Emily Edwards September 9, 2012 Engilsh Honors AOW Where is the Money Going? By Danielle Kurtzleben Although household debt has decreased since 2008, the amount of student debt has nearly tripled. Demanding billions… Continue reading
Emily Edwards
September 3, 2012
Engilsh Honors
AOW
The Internet has virtually anything you could ask for. The innovation of the World Wide Web has lead us to the creation of cybernetic luxuries like email, social networking, and the blogging universe. If you have a computer, taking advantage of the Internet’s various amenities is our right! But some seek within this abundance of freedom a different opportunity. The Internet is also a trap… A survey asks for your phone number, cookies lurk in colorful browsers, websites request your email to tap into your personal info…
This article has opened my eyes and stunned me with information. With all ‘7 things’ Victor Luckerson has listed I feel there should be some sort of solution.
1. Your photos may be for sale.
It really wouldn’t be that much trouble to give someone photo credits for their picture and give them a percentage of the wages. There should always be an opportunity for photographers to claim ownership of their work if they have proof!
2. You may not be able to delete your account. Ever.
For whatever reason, a user that signed up for a certain account should be able to remove their personal info on that account from not only the public eye, but have it be forever terminated.
3. Companies can track your web activities- even after you leave their site.
This is creepy and just plain NOT OKAY. There could be people inside the company that could abuse your personal information with motives that the company didn’t agree with. And the boss may never know…
4. Your data can be given to law enforcement.
I feel like dignified officials are some of the few people that have the right to access your personal information. But then again, that would mean there would be a possibility that people that aren’t dignified officials could have access to your personal information just as easily.
5. You could be banned from filing class action lawsuits.
This is totally un-American! Everyone should have the right to sue for reasonable means. No one should be denied the power to protect their legal rights.
6. Even if you ‘delete’ a piece of content, the company may hold onto it.
A weed can be de-rooted so why can’t a piece of virtual content be tracked down to the source and be gone for good? There are some things people have the right to keep to themselves to maintain their image. I think that if we regret the drunk photo that there should be some way to have it forever removed from the internet!
7. Whether the terms are fair or not, they could change at any moment.
I could let this slide as long as the subject is alerted when the terms are changed. After all, in the ‘terms of service agreement’ the user was fairly warned of the company’s original terms of service. As long as the subject is kept in the know, I find it reasonable that a company changes its terms as time progresses if they just want to modernize their website.
I feel so personally infringed, as I absorb all this information, knowing I have been a victim to the dangers of the Internet countless times! I admit to being an ignorant user, continuously clicking ‘continue’ just to get on with it and enjoy my new app, never bothering to waste ten minutes to acknowledge the terms of service. Now I will remember to think twice.
Emily Edwards
August 24, 2012
English Honors
Article of the week
The Physician Burnout Epidemic: What it Means for Patients and Reform
By Elaine Schattner
Main/ Supporting ideas:
Nearly half of physicians in the US suffer from burnout. Doctors aren’t satisfied with their jobs that require much work, and long hours of it. The number of students interested in joining the medical field is decreasing drastically… because the workplace isn’t ideal? Or could it be the monotony of the daily rounds?
Doctors may be in danger of burnout, but this also jeopardizes the health of their patients. As Dr. Mary Brandt has explored while studying health’s relation to a person’s wellbeing, you must take care of yourself in order to help take care of others.
Something needs to change. Dr. Tait Shanafelt states, “We are on the cusp of reform.”
My opinion:
Whenever thinking of what I wanted to be when I grew up it was always a job I could never find myself tiring of… becoming a doctor NEVER came to mind. I had friends with parents that were doctors hoping to keep their family’s reputation. They wanted the glory… and the paychecks. I think it is especially dangerous that Burnout affects not only the doctors, but also the patients they are aiding to. In human geography we call such a case an example of globalization- the ripple effect.
How can we find a solution? In my opinion, all it takes is an attitude adjustment and a more positive working environment. Doctors should be driven by the reward of saving lives if they have the knowledge to do so! If you someone isn’t compelled to be a doctor maybe the job isn’t right for you! We need people intrigued by the medical industry, people that are personally compelled to save lives & stick with their patients on the road to recovery with a determined, optimistic frame of mind that could give a patient the will to live.
