehow, I had never really thought about the process or how important that decision is.

Our Supreme Court Justices

One of the most interesting points in the video was how long it takes for a justice to become comfortable within the Court. I was shocked to learn that it can take years before justices truly settle into their roles and perform at their best. That idea made me realize how much experience and adjustment are involved in such an important position.

The video also taught me about John Marshall and his impact on the Supreme Court. I did not know that he played such a major role in increasing respect for the Court and helping establish it as a powerful institution.

Another surprising fact was learning about the Dred Scott case, which was described as the Court’s dreadful wound. I also learned that the Fourteenth Amendment is sometimes viewed as a second Bill of Rights because of its influence, controversy, and legal impact.

What impressed me most was the level of respect the justices show one another. Even when they strongly disagree, they share the same overall objective and respect differing opinions. I was especially surprised to learn that every justice shakes hands with the others before discussions begin. This tradition helps create a clean slate and sets a respectful tone for their work.

Inside the Supreme Court 

The video also changed the way I view the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. I learned that the Court receives more than 100 new cases each week but accepts only a small number for review. The justices meet regularly to discuss cases, and every case receives individual consideration. I was also surprised to learn that most justices already have a strong idea of how they will decide a case before formal discussions begin.

Overall, the biggest takeaway for me is that the Supreme Court relies on thoughtful discussion, respect, and careful review to carry out its responsibilities.

AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a 20 minute video about the history of the Supreme Court. In addition to facts that I learned. I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources, as well as appropriate images and captions

Watch the Video: