The week that was the most interesting was when we discussed hackivism, internet vigilantism, and the anonymous group. I feel within that topic there was a lot of good discussion and debates on how hacking and cracking were used in the ethically right or wrong context. Beginning with that week I didn’t even know that there were two meanings to the term hacking and that hacking was potentially harmless in nature. The denotation of hacking can be labeled as white hat and the other word for hacking would be labeled as cracking or black hat. I still feel that Tavani gave an excellent example of cracking vs. hacking in his breaking and entering scenario he wrote in his book. I have actually been able to discuss this section with friends telling them to read the excerpt from Tavani and then talking about the differences between the two. We talked about how hacking mainly has a negative connotation synonymous with the word yet it really isn’t that bad. Cracking, however, which is almost never used in any context of technological breaking and entering is pretty much useless to the layperson. I also spoke with my Grandparents on a Sunday before the Packer game and asked them what they specifically thought of when they heard the words “hacking” and “cracking.” They figured that hacking had to do with illegal computer activities whilst cracking had to deal with breaking information. They were surprised to learn that the word hacking doesn’t encompass complete negative aspects of criminal activity yet cracking is far worse. I can’t really say that this certain topic would change my technological behavior because I honestly don’t hack or even come close to cracking. I suppose in my future career in I.T. however this concept may become present in some situations. I can imagine that certain professions need to have security clearance for specific types of files and that could get into a legitimate case of hacking and cracking. If I were tempted to peek inside folder that I wasn’t supposed to I would probably think twice about doing so. I wouldn’t want to be fired for abusing my security clearance or have others in the company not trust me. This section helped to form a safe boundary of what would be and would not be acceptable in a work setting. Onto this week’s class the main point that was carried over was how social media is a hindrance or an advantage to developing nations. Political unrest is usually stirring as nations develop and the nations people decide on what they really want from their government. Many people have different opinions and the use of social media sites allow them to express their opinions in many ways. However with this many governmental authorities in charge may find the person and prosecute them as they see fit. Other ways that social media sites help is in the case of Egypt and Mubarak they were able to gather a protest against the leader of Egypt. Many positive and negative things can coexist with social media network sites in developing nations: it just depends on how everyone decides to interact.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Reflection Blog #1-McGlasson-Maynard
To summarize my reflections from the past four weeks is almost as overwhelming as the new ways of thinking about how I and we behave in the information world. I honestly had not examined much of anything in terms of how I ethically proceed on the Internet. I would read a story like the one in Vanity Fair last month, “Enter the Cyber-dragon” and be curious and think “Geez, a country or nation-state shouldn’t do that, it’s terrible” or “What does this mean?” but I really never gave an in depth thought to the matter. I have my own set of morals that I abide by and have not had the opportunity before to analyze why I believe what I do, or why I should ethically consider other points of view on the subject.
The first week was difficult for me, as I was having a hard week at work and had to read and re-read this class material a couple of times. Understanding of the different frameworks has not come easily to me. As I read about ethical relativism, pluralism and absolutism, I found I don’t like subscribing to a specific set of beliefs. My own preference is to remain much more fluid. “listening for and accepting differences” is not the same as agreeing with and condoning behaviors I feel are wrong (Ess, 22). And it is quite funny, as I tell people which classes I am involved in this semester, and I say the title, Information Technology Ethics, every single person says, “Are there any?” I guess we are all trying to feel out ways to proceed in this new frontier.
The second and third weeks were a bit easier, as Ess Chapter 6 really explained the ethical theories more in depth and probed the strengths and limits of subscription to those theoretical frameworks. My classmate’s postings and responses as well as Dr. Compton’s input really clarified some discrepancies I had and created some new confusion as well! It becomes harder and harder to just say a thing or behavior is right or wrong, when you are forced to defend and explain why you believe so, or what if the tables were turned in this other direction. While I find Tavani’s explanations and definitions helpful, the writing is dry for my liking and I really have to concentrate to get through the reading. After having a week or two to digest the readings, I feel my grasp on the material getting firmer.
I feel the class as a whole really getting into the groove during the fourth week. We all can relate to illegal downloading and bring different perspectives to the beast. I really found Tavani’s explanations of patents, trademarks, and trade secrets interesting. The class postings have been great! I have shared the Paul Garrin videos with a couple of people and he and his ideas fascinate us. The Digital Fascism video was an eye-opener, as I have never before considered the possibility of the Internet being composed of “nation-states” and the flaws and controls that entails.
Ess, Charles. Digital Media Ethics: Digital Media and Society Series. 1st. Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2009. Print.
"Digital Fascism-Paul Garrin." Video. YouTube. Paul Garrin. 2008. Web. 2 Oct 2011.
Gross, Michael Joseph. "Enter the Cyber-dragon." Vanity Fair. Sep 2011: n. page. Web. 2 Oct. 2011.
Tavani, Herman T. Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing. 3rd. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011. Print.