CLIMATE 1.0 :Climate Change Denial Disorder (CCDD)

The political lines being drawn in the sand as to whether global warming exists is far from where the focus needs to be placed. Science has the data that backs up the claims that human interaction with our planet is causing a climate change.  The dialog needs to refocus.

Instead we should be asking why the media represents global warming as a possible fact or a political fiction?  A possible answer to this is that the media loves contention, because it drives viewership. Media steers clear of social policy because that tends to irritate people and then people will change the channel.  Money is driving goal behind media's approach.


How does social media play into the global warming situation?  I think if you wanted to get involved, and raise awareness of the consequences you could.  I also think that many of us are like sheep.  We follow the trends and believe what is being touted on the television. The current conversation isn't about what we can do to slow the process of global warming.  It is about the left versus the right and that is missing the opportunity to enact a change.  This change in opinion will come when people learn how to learn.  This includes doing the research before you blindly form an opinion. Back up your beliefs with facts and become an educated citizen. Then, when you are competently informed you need to vote for those politicians that are in line with your positions for our country.

Interestingly, social media has been involved with the effects of global warming, though I didn't put it together until I read this article.  Did you know that because of the droughts in Syria, it caused a ripple effect for the country?  The farmers migrated into the city because the drought dried up the crops. This led to a social unrest after the Arab Spring, and in turn contributed to their civil war.  All of these events were ultimately caused by human-derived green house gasses which also contributed to the drought.  The chain of events follows: green house gas - global warming - drought - displaced farmers - social unrest - civil war.  Thus, to say that global warming isn't effecting people is faulty and not representative of the facts.

The way that social media has played into this event in Syria is that citizen journalists that have taken to social media to share images and current events as they are unfolding.  Through the reports we have learned about the chemical attacks perpetrated by the Syrian government.  We saw what was really happening and as a result of the footage the U.S. came into the conflict.


Social media gives a voice to any person brave enough to speak.  The truth is that we are all connected in the human experience and this planet belongs to all of us.  The effects of global warming have a greater reach than a rhetorical debate over which came first, the chicken or the egg.  The dialog needs to change in a way that will     create a change.  We need to keep our planet clean.

RELIGION 3.0

What is Religion 3.0?  The Church of Reality has the mantra, "If it's real, we believe in it."  This church claims that religion has evolved from 1.0, which was denoted by the authority of elders.  Religion 2.0 shifted into the authority of scriptures, and now, Religion 3.0 is an age of awakening.  It is defined as the shift from basing religious doctrine on evidence rather than belief.





Another interesting shift in Religion points to the technology side of applications and websites. There are many games that can be downloaded as apps to your phone that allow YOU to be God.  Is this also a shift in Religion 3.0?  For example, games that make you master over its inhabitants include: Godus, Godville, and Sandbox to name a few.  In these games you create the world and are free to "bless" or "punish" your kingdom, create life, help to build communities, and watch over your world.

Also, there are apps that help to encourage religious individuals to connect with each other and to aid them in sharing God's word.  There are even websites devoted to helping Christians meet, date, and mate among fellow Christians.  Many Christians find strength in joining in a cause for prayers, and praying for those that need extra help.  I found many apps for combining the efforts of prayer. Below are listed a few to check out for yourself:
1.  Echo, which helps you organize your prayer lists and offers reminders to help you remember who to pray for.
2.  PrayerMate,  helps you be faithful in prayer and mindful of the topics for your prayers.
3. Instapray, allows you to ask for prayers and connect with loving, caring people. You can pray in smaller or larger prayer groups.

 

    The scope of apps for Religion are not limited to these few examples.  There are apps for sharing the good word, answering unbeliever's questions, listen to uplifting music, and even apps through which believers can easily donate to their congregations.  

    Religion is not being left behind in this technological era.  Rather, they are being marketed to just as freely as the rest of society.  Knowing that people are seeking answers, connection, and ways to contribute, financially or otherwise there will be someone that will answer the call.

  

DARKODE

Wow! I have heard of the hackers targeting big companies like Ashley Madison, Home Depot, and Target to steal data, but this really brings the problem into my own life. The act of remotely hacking into my personal computer and essentially locking me out of my personal documents is infuriating. I would be helpless to retrieve my information without submitting to the hackers demands. Although it is unfair that big businesses are subjected to data hacks, at least they have a fighting chance to avert the attack. People like the grandmother in this report, and everyday people, are easy targets with little defense against this cyber terrorism.

I would have liked the report to at least give a few tips on how to avoid these types of breaches against privacy. Instead, it just dug a little deeper to let you know that some people sell time to others and allow them to remotely spy on your computer too. How do you ever feel safe again? Do you have to back up all your pictures, music, and files by the hour? Do you have to completely unplug to maintain privacy?

The hacker enterprise is one that is continuing to grow and organize. Though law enforcement may momentarily shut it down, it can pop back up again quickly. As an organization that operates in cyberspace it can move and hide in between the ones and zeros. Privacy may be a luxury of the past.

PRIVACY 2.0

In an era of amazing technological advances we are a connected people.  There are many ways to stay in contact with family and friends.  From texts, calls, instant messaging, Skype, Facetime, Facebook chat, and email, just to name a few.  As society is constantly plugged in, the vulnerability of technological violations of privacy are eminent.

The real question is what is your privacy worth to you?  Is completely limiting your activities to snail mail and rotary phones going to maintain your private life?  I don't think that "unplugging" is going to help preserve privacy.  Perhaps moving off the grid and living in a tent while picking berries and bow hunting deer may give you head start to anonymity.  But, even if you go to all that trouble, the google car is bound to spot you and your cover will be blown.

The truth about our Nation of Secrets is that we have given them the green light to track our lives, and it is all under the premise that in doing so we will be safer.  Our state of fear following 9/11 resulted in giving up privacy rights that would have been adamantly protected before.  A quote by Dwight B Eisenhower highlights how one can have complete safety.  He said, "If you want total security, go to prison.  There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking is freedom."  Now we have allowed our government unlimited access in the name of security. They can track our web searching, our phone calls and texts, and any other data that is emitted via technology.  But hey, we are now "secure."

It is also alarming that hackers, which previously targeted businesses and government entities are turning their aim toward everyday people.  With such personal information at their fingertips and no compassion for the lives impacted there is no limit to the people that will be impacted.  A recent tactic is hacking into your personal computer and essentially blocking all your access to your files. For a small fee, they will unlock your data which they so kindly locked from you.  Hackers are forming communities of their own.  Darkode is an online forum that unites hackers; it gives them a location to collaborate, trade, and sell. They are virtually unstoppable, when the government shut it down, it only took a few weeks and they were back online.

The truth is that our ever connected society is firmly connected.  People travel through their lives, posting joys, frustrations, and ideas as they are experienced in real time.  To opt out of social media and technology would be opting out of experiencing relationships as they are shared in our current day and age.  The reality that we may be subject ourselves to a breach of our privacy does not justify opting out of the experiences available through our evolving technology.

ON THE MEDIA: ABORTION POLLING

PHYSICAL- The conversations about abortion and women's rights are expressed in many places. From the virtual realm of Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to the physical news outlets are all providing the stage for this heated debate. Many people also take to the streets, abortion clinics, and legislative offices where they picket to express the diverse views surrounding abortion.

PSYCHOLOGICAL- The psychological aspect of the abortion debate, and the relationship to the polling reflects deeply rooted beliefs.  Those that are Pro Choice lament that the woman should not be dictated concerning her own body.  While the other side, Pro Life is also equally adamant that the voiceless infants also deserve a choice about their growing bodies.  There is merit in both sides of the argument and the polling of Fox News is attempting to get a better grasp on the opinions concerning the issue.  Gaining further insight into the minds of both sides of the issue through more directive questions allows a different conversation.  Rather than glossing the surface of anti-life or anti-women's rights, the dialogue can move into a more substantive direction.

SOCIAL- The social ramifications of limiting and banning abortions is that the poor and uneducated are those that are the most adversely affected.  These women are often struggling to support the families that they have.  An abortion, is the only option they believe will allow them to survive. On the other side of that, these women that do have abortions and then regret their choice are left with little support.

CULTURAL- There is a great divide on the morality of abortion because both sides of the issue believe there is no questioning their stance. This division limits a common ground and conversation between opposing viewpoints.  The new take on polling individuals about the underlying feelings surrounding the controversial subject encourages a new discussion about abortion.  It becomes a step in the right direction to help people understand the complexity of abortion, that it is not simply a black and white issue, there is a lot of gray.

TEMPORAL-  This is a topic that is not going away.  It has always been a hotly debated topic which will continue because of the lines that are drawn in the sand by both sides. 

It is important to bring the underlying opinions that are articulated by incorporating more in depth questions. This creates more thought behind why or what opinions are formulated about abortion, rather than a broad-brush answer of right or wrong.