ITCS_396_Ch1

Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing Technology

Chapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift

Introduction

• Author and Publication: Gift of Fire, 5th Edition, Pearson Education, Inc. (2018)

• Navigation Note: Slides contain hyperlinks; JAWS users can list links with INSERT+F7.

Overview of Topics Covered

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• The Pace of Change

• Change and Unexpected Developments

• Themes of Technology Challenges

• Ethics

The Pace of Change

Historical Context

• Impact of the Microchip

  • Significance compared to Gutenberg’s printing press

  • Influences on economy, society, and politics

• Technological Milestones

  • 1940s: First computer built.

  • 1956: First hard-drive, weighted a ton, stored five megabytes.

  • 1991: Space Shuttle equipped with a one-megahertz computer.

  • Present Day: Common mobile phones with several gigahertz processors.

Change and Unexpected Developments

Human Distinction

• Quote by Betty Friedan: Highlights human capacity to plan for the future, differentiating humans from animals and machines.

Cell Phones

• Growth and Usage

  • Few cell phones in the 1990s to approximately five billion by 2011.

  • Used for various tasks: communication, photography, music, banking, gaming, navigation.

  • Smartphone apps facilitate healthcare monitoring and resource location.

• Privacy and Safety Concerns

  • Location tracking raises privacy issues.

  • Integration of cameras complicates public/private space privacy.

  • Potential for distraction and danger (e.g., driving)

  • Negative applications: from security risks to organization of unlawful actions.

Kill Switches

• Security Features

  • Enable remote disabling of applications and deletion of files.

  • Presence in smartphones, tablets, and computers raises independence concerns.

Social Networking

• History and Growth

  • Began with www.classmates.com in 1995.

  • Facebook established as a student directory.

  • Used for various purposes: community engagement, fundraising, organizing events, collective finance.

• Negative Aspects

  • Platform for bullying and harassment.

  • Introduction of socialbots complicates genuine interactions.

  • Privacy threats, though benefits are perceived to outweigh problems.

Communication and the Web

Evolution of Email

• From Text to Multimedia

  • 1980s email was brief and text-only; now evolved into richer formats including texting and social media.

Blogging and Video Sharing

• Origins and Impact

  • Initially personal outlets, now significant news and entertainment sources.

  • Development of video sharing led to piracy issues and new online learning platforms (e.g., Coursera).

E-commerce

defining the online marketplace.

Evolution

• Start of Online Shopping

  • Amazon.com launched in 1994 focused on books; now extensive retail platform.

  • eBay facilitates auction-style sales.

• Financial Impact

  • Online sales total hundreds of billions annually, fostering a peer-to-peer economy.

Trust and Security Concerns

• Consumer Reluctance

  • Initial hesitance regarding credit card transactions paved the way for intermediaries like PayPal.

• Safety Measures

  • Encryption has enhanced payment security; rating systems and Better Business Bureau provide consumer protection.

The Nature of Free Stuff

Availability of Online Resources

• Types of Free Services

  • Software tools, VOIP services, online courses, community resources.

  • Advertising often funds free services.

• Impact of User Data

  • Many sites collect user data to monetize advertising.

Artificial Intelligence

• Specialized Tasks

  • AI excels in image/speech recognition, translation, and gaming.

• Modern Capabilities

  • Tools like GPT-4 engage in meaningful conversations, illustrating advancements in LLMs.

Ethical Considerations

Understanding Ethics

• Definition: Ethics involves examining what it means to do the right thing, based on rational decision-making principles affecting others.

Numerous Ethical Views

• Deontological Ethics

  • Focus on duty and absolutes, e.g. truth-telling regardless of consequences.

• Utilitarianism

  • Emphasis on producing the greatest happiness or utility for the majority.

• Natural Rights Theory

  • Basis on fundamental human rights like life and freedom.

Rights Discussion

• Negative Rights

  • Freedom to act without interference; obligations to refrain from obstacles.

• Positive Rights

  • Obligations for others to cater to needs, such as access to essentials.

Conclusion: Themes of Technology Challenges

• Adapting to Change

  • Recognizing issues like crime and copyright in a new context.

  • Global reach of the internet facilitates communication.

• Trade-offs in Security Measures

  • Enhanced security often diminishes convenience.

• Organizational Ethics

  • Responsibility lies with individuals within organizations, emphasizing personal decision-making in ethical contexts.

Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing Technology

Chapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift

Introduction

• Author and Publication: Gift of Fire, 5th Edition, Pearson Education, Inc. (2018)

• Navigation Note: Slides contain hyperlinks; JAWS users can list links with INSERT+F7.

Overview of Topics Covered

• The Pace of Change

• Change and Unexpected Developments

• Themes of Technology Challenges

• Ethics

The Pace of Change

Historical Context

• The development of microchips has significantly influenced modern technology, comparable to historical milestones such as the printing press.

• Technological advancements have dramatically affected society, economy, and politics, leading to paradigmatic shifts.

Technological Milestones

• 1940s: The first computer was built, marking the dawn of computing technology.

• 1956: The introduction of the first hard drive, weighing a ton but only capable of storing five megabytes, showcased the initial limitations of data storage.

• 1991: The Space Shuttle was equipped with a one-megahertz computer, reflecting the intersection of computing with aerospace.

• Present Day: Everyday mobile phones now boast processors in the several gigahertz range, highlighting incredible advancements in personal technology.

Change and Unexpected Developments

Human Distinction

• Betty Friedan's quote illustrates the unique human ability to plan for the future—a distinction from animals and machines.

Cell Phones

• Growth and Usage: The number of cell phones grew from a few in the 1990s to about five billion by 2011, now serving multiple functions beyond basic communication.

• Privacy and Safety Concerns: Location tracking and camera integration in smartphones raise significant privacy issues, leading to ongoing debates about user safety and distractions, especially while driving.

Security Features

• Kill Switches: These allow for remote disabling of applications and file deletion, raising independence concerns regarding technology control.

Social Networking

• History and Growth: Social networking started with platforms like www.classmates.com in 1995 and evolved with Facebook into spaces for engagement and organization.

• Negative Aspects: Issues such as cyberbullying and privacy threats have emerged, complicating the social landscape despite the connectivity advantages.

Communication and the Web

Evolution of Email

• From Text to Multimedia: Email has transformed from simple text communications in the 1980s to rich multimedia forms, encompassing texting and social media.

Blogging and Video Sharing

• Initially personal outlets, these have become vital news and entertainment platforms, leading to new challenges like piracy and the development of online learning platforms.

E-commerce

Evolution

• Start of Online Shopping: Amazon.com, launched in 1994, started focused on books and has transformed into a broader retail platform, with eBay promoting auction-style sales.

Financial Impact

• The online sales market now totals hundreds of billions annually, creating a robust peer-to-peer economy.

Trust and Security Concerns

• Consumer Reluctance: Initial concerns over credit card transactions spurred the creation of intermediaries like PayPal, while encryption and rating systems introduced heightened security measures.

The Nature of Free Stuff

Availability of Online Resources

• Types of Free Services: Numerous free offerings exist, often funded by advertising and user data collection for monetization.

Artificial Intelligence

• AI's specialized tasks include advancements in image/speech recognition, translation, and gaming capabilities.

Ethical Considerations

Understanding Ethics

• Ethics examines the right course of action based on rational principles and the impact on others.

Numerous Ethical Views

• Deontological Ethics: Considers duty and moral absolutes, insisting on truth-telling irrespective of consequences.

• Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing happiness and minimizing pain for the greatest number.

• Natural Rights Theory: Grounds itself in fundamental human rights, emphasizing freedoms relevant to dignity and quality of life.

Rights Discussion

• Negative Rights: Right to act without interference from others, imposing obligations on others not to obstruct.

• Positive Rights: Responsibilities for others to fulfill basic needs, such as healthcare and education.

Conclusion: Themes of Technology Challenges

• Adapting to Change: Society must continuously address emerging issues like crime and copyright in a digitized context.

• Trade-offs in Security Measures: There is often a balance needed between enhanced security and user convenience.

• Organizational Ethics: Emphasizes personal accountability in ethical decision-making within organizations.