Facebook and Privacy Essay

Ex-Apple Engineer, Peter Warden, has collected public fan page data from 215 million Facebook pages, revealing current trends, such as ‘God’ being the number one most popular fan page among Facebook users in the Southern U. S. , whereas ‘Barack Obama’ featured heavily for San Francisco users, and ‘Starbucks’ was number one in Idaho. Warden plans to release this data to the academic community because he sees great potential in the data that can be extracted from these sites. This process is called data harvesting. The article suggests future academic work in  this area is likely to occu impacting on people’s privacy. (FACTS – 100 words) Response: The ETHICAL issue central to this article is privacy and control. On one hand, Warden claims his intentions are altruistic (helpful to others) and that the data he is making visible here is a matter of public discourse. However, the FACTS are that individual users who are generating this data have neither been consulted about the data collection nor have they given permission for Warden to use it. Clearly Warden does not VALUE other’s people’s privacy as much as he WANTS (emotion) to create the website. The argument could be made that once a user ‘becomes a fan’ of a page on Facebook or, indeed, publishes any content to the internet, that information becomes public. User who have deployed privacy settings to carefully maintain a strong sense of control over their profiles, however, might well feel very ANGRY about this use of their data. Facebook can harvest that data (and does, for targeted advertising purposes) because they have a commitment to those advertisers (emotion)and engineers like Warden can develop data-trawling engines to collect accessible information across a massive dataset. The LAW needs to be much clearer about the rights of consumers, companies and advertisers in these situations. As Facebook is presumably bound by its own set of critically considered ETHICAL guidelines, these are neverthess underpinned by commercial VALUES and a vested interest (emotion) in keeping the data of its users from competitors. Warden claims to be operating under his own set of ethics that privilege (value) the furthering of knowledge. The issue then shifts to the academic community. Warden contends that one of his central motivations for collecting this data was so  that he could share it with the academic community. Although this claim may be true, most (if not, all) Universities have clear ETHICAL guidelines for research that explicitly VALUE and therefore require consent from participants. If none of the users gave consent for their data to be collected in this way, this in effect denies them a sense of AGENCY. Thus, academically, this data is tainted. While its implications are important the trends it makes visible are crucial to understanding the localised structures of social network sites like Facebook. Personally, I would  believe people should be able to tick a box that gives consent for the use of their personal material. I do not believe, either, that it should be one of those boxes you are obliged to tick before being able to use a site: that removes my personal AGENCY and I VALUE this very much. It should be up to me to decide whether other people get my data. If this sort of system was in place, everyone would know the FACTS, everyone would understand what is going on and no one would feel (emotion) betrayed or exposed unfairly. (463 words) Animal Research Link: http://www. scu. edu/ethics/publications/iie/v1n3/cures. html Objective summary:

Lord If The Flies

Lord If The Flies The Lord of the Flies By: William Golding Setting: The Lord of the Flies takes place on a remote tropical island located somewhere in the ocean. My guess is that the novel takes place sometime in the mid 1900's probably sometime between 1940 and 1950. This is a fairly large island with one mountain that enables you to see all the way around the island. The mountain is fairly steep but on one side it is rough and rocky. On the top of this mountain the boys built a fire pit that they could use to signal boats that come by to try to get their attention. The island is a dense forest full of palm trees, tall grass and many fruit bearing bushes. Within this grass they build shelters for the boys to stay in either to sleep or to keep themselves protected by rain. This is an uninhibited island before the boys arrive.English: Piggy Back using Baby Ring SlingAll that is there are a few birds, snakes, and wild pigs. On this island there is also a great platform protruding from the ground. This is the assemblies are held. It is mostly a sunny island, except for the rain and the occasional storm. After the plane loses the boys, they all end up on this island. The boys are as young as about five and about as old as a preteen boy. The younger boys are mostly frightened while on this island, while the older boys are also frightened, yet they are also excited. Throughout the novel there is tension between many of the boys, which makes the atmosphere uneasy. The boys are also lazy so nothing gets done, which adds to the tension because nothing gets done. This is the basic setting of the novel.Characters: Jack MerridewJack Merridew was one...

Global Misconceptions in The WHO Video

Global Misconceptions in The WHO Video Introduction The WHO video on chronic illness acts as a revelation, for the reason that it provides the audience with a view of the chronic health conditions in the developing countries. It serves to dispel numerous myths and misconceptions about the suffering of people in the third world countries from what have traditionally been viewed as lifestyle diseases, mostly affecting residents of the developing countries.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Global Misconceptions in The WHO Video specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More People have tended to assume that the third world countries were immune or at least not prone to conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks, among others (WHO, 2014). Despite the assumptions, the video dismisses this information by indicating that 80% of the people who die come from low and middle-income nations. In addition, they are likely to affect women and children as they would affect men. The video contains several personal stories of victims from developing countries, most of whom are living in poverty and have been severely affected by chronic diseases. The stories focused on people living with chronic diseases and the underlying risks, given that today millions of people are dying, and many others are becoming disabled because of chronic diseases (WHO, 2014). The stories are aimed at raising the awareness. They demonstrate the very deep and personal impact of the diseases on individuals, their families, and communities. Are individual behaviors to blame? Individuals are not necessarily responsible for getting chronic conditions since, although the causes are known, many people often suffer from them even when they have not been exposed. In addition, some of them are genetic and/or environmental, which limits the extent to which potential victims can take actions. However, in some cases, individuals’ lifestyles significantly contribute to their vulnera bility. For example, someone who consumes excess amounts of junk food or alcohol would have relatively high chances of suffering from diabetes. Similarly, a heavy smoker would also be at a high risk of suffering from cancer because of his or her lifestyle (WHO, 2014). Nonetheless, the idea that nothing can be done is fallacious, since there are numerous measures that an individual can take to protect himself or herself.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These include regular exercises, a healthy diet, and frequent medical checkups. While they might not eliminate the risks of getting a condition, such as cancer or diabetes, risks would be significantly reduced. Developed vs. developing countries While chronic diseases are for the most part preventable, governments and health organizations in many third world countries have found it very difficult to address them due to s everal factors. In developing nations, the education levels are very low, which result in ignorance that complicates efforts to provide citizens with health education. In some societies, people refuse to accept the connection between lifestyle and illness, and blame supernatural powers or witchcraft. In addition, owing to insufficient funds and/or research data in relation to the scope of the problem, efforts to address these problems are often disorganized. Hence, they tend not to be very effective. Conversely, on the West, an educated population takes the issue very seriously, and many studies have been carried out on it, which makes it comparatively easy to address the matter (WHO, 2014). However, in the developed nations, there is a unique challenge because, despite the awareness of the risk factors, people often ignore them. In low-income nations, the main challenge is to get sufficient resources to fight the diseases, while, in the high-income ones, it is to educate people abo ut the risks of chronic diseases. Reference WHO. (Executive producer). (2014). Face to face with chronic disease. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO.

The History of 911 Emergency Calls

The History of 911 Emergency Calls Who designed and installed the first 911 emergency telephone call system in the United States? Alabama Telephone Company 911 Pioneers The race to be first will always be part of human nature as long as a bridge remains to be crossed, mountains to be climbed, or a telephone exchange to be cut-over, with a team working together as Alabama Telephone had. B.W. (Bob) Gallagher - President of the Alabama Telephone Company a subsidiary of Continental Telephone. Initiated and directed the overall 911 effort.Robert (Bob) Fitzgerald - Inside State Plant Manager. Designed and engineered the needed circuitry for the first U.S. 911 system.Jimmy White - Technician on 911 installation team.Glenn Johnston - Technician on 911installation team.Al Bush - Technician on 911 installation team.Pete Gosa - Technician on 911 installation team. Need for a Universal Number Emergency Call System The ability to dial a single number to report emergencies was first used in Great Britain, in 1937. The British could dial 999 to call for police, medical or fire departments, from anywhere in the country. In 1958, the American Congress first investigated a universal emergency number for the United States and finally passed the legal mandate in 1967. The very first American 911 call was placed on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville, Alabama made by Alabama Speaker of the House, Rankin Fite and answered by Congressman Tom Bevill.   The new emergency number had to be three numbers that were not in use in the United States or Canada as the first three numbers of any phone number or area code, and the numbers had to be easy to use. The Federal Trade Commission along with ATT (which held a monopoly on phone services at that time) originally announced the plans to build the first 911 system in Huntington, Indiana. Alabama Telephone Company Takes the Initiative Bob Gallagher, President of the Alabama Telephone, was annoyed that the independent phone industry had not been consulted. Gallagher decided to beat ATT to the punch line and have the first 911 emergency service built in Haleyville, Alabama.   Gallagher consulted with Bob Fitzgerald, his state inside-plant manager. Fitzgerald let Gallagher know that he could do it. Gallagher moved quickly getting approvals from Continental Telephone and the Alabama Public Service commissioner and releasing a press release on February 9 announcing that the Alabama Telephone Company would be making history. Fitzgerald examined all twenty-seven Alabama exchanges choosing the Haleyville location, and then engineered the new circuitry and made the modifications needed for the existing equipment. Fitzgerald and his team worked around the clock to install the first 911 emergency system in under one week. The team worked their regular day jobs in Fayette, traveling each night to Haleyville to do the 911 work during off-peak hours. The work was completed on February 16, 1968, at exactly 2 p.m. celebrated with a team cheer of Bingo! Details of this story were provided by Reba Fitzgerald, wife of Robert Fitzgerald.

Electricity Industry in the U.S Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Electricity Industry in the U.S - Essay Example Coal is the leading electricity generating source. In 2013, 39.1% of electricity was generated using coal. Natural Gas was second with 27.4%. The nuclear source contributed to 19.4% of the total electricity generated in that year while renewable sources like solar and wind generation had 12.9%. Other sources of electricity had the least percentage of only 1.2%. Compared to the same data recorded in 2006, the share controlled by natural gases had dropped dramatically from 70%. Nuclear energy was contributed to 20% in 2006 while renewable energy rose from 3% in 2006. However, the percentage contributed by coal was not shown in 2006. Hence, it could be assumed that a coal production is a form of electricity generation in the US. The electricity industry in the U.S is comprised of several companies and stakeholders that offer services through electricity generation, transmission and distribution. Other industrial players are domestic and commercial market operators besides product sales personnel. A survey conducted in 1996 showed that there were at least 3200 utility firms engaging in power distribution. Among the 3200 firms, at most 1000 engaged in electricity generation (Only ten were government owned while the rest were private enterprises) (Blume, 2007, p. 83). In the US, electricity transmission is carried out under the supervision of independent system operators and regional transmission firms. The electricity transmitting organization focusses at offering equity services rather than being profit oriented. These utilities and organizations are controlled by public institutions, for example, Department of energy that generates electricity policies and Environmental Protection Policies that develop environmental policies.

Strategy Assignment-Hospital or Health System Case Study - 1

Strategy Assignment-Hospital or Health System - Case Study Example The organization enjoys as a world-class Medicare center status (Magnet Status) having recorded tremendous achievements in their strive to deliver better services guided by their pillar mission of meeting the demands of the patients by offering high quality services through heightened professionalism. In Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital has four centers that work to deliver quality professionals healthcare through its large pool of doctors, nurses, social workers among other health service providers who dedicate their lives to restoring the state of well-being amongst the society members. Additionally, it is a teaching institute that provides a practical framework within which medical competence can be enhanced. It as well as engages in research to curb health issues challenging the community (MGH, 2015). The hospital has the desire to continually provide high quality world-class health services. The institution’s structure is based on functionality and various units are classified according to the roles they play. Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) is a union with own goals embedded in the overall organizational objectives (MGH, 2015). The hospital is headed by David Torchiana as its CEO who works closely with the head of units and departments to ensure coordination and efficiency in operations. In every unit and discipline there is a head such as the chief nurse and many other who head other areas of specialization. This functional structure works well as the units are headed by experts in the respective disciplines. If another structure such as divisional was used it would create confusion since a manager may head a discipline they do not understand (Buchbinder and Sharks, 2012). The institutions strive for excellence is enabled by the strict criteria used by the HR department in ensuring only highly qualified employees are hired. Training and personnel development are usually

Ehical perspective of business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ehical perspective of business - Assignment Example Business and individuals therefore when left on its will do whatever it takes to make a profit. It can only be mitigated by introducing ethics to temper its greed and have a sense of responsibility. Unethical practices are just very common particularly in business. Even us, as consumers are part of it without even knowing it. Once classic example is our participation and our encouragement for sweatshops to flourish by our patronage to their products. They employ bondage and child labor with despicable working conditions and they continue to exist because of us. And just when we thought that big businesses are not involved in employing sweatshops, we are very wrong because they are. Worst, they will even distance themselves and deny it when they are caught. I can cite the example of Swedish fast-fashion retailer  Hennes & Mauritz who subcontracted to a sweat shop in Cambodia whose building collapsed that killed many of its workers. Instead of being remorseful, Hennes & Mauritz instead denied approval of their orders to the factory to distance itself from the issue (O’Keeffe and Narin). Another company involved is Asics, a Japanese sneaker company. Asics however took a different approach and instead said that it will conduct an investigation to mitigate public anger of being a party to employing sweatshops (Cheang). These cases illustrate that business is indeed amoral that put ethics in business may seem to be an oxymoron because they contradict each other (Crane and Matten, 2006). This would not have happened without our participation and part of the equation of the blame is on us because we patronize and even seek products that are made from sweatshops. Actions which may be considered unethical such as deception and use of sweatshops may even become permissible as long they can become profitable. And if they are exposed, they will readily deny involvement