Monday, October 22, 2012

filter bubbles

68 comments:

  1. a. Through this video I learned that no two people may access the same information on the internet.
    b. Watching this video makes me very sceptical about what I will be seeing online from now on.
    c. This video raises the question, "Why can't I determine what goes through my filter in my own home?"
    d. Being as specific as I can when making searches can improve my effectiveness.

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  2. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    The existence of automated algorithms completely eliminating content in general. (I was aware of preference, self-tailored results but not retroactive deletion)

    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    It makes me think how potentially limited, biased or myopic my prospective pc might be relaying information to me thru my algorithm created browser.

    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    It depicts a growing trend of information vetting, unconscious (or nearly propagandistic)editing of what we can and cant be seen, not unlike the world of biased journalism that plagued the past(and arguably plagues the present in some degree).

    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    Ultimately it is our job to think critically, to search for more information from more then one source, to not get distracted by lazy convenience or blinded from automated algorithmic editing. Until it is developed by the internet itself, it is our responsibility to ourselves as a globally conscious society to vet out biased/useless superfluous and search for, no matter if it requires extra effort, our own understanding, our own enlightenment.

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  3. a. I learned that the web needs to be changed so we can eliminate filter bubbles and be exposed to new, important, and controversial point of views.
    b. It makes me feel like I only have maybe a quarter of any story that I have ever read on the internet and that I may be missing crucial parts of information.
    c. Why do computers get to choose what we can see or not see on the internet?
    d. I honestly don't know after watching this video. At the moment, it seems that I am trapped in a maze because I am not getting all the details and information that I want.

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  4. a.)I learned that our google searches are almost like our own profile except that they edit information out without our permission.
    b.)It makes me think that we have very limited control over our online searches.
    c.)This video raises the question about how accurate or how helpful the internet is when doing a research.
    d.)Making sure you are being specific and on topic.

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  5. a) From the video, I learned that our google searches are not just filtered to the things we view most often, but also that it edits out information without our permission.
    b) This information makes me think that without our control our searches are made bias and limited by the search engine we use.
    c) The questions that this video raises to me are about how accurate and helpful our searches really are.
    d) I can improve the effectiveness of my searches by being more specific on my searches and to use more than one search engine, and make more of an effort to make sure I am getting a good variety from my searches before being satisfied with it.

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  6. a)I learned that almost EVERY website is subtly editing what they show us solely based on what we like to click on and look at. It's crazy that they are basically profiling you based on that picture of a cat you liked on Facebook, or that movie you Google'd about.
    b) It makes me wonder about how many things I haven't noticed being changed as I played around on my computer. And I wonder how often they're changing it. If I Google something about provolone cheese, am I going to start getting subtle links of recipes using it? In all seriousness, it is quite sad to think that I'm missing out on a whole lot of other information just because I wasn't profiled to "enjoy" reading that information.
    c)Is money a big reason for the changes and the profiling on the Internet? And is there a place anywhere on the internet where you can escape from it?
    d)After watching the video, I can't say what I could do. I wish he could've given some tips on doing that! That would've been very helpful. Maybe you need to broaden your searches, try to search for more vague subjects in order to get more variety. That way maybe they will increase your results to not only the stuff you would like to read but also the stuff that you probably should read.

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  7. a)What new information did you learn from the video? I learned that the internet should be used as a tool to connect us all and it isn't being used for that purpose anymore. b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online? I think that I will do more research when I look something up to make sure that I am getting every result. c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general? It makes me question if we have gotten as far as a society as we are all led to believe. and d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches? As I said before, I will be doing more in-depth searches and looking things up on several devices to make sure I get the full effect.


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  8. A)I learned that if you and your friend were to search the same thing into Google you would not always get the same results depending on your location, the computers being used, and the browser.

    B) This information makes me think differently about what I see online because what if there is something that I am not being able to see? For example, what if there was an assignment given out where I had to Google search something and I came into class but didn’t get an important point that someone else found. I guess in a way this makes it a bit stressful for me now knowing this. I could not be getting all the information that I could be getting.

    C) Who are these people that control the Internet? Where do they come from? Is there like a team that gets together and agrees how things should be? Why can I only see what they want me to see? Is there things they don’t want me to see? What are they hiding from me? If the Internet is a place to explore things that are happening all around the world then aren’t we being cheated out of some information if we are only allowed to see certain things? Why must the Internet be so complicated?

    D) To be completely honest I am not sure how I can improve my effectiveness of my searches. This video makes it seem that I can’t really control what I see online because it is all controlled for me.

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  9. The one thing I like about youtube is that it's always opening me up to new kinds of people and I can see their faces and talk to them, all I have to do is click on their youtube channel and BOOM! I'm talking to someone in Taiwan. It's pretty sweet. It does creep me out though that my searches are tailored to fit me... and ONLY me. Not like what Kaitlyn Brooks' favorite things are. She's awesome by the way. Ahem, where was I? I can improve this by searching things up twice and going to different websites and search engines. Peace out.

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  10. A. Like many things right now, the internet is slowly transforming into something that it was not meant to be. A source of information that's filtered to keep us "comfortable". It's not healthy and we need to realize this or else we'll be that generation that ruins it for their kids.

    B. I feel a little ignorant and realize there's a lot I'm not seeing. I see the danger in this "filtering". I never thought I was being observed this in depth.

    C.Well first what is TED and is there anything I can do? I suppose spreading the word and using those custom filters to make sure I get what I need. Does every search engine do this?

    D. By just watching this video I can't really do much new. I can use those filters you gave us a while ago and be more specific when I search for something.

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  11. a)From this video I learned that everyone can search the same exact thing yet won't get the same exact results. The web profiles YOU based on your interests from your browser to your location.
    b)This makes me wonder if I am missing out on something useful or important because I don't have the page sources as others.
    c)Why does the computer get to chose what I learn and what I don't learn opposed to what I choose to learn?
    d)To improve the effectiveness of my searches I can look at different sources and use different devices for accuracy. However, it doesn't seem like there is much I can do to change the web and the results it provides me with.

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  12. A) I learned from this video that we may not being getting all the information we want when we search for something. We are obviously looking for something we don't know much about when on a search engine. So if google was to give us links to things it knows we are interested in, how are we learning?
    B) This information makes me wonder what I am missing out on if I had chosen different links when researching something before that got them 'to know' me.
    C) This video really makes me wonder if the internet is all that reliable.
    D) I can't think of a way to improve the effectiveness of my searches, but I know that I should always follow up the information I receive with back-up sources.

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  13. 1.) I learned about the web's filtering results.
    2.) Not everything is being governed by your actual free will. The web is now becoming the new sentinel of information as opposed to the previous editors.
    3.) Do people actual care more about a dying squirrel than someone dying in Africa?
    4.) Don't use google.

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  14. a) I knew Google was recently getting sued for "fixing" algorithms so that certain search results appear. What I didn't know is that so many other websites were doing the same. I'm a Netflix user and I knew that Netflix does give top ten suggestions, but I didn't know that they also affect which movies to send first in my queue.
    b) Well, that's a bit scary how smart and controlling my internet websites can be. Talk about Terminator status.
    c) I question if we are going to have a though or imput in what we find. In the recent few decades, new technology has always seemed like a plus. Having an iPhone has meant an "easier" way to access and download certain items. No one seems to question whether something to truly bad until it hurts or affects the user in some negative way. Eli Pariser has noticed tat fixed algorithms will hurt us by not allowing us to get the search results we want. We get the search results that the computer thinks we want but can a computer really understand the powerful and diverse thoughts of a complex brain?
    d) I can improve my search results by using other search engines that don't recommend me results that I don't care for. Preston has already given us two search engines and I will probably start using those. There is nothing really I can do about Netflix. I like Netflix and I will continue to use it.

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  15. a)I learned that websites are controlling what we see and what we are exposed to.
    b)This information makes me worry about the businesses that our society is controlled by. They feed us pleasure, comfort, and happiness but, just as Pariser says, we need discomfort, we need to see unpleasant things, because with these, a balance can be set.
    c)Will we ever come out from this 1915 mind set?
    d)We can use more than one search engine to find what we want.

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  16. a) I learned that you aren't really the one who controls you're search on the internet, but it is, well, the internet. Those behind Google, Facebook, etc., are actually the ones who determine what shows up on your screen as well as what doesn't.
    b) It definitely makes me think of what might out there that I'm not seeing. Like what are the hidden things I don't get to see when I search for something on Google. It certainly makes me think of what I might be missing that could potentionally be important to me.
    c) This video raises the question of who is actually behind our screens. Who are these people and why are they the ones that get to control what we can and cannot see when we are on the internet?
    d) I can definitely improve the effectiveness of my searches by using not only one but several different search engines.

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  17. a) I unfortunately did not learn much new information from this video as I was already aware of the 'filter bubbles' as they are called in the video. I do agree with many of his ideas and opinions of how what we see shouldn't be choosen by a computer, I would like the choice to decide.
    b/c) I'm not the most trustworthy person with the internet, if you suggest I go somewhere online and I don't know it, the first thing I'll ask you isn't why, but is it safe? Virus's? Things like that, I'm not very trust worthy, to easy to ruin your computer and lose your identity, the fact that what I'm seeing is being censored just makes me trust it less.
    I just read Farhenheit 451 and the whole, censoring what we see and choosing what we like, an easier and more pleasurable search, sends chills down my spine as that what was basically happening to society in the book, computers and other people were telling them what they liked, no real thought to it.

    d) what can I do to make my searches safer/moreaccurate, nothing much, maybe use Duck Duck Go, Dr. Preston referred me to this search engine, it doesn't keep a past record of what you have searched and therefore cannot pick and choose what you would like to see.

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  18. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned that internet control what we see and what we search. It is kind of creepy. And I was surprised that different people get different searches on google!
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    I learned that online is not safe at all. Since google can control each people's view, it means it can control whatever they can. It is very dangerous..
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    This video made me wonder if internet is reliable thing to use in daily life?
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    There is not really much I can do to improve it since google is not the only web that does this creepy thing, so I can't really rely on any webs.

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  19. A) What I got out of this video isn't really anything new. We have basically covered all this in class with all the small talks with Ian.

    B) The Internet is controlled by business. Sites like Facebook take our information and sell it to businesses. I don't think it is right to do that to us.

    C) Is the internet safe? Should we be on the internet? Is there a way to stop this from taking over our lives? What is instore for the future of mass communication if we keep getting sold out by businesses like this?

    D) I can mess with google's settings but I doubt that will do much in my favor.

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  20. a) Truthfully most of the information here is stuff that I already knew. Not much new.
    b) I view the internet the same why I have before. The internet is a dangerous little tool we have here but it is quite useful. I can see why site would want to tailor searches for us, it probably helps us in day-to-day searches. The internet can not be your only sources...it never should be.
    c) No real questions but I am curious about what it would be like without filters.
    d) Well don't just rely on the internet, use other sources like new networks, books, newspapers, anything else in the world. I'm not saying don't use the internet but don't make it your only source.

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  21. a. Through this video I learned that two people who are searching for the exact same thing may have different results based on their computer and where they are.
    b. Watching this video makes me skeptical about what comes up based on these filters. I feel like not everyone is able to get the information they need, because what one person sees that the other does not see may just be what they were looking for.
    c. This video makes me think, “why am I not able to manage my own filter and determine what I do and don’t see?” It also raises the question of “how does the internet create personalized filters of a certain person depending on where they live and past searches?”
    d. Instead of just putting in key words in hopes of the first link being exactly what I am looking for, I will make my searches more exact by inputting information as specifically as I can.

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  22. A) This video showed me that I do not relly control my searches on the web and what comes up.
    B)This video made me think that what information is really true when I make a search. If another person and I were to make search and each got a different results, whos results would be right?
    C)I makes me wonder how the internet knows excatly what intrests you.
    D)To refine my searches I would put in moer detail into what I was excatly looking for.

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  23. a) I learned that most of the information I receive on the internet is tailored to me. I had always just assumed that everyone reciece the same search results as I did.
    b) It makes me wonder if there is vetter information our there that I am being restricted from.
    c) Why is it nessesary to tailor information to each person? Why can't everyone receive the same information?
    d) I can use multiple devices and search engines to conduct my search.

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  24. a)Something new that I learned was that everything is tailored specifically for the user, even when your using a search engine like google.
    b)Now knowing this information I feel skeptical towards the information and sites I view.
    c)How much is out there that we just don't know about?
    Are there ways to work around the specifications of the search engines?
    d)To better improve of effectiveness of my searches I could use another search engine that does not use algorithms to specialize it's results.

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  25. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned that the interenet and all media sites cater to you and especially you using not only what you have recently searched but 57 other ways. Where you are, what browser you are using, and what kind of computer you have.
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    This information makes me a little freaked out, I feel that it is creepy that they know so much about you and judge you on all of this. I had a feeling Facebook did something like this but it blows my mind to think they specialize to every single person that uses the internet.
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    My question about this video is how they use this algerythym that generates what people see and how they get their top searches?
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    The only way I can improve the effectiveness of my searches is by being more specific. In this video the speaker had his friend search "Egypt" but if he was looking for a specific item about Egypt I'm sure if they were more clear they would have better results.

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  26. A.) I learned from this viedeo that when different people search the exact same thing, they end up with different results. He was giving the example of his two friends looking up egypt and getting way different results.
    B.) The video made me wonder how much of the information given to me in my researches are true and to what extent should I trust certain sites given to me.
    C.)How does the internet know what you are interested in? How does it pin point what you really want to know from the general? What's the different between what the internet thinks you want to know and what you actually should know?
    D.)I can improve my researching by being more specific on what I want to know about a certain topic. change the wording.

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  27. A)I learned that most everything on the internet that we look at is filtered.
    B) The video made me wonder what else I might be missing out on when I use the internet.
    C) What are we really seeing during our usage of the internet, is it just some fake image of what it really could be?
    D) I am not quite sure what I can do that would improve how the internet presents itself to me.

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  28. This just in from Maddy Cofield:

    a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I knew a lot of it from Dr. Preston and Ian telling us in class.

    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    I agree with him and think that we should be 'fed' everything not just what are 'profile' says.

    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    I wonder what iI am not seeing that i should be.

    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    By searching things on different devices along with searching more specifically among other things.

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  29. 1) I watched this last year, but I was reminded that the internet is not being used for its original purpose of connecting everyone through information.
    2) I feel rather limited
    3) It makes me wonder when the internet is going to actually fulfill its original purpose.
    4) Use sites like duckduckgo rather than google.

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  30. a] I learned that the internet is more personalized, and different to different users.
    b] That maybe it is harder for some people to research information for a report[or something] than it is for someone else, since they get different results.
    c] How did we kind of go full circle with the whole newspaper filter to freedom to web filter?
    d] Maybe use a different browser for school stuff and news stuff than you do for fun stuff and cat videos :)

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  31. A) I learned that every search engine will "customize" its search results based on previous preferences and links clicked. That what I find and what someone else finds is radically different based on our history on the said search engine. I learned that my "identity" is constantly being updated based on logarithms designed to figure out just who I am, and in the process constantly deleting and editing information based on what they decide I "am". That rather than let me search for what I want, the search engines will gladly do for me. And that content is constantly being cut out from my "bubble", which sounds eerily close to "Big Brother". If anything, it's not governments we should worry about watching us 24/7, it's the Internet.
    b)Now, this information makes me question whether going on the Internet is even worthwhile or has a point. What's the point of looking for something when the data is skewed based on what a bunch of 1's and 0's think you want? Now the data I find is incomplete, it's edited. In short, trusting Google to give me what I want is like trusting Big Brother to tell me the truth.
    c) Is the Internet really all it's brought up to be, or is there something else at play here? Should you trust the information that the search engine brought you? Is it right for your information to be edited by an algorithm without letting you know? Should more be done to prevent search engines from invading your privacy and editing your information?
    d) The only way to improve the effectiveness of your searches is constantly looking at the links provided, including ones found on the second, third and fourth page, and to click on links that you are 100% positive on, that way the algorithm doesn't edit information that you might need in the future. However, the big key might be using mobile, as Google and Facebook have had troubles tracking users so as to sell them advertisements, or to use a search engine that isn't solely bent on selling you ads and making profit.

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  32. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    - Most of the information we had already heard this from Ian during class. When on the internet you don't receive the same information as another.
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    - It makes me think that we aren't seen all of the information that is online. It is making us miss out on information that we might need.
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    - How are we able to see the other information that was no show on our online research?
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    - The way to improve could be to look online through different devices such as a computer, iPhone,iPod, IPad, etc.


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  33. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned that we have no control of what gets in or out of our filter bubbles. The quote from the video: “Internet is showing us what it thinks we want to see, but not necessary what we need to see.”
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    It makes me think about the information or the search results I got from Google or any other websites. Then, I started to question: does internet connects us to a bigger community or it actually isolated us from the world?
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    Can we trust internet (especially those search engines) anymore? And how can we take our control of internet back?
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    I think I can improve the effectiveness of my searches by use many different websites. I think I am not going to rely on just Google or just yahoo…

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  34. a)I learned that now any searches I make are affecting what information is being given to me in my searches. Therefore I might not be getting the best information possible that is out there.
    b)This information makes me feel like I need to do a billion different searches so I don't become limited.
    c)I wonder what the internet will become in 10 years from now or even less.
    d)Use different search engines like duckduckgo which I learned from Dr.Preston in class.

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  35. a) I learned that even when using Google things are tailored to an extent that it edits information without the user knowing.
    b) It makes me think what information I'm not getting due to the limited control over my searches.
    c) The question that rises to me is how can I receive accurate information and if it's the best information for my search?
    d) To improve my effectiveness I need to be very specific in my searches and wording.

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  36. a. I knew about search engines editing our view, but i learned that Fb does it also.
    b. It makes me realize that I should broaden my searches to keep variety. Even when I'm not looking for something specific or I'm bored.
    c. Even when we think ourselves in an environment that we can do, see, and be anything we are still censored and limited.
    d.Expand my searches,use other search engines, and look at the search results on the 5,6,7,8, etc pages.

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  37. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned how algorithmic gate keepers have filtered our searches and made it more "personalized to our tastes". However the ways in which they filter (by our impulsive cite surfing) will hold us back from the information that we are really seeking.
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    It really makes me more wary about what I click on. If I click on something that sparks my interest but is "junk food" as the speaker called it, then my future search results will also be junk food. I need to be more restrained when I'm surfing the web because it will influence what pops up in the future.
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general? and
    The main question I'm asking mysel right now is what have I missed? What have these filter bubbles prevented me from seeing?
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    To improve my effectiveness of my searches I should refrain from impulsive clicking and instead go straight to the meat of what I'm actually searching for. That way I won't be caught in the perpetual trap of web surfing and procrastination like I so commonly find myself doing.

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  38. a) I've known that two individuals can access google and search the same thing, yet come up with different results. However, I didn't know there was 57 signals. I, also, didn't know the websites were considered "personalized."

    b) This information makes me think that our technology is becoming more unique to who we are. Since the web in becoming more personalized, then this means our computer is becoming to understand what information we are looking for.. In a sense.

    c) This video raises questions about the internet like "can we rely on google?" "Since we get different choices, does this make it less accurate" And many more questions just like the ones above.

    d) Everyone can improve their effectiveness of their searches. I can be more specific, and start using key words in quotes, and such.

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  39. A)What I learned from this video is that not everyone gets the same exact sites but they do get similar things. It all depends on the location you are in.
    B)The video made me wonder which sites give the right information and that I have to go more in deep to find my resources.
    C)What is safe and what is not? Why can't we get the same information as others?
    D)To improve I would go more into detail with my research and to looks a several other different devices.

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  40. a)I discovered that mankind is hardly controlling what is actually going on in the interent. That these algorithims are extending an editing process in our social lives through the internet. That these things are not just happening on Facebook.
    b)I feel more insecure in my searches becuase it's showing me different results that is irrelavent and showing me what they believe I want to see based on my past research.
    c)How will this sort of information shape the future for the next generations to come? Will technology become to overpower how we live?
    d)I could begin with asking specifically and research using different websites so as to gain more information.

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  41. A) Well I remember how Dr. Preston briefly talked about filter bubbles once in our class and this was just kind of like a review. But I had already known before hand that the information that is given to us was being personalized to our likes.
    B) It makes me feel like I am not being given the chance to see all the different options I would like to see for whatever I decide to search, because it is "personalized". I like how it is personalized only to a certain extent. It does save my the effort in typing all the keys to what I am searching for but, once again I am being limited. The filter bubble is holding back information that can be useful.
    C) The question or curiosity that comes up would be how much more developed the internet will become of itself. Over these past ten years it has enhanced tremendously, so I wouldn't doubt for the internet to become something more highly developed to fit our needs.
    D) There are plenty other search engines that can be as effectively as Google or Yahoo. Bing is becoming something big as well, It appears to be at the same level as Google or higher (from what I last heard..)

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  42. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned how smart of a company google is. The ability to find a larger possible customer base for an advertiser, and being able to manipulate the market as it best fits their own interests. To be able to change information from system to system is powerful indeed.

    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    "Free services" are never free. There are no free lunches even on the internet. The internet as a whole can be seen as a business, and whatever information you have tailor customs your system to fit this business model. I see what companies want me to see, but with enough discretion to fit terms and services as well as the law.


    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    To what extend is marketing excessive to the point of violating simple privacy rights?

    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    There are several ways of approaching this. Create a list of fairly trust worthy websites and put them into a dashboard in order to compare the most websites in order to get the best results.

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  43. a) I learned that what we see and what we don't see are both just as important, and that the things we don't see could be filtered by our someone else's interpretation of what we need.
    b) My personality and what I think could possibly be invaded by others who think they know me based on a search, and that humans are simple enough to place into an algorithm.
    c) It makes me wonder really what kind of bias do I have? How could they connect each thing to make sense to the person? Just a useless algorithm to show people what they THINK they want to see.
    d) I will try to see how you could find a website that is filter free (DuckDuckGo) and try to see if there is anyway of possibly taking out that filter bubble, because who doesn't like Google?

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  44. A. I knew the Google filters the search but i learned the just about every search engine and website filters your results based on previous searches.

    B. It makes me think that the internet limits me on the variety of sites i get when i'm searching for something and that i need to continue past the first couple of pages of results.

    C. A question that comes to mind would be "How accurate are the results that the internet gives?"

    D. The only way to improve my searches is to well obviously be more specific in what i search and continue and look through several sites and sources.

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  45. Some new information I got from this talk was the transition that occurred replacing human moderators with algorithms. I guess I never thought about who did it before the machines were capable. This really harshes my good vibrations about getting a well-rounded view about anything I see online because some possible results are being taken from me. I feel like an early American (#notaxationwithoutrepresentation). So does this mean that all your results are filtered whether you're logged into Google or whatever website? Or is it using your IP address. To improve the effectiveness of my searches, I suppose we must move underground to sites less mainstream like Duckduckgo.

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  46. A) I learned that the internet searches information you are looking for based off of your recent searches, also that no two people receive the same search results.
    B) This makes me wonder if I am getting the best information out there for me.
    C) How much information am I missing out on? I wonder if there are ways to get around the system?
    D) I can use multiple devices and search engines to get a wider variety of information.

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  47. A)I already knew that the internet search engines such as google already had specific ways to perfectly fit your matches, but i did not know that facebook did that also.
    B)It sort of creeps me out because i feel like there is someone or something always monitoring me and following what i do online.
    C)I always feel like the internet is not being honest with us and is trying to make our views better but seems to be more conservative and also seems to narrow our view of what we can see on the internet.
    D)I think to improve the effictiveness of our searches is to always try a variety of items about the topic that you choose. As shown in the video about the conservatives and liberals, you should try and split the difference evenly and see what happens to your search engines and filters.

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  48. 1) What I have learned was that no two people have assess to the same information on the internet. All the information is processed to what our history on the internet says. We are given specific sets of information based on our previous searches of knowledge.
    2)Now that I know that I am being limited to what I am able to find on the Internet based on previous searches, I feel left out, I don't like it and wish I was able to obtain the same information as everyone else.
    3) This video shows us how not matter what we are limited by an opposing force, who can control the knowledge that we are searching for.
    4) One way to improve the effectiveness of my searches is to use a search engine that doesn't record your history or isn't able to guess what you are about to type in.

    ReplyDelete
  49. A)What new information did you learn from the video?
    -I learned basically that the internet can completely alter what is literally "Fed" to you through "algorithmic editing" so they say, another thing that I learned was the differences between one user, and another's searches, and the fact that this has been implemented in many places that the general public aren't really aware of.

    B)I feel this is a bit a unnerving to know that our searches,- no our thinking is almost restricted by this "algorithmic editing." Our minds' ability to acquire the information we want shouldn't be hindered by algorithms. we should have the freedom to be able to find want WE want, and not what a computer calculates what we want.

    c)The question that arose in my mind while watching the video was basically if this is how the internet is running in this day and age, how is it going to be in the future, are we not going to have any choices, are future humans going to be given an internet identity from the moment of birth? or is this already happening?

    D)After watching this I think it would be best if I become more wary of what links I'm clicking on,or go back to the days and do my searches through hard copies, or by person to person.

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  50. A. I just learned about a totally different part of Netflix and I now understand why my movie uploads can be so slow. I know that we had talked about how the filter was there, but it is different to see a comparison with your own eyes.
    B. I have yet to see the difference, because if you know what you are looking for on the web you can find it with many different perspectives.
    C. My questions are more focused on the editing of the content on articles or pages, when the information presented isn't there for the majority of people they assume that this is all the information available on the topic.
    D. Being effective during my searches means that I am going to search not only what I am looking for, but also the contradicting ideas that might be similar to my topic.

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  51. I learned that Google will edit out amazingly relevant world stories to tailor to certain people's preferences. I didn't think they were that adamently algorythmic. I thought they put up generally relevant stories.

    I think I'll scroll though more than just the top 3 options Google gives me to see if I can find a better source of information on whatever I'm searching for. Because now, that's probably a safe bet that there's better things out there.

    It makes me wonder just how big the internet is that Google can have so many algorythms to create so many different search results.

    I can either make them more specific instead of using key words. Or I could, like I said, look at more than just the first few results and give up after that. Will I actually do this? No one can really know.

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  52. a) New information learned would include how you can be deprived of information just because you don't usually search things similar to that particular topic. This keeps people from knowing things that are occurring outside of their own personal world. It limits their knowledge and gives some a bit of an advantage over others.
    b) This makes me see how I am missing out on things that might actually matter to me or that might be useful for me to know just because I don't search similar topics often.
    c) This video raises the question, "Is the internet actually as reliable as people seem to think?" The internet only shows us results it think we want to see but keeps results we should see hidden and limits the amount of information we can take in.
    d) To improve the effectiveness of my searches I could go out of my way and search for things I don't usually search for. This would open up my widen my result possibilities and would allow me to see sites I wouldn't have seen before.

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  53. A) From this video I learned that a robot basically has complete power over what I want to view online. This is somewhat frightening. An actual human being that I do not know controlling my search results would be somewhat more comforting than a heartless robot.
    B) I feel as if nothing is truly genuine when I search for results online. I am now a disenfranchised internet user.
    C) I believe the most important question that needs to be raised pertaining to this video is whether or not the internet is an honorable source for information. If we as a society are only sent down one path, than our creativity and beliefs will be molded into something we are not.
    D) The only way to improve the effectiveness of my searches would be to communicate with other students who differ in their personal backgrounds. I would then examine each student's results until I found a general consensus between all of the them.

    ReplyDelete
  54. A) I learned that we are deprived of the information that a computer thinks we do not need, and gives us information based only on our "preferences".
    B) This makes me realize how much of the information we get is controlled by anything but ourselves.
    C) This makes me raise the question, "How much information are we missing out on? How do we get to this info?" It is unfair that in a "free country", we still do not choose the information that we are exposed to, even when we are searching for the information on our own.
    D) To improve my searches, I should start to be more careful about what links I use, my keywords, and whether or not the site seems credible or not.

    ReplyDelete
  55. A. I didn't learn a lot of new things from the Ted talk. Except for what I learn in class and what I figured out for myself about Facebook and Netflix filtering, I learned that basically a robot controls our life inside a computer.

    B. This information makes me want to punch that robot in the face and rip out its digital brain for censoring out new information that I could be learning about instead of being stuck on the same things.

    C. My question would probably be, How phony are people that spend millions of hours on the computer because they are only exposed to one side?

    D. I could periodically search random topics to throw off the algorithm, so that I get more variety. There is also an add-on in Firefox called "StumbleUpon" which I use when I'm bored and sitting at my computer. Basically you click a button and it will open up a random page on the internet, but this is a filtered bubble as well because it asks you for topics that you like. It then searches for random things based on the topics you chose.

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  56. a) What I took away from this video was that bascially a machine, robot if you will, is making my decisions (or deciding) on what I want to view online. However, it does make sense the way the man described the filter bubble. It gives us some information "desserts" and some information "vegetables" based on what we view online. Now, I'm not saying I like the idea of a robot making my decisions online but I have to say it is interesting how it all works.

    b) It makes me think that the internet gives me a limited amount of resources when I could easily get more if I broadened my search more.

    c) If the internet is really powered by machine not really man then how can we rely on it as much as we would if it were powered by man?

    d) I could either be more specific in my searches or make a broader search.

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  57. A.The information i learned from the video was that information is invisible, ceratin things get edit by themselves,people get different results base on computers and browsers. And that algorithms decide whatwe get to see and what we dont.

    b.well since i used the internet for a lot of things now i know that not all the information online is true.

    c.That not all of the things on the internet are true.

    d. Do a search on my computer and then clear the history to see and compare the results.

    ReplyDelete
  58. A) I learn that that everything you search or look for on the Internet creates your profile. So even though you and your partner could google the same thing, the results wouldn't be the same.
    B) this new information makes me want to find something or search website in which I wouldn't get profiled. I want to be able to search and have complete access to all material.
    C) Its becoming something it wasn't created to do.
    D) Thats a question I'd like to ask you Dr.preston because I really wouldnt know how to change my Internet "profile"

    ReplyDelete
  59. A) I knew the general premise of Internet "filtering" but I didn't know some of the technical details. This historical context of the Internet, as well as its comparison to newspapers in the past was something that I hadn't ever really thought about.

    B) The video makes me marginally more paranoid about what I see online. While I was aware that Google modified search results, seeing the changes side by side was interesting.

    C) The video raises questions about the role that the Internet should play in society. At what point does it stop being an information service and become an information obligation? How can the Internet be reshaped to both appeal to users and present potentially uncomfortable ideas?

    D) The easiest way is to have a clear idea of what you are searching for. If you know exactly what you came for, you'll be less affected by filtering. On a more tangible note, going through Google's settings can help mitigate the effects (deleting your account's history, disabling location tracking, etc.).

    Here's an article that may help:
    http://lifehacker.com/5890117/your-privacy-kind-of-sucks-fix-it-up-this-weekend

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  60. A) To be honest. As much as I was enjoying the actual content of this speech. I was more interested in the way his words flowed when he spoke of such a popular subject. It was as if passion and mental capability alike were working through this man. And when emotions are present you do not usually see such a phenomenon. So all in all, what I learned was a better way to approach life.
    B) This video makes me question who the internet assumes I am. What would my best friend get if we typed the same thing? Could I actually get the exact same results....is that even possible?
    C) As stated in "B" this article raises many questions. Yet many different learning opportunities as well. I think I will venture further on this topic.
    D)Perhaps you should confuse your server to change your profile. Ask it a lot of odd and out there things that you would not normally be involved in. And then perhaps it will widen the view it allows you to have (like the sound of that? -- ya me either)

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  61. a) It was interesting to find out that not only did these search sites and many other sites just feed you preferred information but deleted information based on your preference. By "preference" I mean what you clicked first or most.

    b) Whenever I look at something online now, especially Google, I will see a very narrow view of the internet is actually showing me. By that I mean I am not getting the whole picture and sometimes it's helpful to have the whole picture. We as humans are fully capable of weeding out what's important to us or not.

    c) This raises a question of what role will internet play in the future. Instead of being a big network of free information will the internet become a network of constricted information fed to us through spoons?

    d) To improve searching you just click on exactly what your looking for. This means have a clear idea of what you want before clicking on random links. This might make it so that junk is not tailored to your searches. You could also delete tracking cookies or previous search histories.

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  62. a)Much of this I already somewhat had an idea of based on what Preston has discussed with us in class. I did learn though that we are potentially missing out on quite a large sum of information with these "personal" searches.
    b)The information presented in the video made me not want to used the internet. It made me second guess it. I don't feel that it is the best information source anymore.
    c) I think questions such as "Am I getting the information that I need? Is there more out there that the internet is not allowing me to see based on this limited selection? Can we trick the system into allowing us to get different search results?" I think there are many questons out there right now about this recent change in internet surfing.
    d)In order to improve my internet searches, I need to be using multiple search engines aside from google as well as possibly different devices such as other computers and cellphones (which is much more inconvenient).

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  63. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    I learned that places like google or yahoo are compiling a data file on me.. &i think its weird. I dont like things being filtered for me.

    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    I dont think I'm getting to see all of what I asked to see, or what i specifically wanted.

    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    I would like to know why these companies decided to filter things we see, i feel like the truth is being withheld from me.

    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    Use a non-filtered search engine.

    ReplyDelete
  64. a)What new information did you learn from the video?
    --That based my my previous searches, Google already has my evening planned.
    b)How does this information make you think differently about what you see online?
    --I feel that I can't trust the internet. If I plan on doing my homework online but type in the first letters of a word it might steer me away from what I'm really trying to do.
    c)What questions does this video raise about the Internet in general?
    --Whether or not the internet will be a reliable resource if it filters everything you do online.
    d)How can you improve the effectiveness of your searches?
    --I could try something new and use that website mentioned in class today, duckduckgo.

    ReplyDelete
  65. a)Dr. Preston had mentioned it before, but it solidified the fact that the searches that google provides are not totally revealing of all the searches that have been made. They have been altered to try and fit what the computer expects us to want to searched. I also didn't know that facebook could alter your newsfeed so that only certain things can show up. It was an interesting fact to find out.

    b) When I google things now, I wonder about the things that have been left out. The things that I am not seeing. Things that may be relevant to me, but is being hidden. Also on facebook, that I might be missing things. Key information that is being hidden. It really makes you wonder what control you really have while on the internet.

    c)It raises the question of the integrity of the internet. The question of freedom on the internet. You are being limited in your searches to what a machine thinks you want to see. It makes you wonder what is really real on the internet.

    d)One thing to do is change my search engine. I'll probably try and using the search engine Dr. Preston uses, which is duckduckgo

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  66. a) I learned that even if I'm not logged in, there are still ways to for the internet to decide what I'll be most wanting to see.

    b) This information makes me want to go to a friends house and research things using their internet so I can see how much the internet thinks we differ.

    c) This video raises the question of the Internet in general of, if the internet was at first made to help us learn about things that aren't around us, why does it keep limiting our view of the world?

    d) I can improve the effectiveness of my searches by collaborating with friends or acquaintances about what is being discussed, also duckduckgo.com.

    ReplyDelete
  67. a) I learned that facebook, google and even yahoo news, try to filter in what they think you want to see and filter out what they think you don't want to see based on an algarithim imbedded into the website.
    b) It makes me feel like i am missing out on a bunch of new information that i would have otherwise been able to to see if my searches on google or any of those other websites were different.
    c) The internet used to feel like a vast majority of knowledge and information but it raises the question of whether it can even be defined as that anymore because not all the information can be sent to you anymore.
    d) I think i can now improve what i search by instead using different search engines like duckduckgo.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. A)From the video I learned that ALL websites filter what you see. I thought that it was only Google that does this.
    B) This information makes me realize that everything has been tailored exactly to me and that there is more out there than only what I see.
    C)A lot of people think that the internet tells you everything but in reality you only see what is meant for your eyes.
    D)Duckduckgo is a search engine that was talked about and it can help with filter bubbles.

    ReplyDelete