Over the last few weeks, we have discussed issues related to Censorship, Connectivity, and Artificial Intelligence. For this fourth project, you are to work in groups of 2-4 to produce artifacts that further explores the following topics:
The impact of fake news.
The scarcity of broadband providers.
Hollywood's portrayal of artificial intelligence.
For this project, no personal reflection is required.
For the first option, you are to investigate the prominence in [Fake News], particularly in the context of the recent election:
Donald Trump Won Because of Facebook
After Trump's win, even some in Silicon Valley wonder: Has Facebook grown too influential?
The top 20 fake news stories outperformed real news at the end of the 2016 campaign
Facebook fake-news writer: 'I think Donald Trump is in the White House because of me'
How Teens In The Balkans Are Duping Trump Supporters With Fake News
Mark Zuckerberg Continues to Miss the Point on Facebook as a Media Entity
Facebook and Google Won't Let Fake News Sites Use Their Ad Networks
After doing some exploring, provide a group report in the form of a podcast or video presentation that answers the following questions:
Explain what exactly is meant by the term "Fake News"? Do you find the deluge of this content as harmless, annoying, or dangerous?
Take a look at your Facebook or social media feeds and that of your friends and family. Does it contain "Fake News"? If so, how much? What is your response when you see such items?
What is the responsibility of social media platform providers such as Facebook and Twitter in regards to regulating "Fake News"? Are you comfortable with a private entity censoring information? Explain.
How much do you rely on social media such as Facebook or Twitter for your daily news? Are you living in an echo chamber or even concerned about that? If so, what are some ways to break out of the bubble?
Does the rise of social media and "Fake News" mean we live in a "post-fact" world? Does truth stand a chance in a world dominated by "Fake News"?
Finally, what do you think the impact of "Fake News" was in the recent election? Does social media really have the power to sway public opinion? If so, what are the implications of that power?
For the second option, you are to investigate the broadband internet options where you live or where you plan on living in a few months.
After doing some exploring, provide a group report in the form of a podcast or video presentation that answers the following questions:
What options are available to you (each group member)? Is there a wide variety or are the options limited?
How do these options compare? What are the pros and cons of each one? Do these options come bundled with additional services? If so, which ones?
Which option do you plan on choosing?
Have you considered cord cutting? Why or why not?
Is the current broadband situation acceptable? How does the range of options impact net neutrality?
Finally, how should the government encourage innovation and competition? Is municipal broadband a good idea?
For the third option, you are to watch a movie that explores artificial intelligence:
After watching the film, provide a group review of the movie in a podcast or video that answers the following questions:
Describe the role did artificial intelligence play in the movie. Was the AI the villain, hero, or simply a supporting charachter?
Discuss aspects of the AI were believable and what parts seem unrealistic. Is this merely an imaginative work, or is it representative of future possibilities.
Discuss how humans reacted or related to the AI. Were humans scared of AI? Welcoming? Unconcerned?
Discuss how the AI reacted or related to the humans. Was the AI hostile or friendly?
What was the final message or theme of the movie? What insight into the nature of humanity did the AI expose?
Finally, what was your overall impression of the movie? Thumbs up or thumbs down?
Your project is due at 11:59 PM Thursday, December 1, 2016.
To submit your project, one group member should post the artifact to their blog.