$1.75- Holy Water, Snickers, or the Price of Convenience?

I go to the library almost every day. Routine calls for a stop at the vending machine to snag a Diet Coke before claiming my cubicle. Today, while on my way there with my boyfriend, we contemplated stopping at CVS to pick up sodas beforehand; however, to avoid another stop and wasting precious study time, we opted to use the vending machines instead, a quick and convenient option to satisfy my habitual pre-study caffeine craving. Not knowing it at the time, but my appreciation for the library vending machines actually fueled my interest when contemplating today’s blog. Asked to examine the most significant technology of a specific time period, the 2^nd century caught my eye when in the time line of great technology appeared two words I know and love- vending machine.

When we think of technology, so many of us restrict our thoughts to the last few centuries. Technology is often mistaken as a futuristic concept-- what on earth would the 2^nd century know about technology? You’re right, Heron of Alexandria (great mathematician and engineer c. 10-70 A.D) did not use a calculator, research on the internet, or leisurely read via his Kindle, but the existence of technology certainly cannot be discarded. We had to start somewhere, right?

The vending machine is not technology I consider significant because it changed the world and opened the door for an influx of influential creations. Actually, for many it’s probably not significant at all. However, technology is not always about public appeal, but concept. To create successful technology, one must make a judgment on society and predict what they will find useful, entertaining and perhaps necessary. Are instant Snickers significant today? No. Is the appreciation for self-service, convenience and accessibility? Absolutely. Second century life was not conducive to convenience and accessibility, making Heron of Alexandria, the creator of the first vending machine, a true conceptual genius.

The first vending machine worked a little something like this: One inserted a coin and when the machine accepted it, out came a fixed amount of holy water. When the coin was deposited, it landed on a pan attached to a lever which opened upon impact and allowed the water to flow. The water continued to flow until the coin fell off, turning off the valve.

So maybe Heron’s machine didn’t let out Snickers and Sprite, but the concepts of self-service, convenience, and accessibility are absolutely apparent. When looking at current technology like iPods, laptops, and cell phones, these three concepts still hold their ground. The 2^nd century vending machine, thousands of years ago, nailed societies wants and needs before anyone even knew what a Kindle was.

Mind you, it’s not as if Heron created the first vending machine and civilizations everywhere suddenly had their nuts and berries dispensed from a lever upon depositing a coin. The vending machine actually did not arise again as a prominent part of society until the Industrial Age, specifically London in 1880. When researching the first vending machine, the results often claim that the first coin-depositing vending machine was created in 1888 by Thomas Adams Gun Company. This may be the first emergence in centuries (and centuries and centuries), but technically, not true.

With this in mind, Heron’s vending machine acquires that much more significance. Even with centuries without use, his original concept withstood the test of time. Eighteen centuries ago, a man recognized the human desire for self-service, convenience, and accessibility that exist today; this reflects an amazing understanding of society, the purpose of technology and the concepts it must behold in order to be a success, which to me, is what technology is all about.
　
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5433820/heron_of_alexandria.html
Click the link above for more information on Heron's other ideas/inventions and early modern concepts.

http://kottke.org/10/10/the-first-vending-machine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vending_machine
　
Mallory.
　

U.S. Technology aides Congo Genocide

War in the Congo has served as a huge distraction in the region providing a convoluted depiction of what is truly taking place within the country. Disabling many international spectators from easily recognizing the active roles their nations have within the conflict. It has now been documented that throughout Congo's genocide the United States covertly provided arms, training, as well as military aide that facilitated this genocide. The U.S. Department of State's Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research claims that:

Small arms, ammunition, and other military supplies made within the continent also have played a significant role in these troubled areas. The government-owned Zimbabwe Defense Industries (ZDI) has profited considerably from the DROC conflict. ZDI provided about $250 million worth of arms to the ADFL (the Kabila-led armed force) during its 1996-97 campaign against Mobutu. Within the first few months of the current round of fighting, which began in August 1998, ZDI supplied Kabila with more than $90 million in arms. The DROC reportedly will repay ZDI with revenues from future mineral production.

Mobutu was President, known to some as a dictator, of Zaire before it become D.R. of Congo since 1965 till his death in 1997. After, his death President Kabila came into power. They both seem to have amicable relations with the U.S. Presidents during their terms. Former Presidents George Bush Sr. and William Clinton received the "Freedom Award" for their "humanitarian" efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, it was during their terms as Presidents, the violence in Congo not only began but was the most violent.

Meanwhile, The World Policy Institute reported:
Major Findings

* Finding 1 – Due to the continuing legacies of its Cold War policies toward Africa, the U.S. bears some responsibility for the cycles of violence and economic problems plaguing the continent. Throughout the Cold War (1950-1989), the U.S. delivered over $1.5 billion worth of weaponry to Africa. Many of the top U.S. arms clients – Liberia, Somalia, the Sudan, and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC) – have turned out to be the top basket cases of the 1990s in terms of violence, instability, and economic collapse.

* Finding 2 – The ongoing civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) is a prime example of the devastating legacy of U.S. arms sales policy on Africa. The U.S. prolonged the rule of Zairian dictator Mobutu Sese Soko by providing more than $300 million in weapons and $100 million in military training. Mobutu used his U.S.-supplied arsenal to repress his own people and plunder his nation’s economy for three decades, until his brutal regime was overthrown by Laurent Kabila’s forces in 1997. When Kabila took power, the Clinton administration quickly offered military support by developing a plan for new training operations with the armed forces.






This kind of action has been taking place throughout the current conflict, as well as prior to Congo's independence from Belgium in 1968. The United States provided all the tools necessary to protect its interests in Congo, which included large shares of the minerals being extracted. The incredible violence occurring in the region and the skeleton of an infrastructure Congo has for a government. This all seems to provide sufficient justification for why the region is suffering. Many do not take the time to wonder past the obvious and seek answers on why this genocide is occurring? Because of this, they fail to see how involved their nations are in providing the very tools being used to kill millions. The technological advances taking place in countries such as the U.S. have increased the value of D.R. Congo to other Western powers, due to the obvious advantageous of the mineral wealthy nation. Various minerals we use every day such as one of the most significant: Coltan. Coltan is essential to the production of cell phones and other high-tech electronics.

Coltan, is found in three-billion-year-old soils, like those in the Rift Valley region of Africa. The tantalum extracted from the coltan ore is used to make tantalum capacitors, tiny components that are essential in managing the flow of current in electronic devices. Eighty percent of the world’s coltan reserves are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Major multinational corporations have been linked to the atrocities in Congo. Many of these companies realized what was at stake when Congo received its freedom. Congo’s lack of infrastructure at the time facilitated these companies and their nations in seizing control of Congo’s natural resources by sponsoring the conflict that kept Congo too occupied to recognize as well as act upon the exploitation taking place within the nation.


Sources:
http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/congo.htm

http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/congo.htm

http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/5-high-tech-genocide-in-congo/

http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/02/over-five-million-dead-in-congo-fifteen-hundred-people-daily/

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7957

Technology's Crack Down on Crime

Technology is ever changing; each day we are closer to curing some disease or creating a new computer program that will simplify people’s lives even more. But advances in science and personal computers are not the only great things technology does for us. In many cases, technology means safety. Crime rate has definitely decreased due to implementing technological advances as if part of the law enforcement work force.

Take video surveillance cameras such as ones in convenient stores, banks, hospitals, and public bathrooms. Just the thought of being caught on camera doing something illegal would stop me dead in my tracks. In July of this year surveillance cameras helped Tampa law enforcement catch a $64,000 jewelry robbery by pointing the law enforcement in the direction of fingerprints of the criminal.

Metal detectors also help prevent crime for everyday civilians. Many high schools have implemented the use of metal detectors. I know the high school in my town could have used them due to all the bomb threats and kids bringing knives into the building. But let’s consider the slightly bigger picture of airport security. They use metal detectors and although they are a hassle and slow down the process of getting to your plane quickly, I personally feel safer entering a plane after I know every passenger is forced to be scanned for weaponry.

Cell phones can also be great tracking devices. Technology now makes it possible to track a cell phone like a GPS. So maybe those crime investigation shows are somewhat right; keeping that perpetrator on the phone while the local law enforcement traces the call can help prevent other murders, or any other sort of crime from happening. I must admit it is a little eerie to think someone can trace my very whereabouts due to the calls I make on my cell phone but as long as it’s not my parents doing the tracking I think I’m okay with it.

Video cameras and metal detectors are great but let’s focus for a second on what’s going on in our own backyard. Our very own Drew University recently installed card swipes in order to get into buildings that won’t let you in past midnight unless it’s your own residence hall. Although this may cause severe frustration when you try to go visit a friend at night in the freezing cold and you have to wait then minutes for her to let you in and of course you left your jacket in her room because you’d only be gone for a minute… it does protect us from unwanted visitors. I know I sleep better knowing we have that type of security.

Although technology can sometimes be a hassle, in the case of crime prevention, it’s a hassle we should all be willing to put up with. I hate waiting in line at the airport but if that means I won't be attacked while trying to watch my in-flight movie, I’m okay with that. If that means I have to walk around with a cold the night after being locked out of my friend’s dorm, well at least I don’t have to worry about unwanted intruders. So technology may have its ups and downs but in terms of protecting the well being of common citizens, I would say it’s doing a great job with its advances.

Catch Me if You Can- The Colton Harris-Moore Story

Catch me if you can......

“Colton Harris-Moore is a real life 21^st century out-law.” At 19, he is a serial criminal with two years of consistent break-ins and thefts. He’s traveled the country stealing cars, planes (yes, planes-- and crash landing them), boats, and breaking into people’s luxurious vacation homes to spend the night. His calling card was white chalk footprints he left as a way of marking his territory. This, and his habit of removing his shoes before every crime, deemed him the “Barefoot Burglar.”

Relative to other serial criminals, Moore seems harmless. Annoying, disrespectful, and lacking morals for sure, but otherwise devoid of the brutality and violence of other crimes. Think Scott Peterson, OJ Simpson, Charles Manson, etc. Moore is a far cry from being compared to these cold-blooded killers, but his story has achieved the same caliber of coverage and the same caliber of fame. How? The internet.

Unlike Scott Peterson etc., Moore’s story was only covered on the news and in periodicals briefly. He never became the poster-child for tabloids, the cover story of People Magazine, or headlining news days in a row. Despite the media’s menial coverage of the “21^st century Jesse James,” the internet never fails. Professor Silverman mentioned last class that without technology we can only shout so far, but with the internet our voices are much louder. This is what happened to Moore.

The adventurous nature of Moore’s crime spree attracted an influx of followers which soon called themselves ‘fans.” Because the general public seemed either unaware or uninterested in Moore, the internet became the means of his fame. Websites supporting donations for his legal fees when finally caught were created. Facebook (surprise, surprise!) had a fan page. ColtonaHarrisMooreFanClub.com emerged. T-shirts were even made! The internet turned Moore’s crimes into victories and soon Moore was considered a hero. The internet sensationalized and glorified Moore by manipulating his spree into a story of an outlaw instead of a disturbed young man.

Moore’s story is unusual and without the internet, would perhaps slip under the radar. Some of you may ask why this matters? Well it matters for several reasons.

First, it is important to see why people were so invested in Moore. I believe the mystery of police's inability to catch him was the point of appeal. Because this story was not top news, the internet chronicled his adventures, allowing the public to continue following Moore’s every move, intrigued as to where he would once again fool the police.

It is also no secret that public support is often helpful when facing criminal charges. Moore’s publicity gained him recognition from a California lawyer who offered to represent him free of charge if only he turned himself in. Without the internet, this would never have happened as Moore's publicity would be little to none.

On the other hand, Moore’s publicity somewhat threw him under the bus. With his picture plastered on the web, blogs, chat rooms, and Facebook, Moore became much more vulnerable. His brief mentioning on the news was not enough coverage to make the whole country aware of his antics, unlike other crime sprees that sparked national distress. This was obviously due to the benign nature of Moore’s crimes. However, coverage on the internet is not a 1 minute clip on TV- it is a permanent mark. People became aware of Moore through his internet exposure. One bounty hunter even offered his services free of charge because he had seen Moore’s case online.

Technology gives people power. In this case, Moore’s identity as a hero, fame as a criminal, and ultimate demise were products of the internet. Technology took this story by the reigns and allowed Moore to achieve status he would otherwise never achieve. As previously discussed, there were pros and cons. However, the internet in this case is proof that technology can greatly aid in the encouragement of a criminal and for Moore, eventual demise.

Colton Harris-Moore, Internet Legend, was caught in the Bahamas on July 10, 2010. Gawker deems him one of the ‘greatest criminals of our time.’ Is this because his crimes were so crafty? Perhaps… but the internet was absolutely a main player in the rise and fall of Colton Harris-Moore.

Mallory.

　
　

U.S. Technology Facilitates Chilean Mine Ordeal

Technology is not always about computers, mobile devices, or other clever gadgets the technological advancement of this decade has brought about. Technology is also about the complex mechanisms that foster and facilitate small tasks like everyday chores to large tasks like liberating 33 Chilean miners from the depths of the Earth’s crust. It was an amazing sensation to witness the first successful rescuing of one of the 33 trapped Chilean miners, who had been stuck about 2,000 feet below the Earth. Just to give an illusion of how far that is depth wise here is a mind boggling chart that compares the depth of the mine to some of the world’s tallest man made buildings.



The rescue effort behind the Chilean mine disaster has given the United States an opportunity to establish a monumental political stance. The fact that American engineers, and various other professionals are taking part in the rescue effort in a regime that has long rivaled the United States for its attitude towards Latin America’s progress as a whole, adds a positive aspect to the complex political relation between the two regimes. This has largely been made possible by the various technological capabilities our country has to offer. NASA officials offered council and advice to a Chilean engineers working alongside American engineers from the U.S. Both countries were able to come up with a plan that would rescue the men in almost half of the 4 months that had been estimated. This kind of situation provides the illusion of possible peaceful negotiations and trade agreements in the future for both countries, seeing the possibility of being able to work well in one field hopefully can lead to others. Thanks to technology we not only witnessed the aide provided by the U.S. worldwide but we also saw the vital role the aide played in warming Latin American sentiments towards Americans. This bestows further significance to the ordeal, in terms of historical and political context; Latin American sentiments towards the U.S. have been mostly negative. Since the early 19th century vis-a-vis the imperialistic role the U.S. took on during that time to contemporary issues today with security, terrorism and immigration, the U.S. has not been excessively concerned with its overall appearance to its Latin American global partners. As I witnessed U.S.-Chilean Company Geotec Boyles Bros. operate the first drill to reach the miners, I realized the importance this technology personified in terms of U.S. and Latin American relations. To be able to observe how technology allowed two nations to look beyond their differences and work together for a greater purpose says more than what could be put in words of how society benefits from technology at large.


sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/12/gergen.miners/?hpt=T2

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/08/26/graphic.chile.mine/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

How an iPad could help in Education and Assist Those Who Have Learning Disabilities

My three brothers and I have all been tested and diagnosed with learning disabilities, also known as a learning difference.  We all went to a middle school that only taught children that have been diagnosed with a learning disability.  One of the schools requirements for all students at the school is to make sure everyone had a laptop and they learn effective ways on how it can help you in the future and once you leave the school.  At the Eagle Hill School, in Greenwich Connecticut laptops play a large part in teaching and learning.  It gives the students the chance to learn at an early age how to research things the right way, how to type a paper on a computer, and how to organize.  Being taught how to use a computer is a lesson in itself.  Being a person that has a learning difference it is hard to keep up with the regular population of students that do not have a learning disability, and I now see that the Eagle Hill School was the best choice of schooling that my parents could have picked for my brothers and I.  If it wasn’t for the technology and teachings that I learned from Eagle Hill School I believe that I would not have been able to make it this far in school, and would never have had the techniques to use today. 


Check out this video of a real class using iPads

Eagle Hill School Mission Statement

Eagle Hill is a language-based, remedial program committed to educating children with learning disabilities. The curriculum is individualized, interdisciplinary, and transitional in nature. A secure, structured, nurturing environment supports and stimulates the development of the whole child. As a result, children learn to view themselves as competent individuals with a strong sense of self.

In an environment that recognizes and  embraces diversity, Eagle Hill teaches children an array of strategies and skills to manage their learning disabilities effectively at school and at home. Eagle Hill helps children gain the self-esteem necessary to initiate, nurture and maintain friendships. Inherent in the Eagle Hill philosophy is development of children with strong moral and ethical character.

Children leave Eagle Hill with confidence in their academic abilities, a true belief in their worth as human beings, and the strategies necessary to meet the challenges of their new school and social settings.

 (Information used from http://www.eaglehillschool.org/)

I believe that a laptop is very similar to a tablet and can accomplish many of the same tasks.  In relating to the reason why technology is used at the Eagle Hill School, I believe that the schools that are willing to use iPad’s as a way to teach and help students learn will be successful and an enormous step in education. 

This is a statement from the main website of the Eagle Hill School, this explains exactly why the school feel technology is important and helps students with learning differences learn on the same level as those without disabilities. 

Technology at Eagle Hill

The marriage of directed instruction and technology has proven to be a powerful tool for both students and faculty at Eagle Hill. Technology has been clearly shown to enhance both initial learning of content and retention of content information over time. The mission of Eagle Hill’s Technology Department is to continue to foster a technology program that provides teachers with ‘cutting edge’ technology products and continued support and training to enhance student learning. Classroom curriculum joined together with technology have allowed faculty to have increased tools for addressing different learning styles

Computer use in the classroom is meant to supplement, not replace, direct instruction. Teachers are facilitators who utilize new instructional methods and strategies made possible through the use of technology. To be effective, the curriculum must drive the technology program, not vice versa. Students learn the basic skills necessary to use computers independently by participating in project based learning throughout their classes.

Currently at Eagle Hill every classroom teacher is provided with a laptop computer. All campus computers have wireless access throughout the school to the network and all network services.

A laptop program has been in place in the upper school since 1998. Three mobile laptop labs and two traditional computer labs are spread across the campus.

(Information used from (http://www.eaglehillschool.org/)

In thinking hard and long about how a tablet or an iPad will be able to become successfully used in an educational atmosphere I have determined that the largest aspect in sing tablets in schools will help students with learning differences or learning disabilities (LD).  One of my accommodations like many others that have LD is the right to use a computer to take notes.  Personally it makes it much easier to organize thoughts and notes on a computer other then using a pencil and paper.  I have also in the past have read books on tape that made me carry around a bulky headset and tape deck and all the tapes that went with the books.  Now that it is easier to buy or rent books on iTunes, there are applications that can read the material to you making it much easier for someone like me to understand, highlight important information, and pronounce important parts of the reading. 

Here are some of the applications that can be helpful to not only students with learning disabilities but other students also. 

Proloquo2Go is a communication application that allows a child to communicate with pictures.  This application can be bought for an iPad or an iPad that lets a student communicate with pictures.  This is a useful application because it allows a student or child to carry a smaller piece of equipment.  It will most importantly help students with fine motor difficulties

Model Me Going Places is another great application, which helps with behavioral problems.  It is an application that shows a slide show of children displaying appropriate behavior.  It will be and has been helpful with children that have autism or behavioral issues in and out of the school environments.

I Write Words is an application that helps children practice writing letters, numbers, and words.  This will help with motor skills, which is a large part of some children that have been diagnosed with a specific learning disability.  It allows a kid to trace a letter on the iPad with their finger, and helps them with writing skills, and helps children that have bad handwriting skills or difficulties writing with a pencil/pen.

Screen Shot of the App. I Write Words 

Dragon Dictation is an app that allows a person to speak to the iPad and transfer it into an email or send a text message by easily speaking to the iPad.  It can be used with children that have reading or language disabilities, or kids that are not able to write due to a physical disability.  This is considered under the categories of a voice recognition tool or application.  Another reading or text to speech application is Read2me that gives the ability to students to import their own files in to an iPad and it will read the text out loud.  It can be useful for children who are weak readers.

Organization is a large and important tool to learn for someone who has LD.  The application, MyHomework can work with a student to stay organized with assignments or work that they need to do.  I know personally that Eagle Hill emphasized the importance of organization, and even designed a class that everyone in the school need to take that only revolved around teaching us how to stay organized.  This meant that a teacher would assign us with certain assignments such as organizing our calendar and binders.  If they were not organized then we would be given a penalty and be graded on our organization at every level.  This helped to keep track of our progress and I believe that even up to the college level this application can be used effectively homework.

Ideas formed and used from an interview with Andrea Prupus who discusses assistive technology,  (http://nextmontreal.com/assistive-technology-helps-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-interview-with-andrea-prupas/) 

I have had a lot of thoughts and ideas about tablets and iPad's and how cool and fun it would be if it was used in schools.  It would be awesome if a student only needed to buy a tablet such as the iPad where it would have all their textbooks, readings, and everything they needed for class.  A student could take notes in class and even type their papers; there might not even be a need for laptops anymore.  It is much lighter and easier to carry around then book and a regular laptop.  I can think of many applications that a tablet would be great for education, particularly earlier grades.  A tablet with the right software that is designed right there can be great lengths taken into the technology of reading, writing, and math programs.  With a tablet a student could zoom in and out on text, just like reading a book.  By enforcing students to us an iPad it will give students and teachers, instant and personalized access to information, and creating more interest for students and their teachers.  By having both students and teachers using the same exact technology this will give them a chance to have something in common and maybe create a better relationship between student and teacher.  The iPad will also free the users from wires and they will not need to connect to the network because the iPad works wirelessly and on the 3G network.  It lets students and teachers move around much easier and it is much lighter then a laptop.  A large incentive in using the iPad in education is the money that will be saved because there will be no reason to buy textbooks and it will also help the environment because les textbooks will be made.  Finally, the iPad will keep users such as students and teachers up to date with current technology and give them something to talk about other then school work.  It will give them a chance to discuss what new applications are out that may strike interests and may help them with both parties with productivity.  (http://www.ipadinschools.com/).

Here are some examples of schools that the iPad is being used for educational purposes: (http://www.ipadinschools.com/)

Seton Hill University (Pennsylvania) – has commited to giving each of its 2100 full time students an iPad.

George Fox University ­– announced  that it would be giving its new students the choice between a Macbook or an iPad.

Oklahoma State University - will be starting  an iPad initiative with 125 students in five different courses during the fall term.

The University of Maryland - is giving iPad’s to 75 incoming Honors students in the fall.

Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop High School - was the very first high school to give an iPad to each of their 320 students

Northwest Kansas Technical College - is going to give an iPad to every student who registers for the Fall 2010 term – and they will be providing their content via iTunes.

www.Security.com

Why is it that a 17 year old can cause a hacker attack on entire social networking site and not have to face any type of ramification for his actions? Strange much? Well this is what happened earlier this week on Twitter when Pearce Delphin, a seventeen year old school boy from Australia, decided to tweet a piece of "mouse over" JavaScript code. This particular type of code brings up a pop-up window when the user hover their cursors over the message. Soon after he tweeted a few other hackers used the code to redirect users to pornographic sites and create worm tweets that replicated every time they were read and eventually lead to the White House Press Secretary’s feed getting hacked into causing his page to tweet things he never personally tweeted.ahhhhh!!!
1. Australia?? forget National Security we need the an International Internet Police.
2. Why was it so easy for him to simply tweet some Html code (No longer than the required 140 limit to tweet of course)and cause such mayhem?
3. The company seems to feel as thought they are the ONLY ones to blame...why?


I find it ironic that in a society that is so concerned with enhancing security whether it’s national or financial, someone can come along and trespass a personal boundary such as a twitter account and not be held accountable for it. They can also infringe upon the security of another company’s website gaining access to the company’s 145 million registered users and their personal information. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe this kind of matter should not be taken as lightly as it has been. Apparently not to the rest of the world, Twitter claims they will make an effort to revamp and create a more secure website. Rather than taking measures against the culprit that will hold him accountable for his so-called prank. People are taking risks everyday by using technology in attempt to take full advantage of the evolving tools around them that will help facilitate their lives. I believe that it is also time to create and enforce proper security measurements that help reassure these people that whoever tries to threaten their privacy will be dealt with accordingly. The fact that hackers can get away with infringing the personal security of such a vast amount of people and an entire website as a whole is a bit hard to digest. Especially since there are no real "boundaries", we are globally connected to each other via software running on computer's all around the world how do we deal with securing our traveling pieces of personal information??? That however is another topic, I will leave you there until the next post :)

Aisha

Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100922/tc_afp/australiausitcomputersecurityinternettwitter

From Streetcorners to Craigslist....

As if Craigslist isn’t sketchy enough. Apparently they have an adult services section on their site which according to CNN Wire staff, Craigslist has finally made moves to monitor the interactions on its site by “censoring” this section of their site. Craigslist has been accused of promoting prostitution via from their website due to this particular section. "These prostitution ads enable human trafficking and assaults on women," claims Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal who “spearheaded a recent letter from 17 attorneys general urging Craigslist to discontinue its adult services section”(CNN Wire staff).
I think this is very important seeing as Craigslist is a pretty popular website and there have been quite a few attacks and even murders in the past year having to do with encounters arranged via ad’s placed on craigslist’s adult services section. For example the infamous, Craigslist killer case covered by CBN in September 2009 having to do with a young man named Phillip Markoff, who basically went on a seven day killing spree. He would meet the prostitutes/escorts from the craigslist ads in hotels or motels, attack them, rob them, and eventually killed one of the three women he had attacked.
This story alone gives reason for further investigation on why and how Craigslist as well as other major sites should be more careful and somehow have more censorship in sections that deal with such matters, seeing as prostitution is perfectly illegal in the U.S. except for in specific areas in the state of Nevada. I found it interesting that in today’s society we can hold Craigslist a bit more accountable for allowing itself to be so easily accessible to such activities, and yet we would never hold any specific street in the infamous red districts of the U.S. accountable for the same sort of accessibility.
What do you think?

Aisha

sources:

CNN Wire Staff, . "Critic praises Craigslist move to censor ads, calls for more info." CNN Justice. CNN, 06 Sept 2010. Web. 7 Sep 2010. .

"The Craigslist Killer: Seven Days of Rag." 48 Hours Mystery. CBN NEws, 10 July 2010. Web. 7 Sep 2010. .