1. Assignment 1（7.14）
Since ethics is a study of human interactions, it's important to know that your peers have different strengths and weaknesses depending on their brain type. Understanding the basics of the 16 brain types and knowing your own personality-traits can give you insight into how others think and act (including yourself). With this understanding, you can work to better understand your classmates's dynamics along with your own strengths and weaknesses. This assignment has three parts:
Read the following articles to become familiar with the 16 Myers-Briggs types and theory:16 Myers-Briggs types @ The Myers & Briggs Foundation
Are Introverts or Extroverts More Productive? @ LifeHack
Determine your MBTI preferences by completing an informal Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MTBI) test. The full version of the test is typically administered by a trained professional. However, there are numerous informal versions of the test online for free. Here are two of them:Personality Typology Test from Humanetrics.com
Type Explorer Test from 16Personalities.com
Write a short paper (about 400 words) that discusses your brain type results. Your paper should include:One paragraph that includes where you took the test, what you thought of the test and your four-letter personality type.
One paragraph that includes your personality-type strengths and how you see that applying to you.
One paragraph that includes some of your personality-type weaknesses and how you see that applying to you as well as how you can work to minimize those weaknesses.
http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.htm
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/are-introverts-extroverts-more-productive.html
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
2. Discussion: Privacy(7.17)
Analyzing the Privacy Implications of Amazon's Ring Changes in Law Enforcement Collaboration
Read the article linked above, about Amazon’s Ring decision to discontinue the "Request for Assistance" feature in its Neighbors app. This case relates to the Privacy chapters in the textbook "Gift of Fire". The article provides a comprehensive view of the situation, including restrictions for many airlines. Discuss the ethics of this situation (you may refer to updated articles on this issue). How does Ring's decision balance individual privacy with the needs of public safety? Is this a step in the right direction for protecting user privacy, or does it hinder law enforcement efforts? Do you believe that such technologies contribute to a surveillance society, and if so, how should this be managed? Do you agree with Ring's decision to remove the "Request for Assistance" feature? Why or why not?
Word limit: 300 words or more. Remember to cite your sources. For full points, be sure to reply to at least 2 other posts with comments of 150 words. Limit quoting from the other posts you are commenting on - use your own words.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/amazons-ring-will-stop-letting-police-request-doorbell-video-footage.html?utm_campaign=mb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew
3. Assignment 2(7.20)
The right to free speech is not a carte blanche right to say anything and everything on social media without some kind of ramifications, even when protected under the first amendment. Sometimes there are ethical, civil, political or legal implications. While speaking what you believe to be your "truth" is certainly a worthy ideal in theory, is there evidence to back up the statements? What about the case of misinformation, which is rampant on social media, and has wide influence?
Read the following article: https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/17/politics/supreme-court-social-media-disinformation-first-amendment-covid-election-2024/index.html about concerns related to misinformation on social media, from everything related to COVID-19, to the 2024 elections. Write a short paper (>= 500 words) where you reflect on the issues raised here: misinformation, the obligation of many platforms to flag or remove these, and finally whether such could be considered as interfering with the Freedom of Speech. As always, at least 90% of the word requirement should be met without quoting other sources. You may reference other articles or sources on the Internet as long as you properly cite them. Upload your document in Word or PDF format.
4. Assignment 3: Intellectual Property(7.24)
Copyright is among the most complex categories of law in the United States. Copyright laws and standards can differ dramatically between different mediums. Music is often considered to have one of the most stringent standards for determining a copyright violation, with it being common to rule on copyright violations based on perceived similarities in relatively short melodies. In 2020, a pair of musicians and programmers, as a form. of protest, attempted to neutralize this form. of musical copyright by generating and submitting to the public domain every possible short melody.
Read the following article on their efforts. Write a short paper (> 400 words) where you briefly summarize the article's main points. In addition, you should discuss the ethics and copyright considerations of procedurally generated artistic content. Consider whether such content can or should be elligible for copyright protections and whether efforts like this could prevent future artists from claiming copyright violations, legitimate or otherwise. Also consider the possibility and efficacy of similar initiatives in other mediums like visual art or literature. As always, at least 90% of the word requirement should be met without quoting other sources. Upload your document in Word or PDF format.
5. Dicussion: computer crime and security (7.27)
Meta. Abandons Hacking Victims, Draining Law Enforcement Resources, Officials Say
https://www.wired.com/story/meta-hacked-users-draining-resources/
41 US state attorney generals urge Meta. to take charge to protect users from hackers and scammers. In 2023, the number of hacking incidents on social media has drastically increased, and users feel that their social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, are not doing enough to protect them. What can we, as individual users, do to reduce hacking risks? Should Meta. be ethically responsible for protecting its users from hackers and phishing attacks? Who should be ethically responsible for security?
Additionally, consider how law enforcement could intervene in this situation. Should the government be able to override Meta’s decision and help protect users and their privacy? Consider these questions as you provide your perspective on the article. Write a response of at least 300 words addressing these questions. Respond to at least 2 peers (min. 150 words) for full points; check the grading rubric for details.
6. Assignment #4 - Computer Crime(7.28)
https://www.csis.org/programs/strategic-technologies-program/significant-cyber-incidents
This site (link also provided above) lists cybercrimes that have happened in the recent weeks. Pick any one from this list, and do a deep dive: explain what the cybercrime was about, the perpetrators, whether it was a crime/hactivism/cyber warfare, the motivation behind this, the vulnerabilities this crime exposed or created, and the net cost (if known) behind this crime. You may need to refer to other websites, and please cite sources that you use. As always, at least 90% of this assignment (>= 500 words) need to be based on your own words. Submit your document as a word or pdf file.
7. Discussion: Workplace(7.30)
Read the following article: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/the-new-ai-disruption-tool-devine-or-devil-for-software-engineers/articleshow/108654112.cms?from=mdr
The recent unveiling of Devin, an AI tool claiming to be the world's first fully autonomous software engineer, has sparked significant debate within the tech community. While supporters welcome its potential to revolutionize software development and streamline tasks for engineers, others express concerns about its impact on traditional tech jobs. In light of Devin's reported effectiveness and capabilities, how do you envision its introduction influencing the future of software engineering? What ethical considerations should be taken into account regarding the deployment of AI tools like Devin in the workplace? How can tech companies balance innovation and efficiency with the responsibility to protect and support their workforce in the face of automation and AI-driven disruption?
Post your thoughts in 300 words or more. For full points, be sure to reply to at least 2 other posts with comments of 150 words.
8. Discussion: Evaluating and controlling technology (8.2)
In Chapter 7 of A Gift of Fire, the focus is on evaluating and controlling technology. In light of the chapter's content, read the article below and consider its arguments.
Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/14/tiktok-teens-mental-health-regulation/
Craft a well-reasoned response that addresses the balance between regulation and personal responsibility while incorporating ideas about technology evaluation and control discussed in the chapter. Consider the following: Where should the line be drawn between regulation and individual choice? Are corporations sufficiently motivated to self-regulate? What practical steps can individuals take to manage their responsible use of technology?
Write at least a 300-word response addressing these questions. Respond to at least 2 peers (min. 150 words) for full points; check the grading rubric for details.
9. Assignment 5 (8.4)
Read the following article about leaks from the Pentagon that happened a year ago.
Write a short paper (>= 500 words) that summarizes the events, and the involvement of the social media platform. Discord. Whose error caused this leak? Could it have been prevented? What have been the outcomes so far? As always, at least 90% of the word requirement should be met without quoting other sources. If you research other articles or opinions, be sure to properly cite your other Internet sources. Upload your document in Word or PDF format.
· Quiz 1 (on Ch. 1 - Unwrapping the gift - due by 7/15/24)
· Quiz #2 (on Ch. 2 - Privacy - due by 7/18/24)
· Quiz #3 (on Ch.3 - Freedom of Speech - due by 7/22/24)
· Quiz #4 (on Ch.4 - Intellectual Property - due by 7/25/24)
· Quiz #5 (on Ch. 5 & 6 - Crime and Security and Work - due by 7/31/24)
· Quiz #6 (on Ch. 7 & 8 - Eval. & Ctrl Tech and Errors/Risks/Failures - due by 8/6/24)
· FINAL EXAM: Aug. 09, 2024 (online)