Printing; What's there to be pressed about?

 Who reads books anymore anyways? 

I hear the cries of Gen Z echoing through my thoughts, knowing there is little that can be done to tell the history of the printing press without boring a small segment of readers to the brink of exhaustion, but I will still do my best. 

The tangible effects of the Printing Press are well documented; production of written works across all of Europe exploded, exponentially growing in each passing decade. But such a study would be too easy, and too simple. Instead, let's take a deep look at the societal effects of the printing press and how it shaped the humans who have come and gone since its invention. 

All inventions throughout human history have spawned from one commonality; a need. This need is relative, sometimes dire to the survival of humanity in the case of medicine and science, but sometimes less pressing, like an automatic dishwasher or dryer. In all fairness, to call Johannes Gutenberg’s machine an “invention” is a bit misleading and unfair to those before him. The printing press had already existed, but the process was slow and very rudimentary. Written works could be produced, but they could not be produced en masse. This system is one that suited the status quo of the day; only exceedingly large organizations with a mass amount of manpower can truly spread their ideas across large geographic regions. What organization in the 15th century loved this? That would of course, be the Catholic Church. 

Now, here it is important to note that Gutenberg was not some radical revolutionary trying to invent a machine to dissolve the Catholic Church; rather, quite the opposite. Gutenberg was a simple inventor who saw a need and spent years perfecting his model for the Gutenberg Press. And, by 1450, his invention was mastered and ready to produce written works en masse. And it was at this moment the snowball began to roll uncontrollably, into an avalanche. 

Now, ideas can be printed in quantities never before seen in humanity. For the first time, it truly seemed that the ideas of man can spread faster than man itself. No longer were the ideas being spread restricted to the clergy and nobleman, but rather the average artisan with a few extra coins lying around can have his ideas printed and distributed to whomever he deems appropriate. It is no coincidence that the Protestant Reformation shortly followed the invention of the press, as it is not an overstatement that this was the most important invention in the history of mankind. Printing had increased exponentially decade over decade, and with this literacy rates began to skyrocket, relatively speaking. Reading was no longer reserved for the political class, but began to leak its way into the lower rungs of society as well. Many advancements were made in science, math, medicine, the arts, theater, and so much more due to Gutenberg’s work. 

The Printing Press is certainly, at this point, an obsolete piece of technology. Yet, it’s historical influence cannot be overstated, as the basis of all mass media spawned from this very moment. The Gutenberg Press is simply put, the most critical turning point in the history of humankind since the death of Jesus Christ himself.

Spread the Word!

http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/press.html

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/johann-gutenberg

What is a Marketplace, without any Currency?

 “You can’t handle the truth!” 

This quote, one of my personal favorites, is a double edged sword. On one hand, the majority of my peers will never understand the power and beauty of this quote. On the other hand, I have a gut feeling my target audience does indeed understand the force behind such words. On the surface, it is but another quote from acting legend Jack Nicholson, but looking deeper can help us get to the bottom of an age-old question; what is truth?

In our political discourse today, the idea of truth has evolved from one of objectivity to subjectivity; no longer is there “the” truth. No no, rather this multiple “truths”, all molded by the varying experiences and political perspectives an individual holds. This, from my lens, is the most core fundamental issue facing our current political landscape. So the question remains; how can these falsified ideas of truth be reconvened into a single objective truth once more?

The only way to truly be able to better the state of our information wars is to peel back the smoke and mirrors regarding the dispensing of information. Smoke and mirrors only serve those trying to bend and mold the truth to their own narrative. This is the idea brought forth by John Stuart Mill, one that is built on the infallible nature of truth. Mill theorized that when truth and falsehoods are able to be put against each other in the public space, that truth would always win out. The rampant use of censorship, misinformation, and intellectual warfare has destroyed this battleground, thus the battles can never take place. The scientific method is a lost artform, as ideas are rarely pitted against each other to find truth; rather, ideas are simply thrown at political opponents like frag grenades being aimlessly thrown into no mans land.

America is a nation built on bureaucracy and red tape, and to revive the marketplace of ideas, we must rip away the red tape. When was the last time two elected officials had a formal debate to discuss policy? Why aren’t our officials working to try and find the best solutions for our nation's collective policies? Ideas are no longer put through any form of litmus test, so their integrity is never brought into question. 

So, how do we restore the marketplace of ideas? We rebuild the model of a marketplace, something that can be manipulated and molded by powerful actors, to a coliseum, a battleground where only two ideas can enter, and only one can remain. Granted, this description sounds more Thunderdome than coliseum, but the point remains, that a fair, level, and true debate forum would help the truth return to its place on the ideological throne. After all, these terms should be open, fair, and agreeable to all who wish to try and tell the truth.

And for those fearful of the implications of what a debate stage can bring, those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear; a slogan of war in the age of digital privacy, but a rallying cry for hope, when trying to return the truth to what it was meant to be; truth. 

https://rdi.org/defining-democracy-marketplace-of-ideas/

Privacy; How much is too much?

 C'mon, you can admit it. You've had the conversation before. You know the one I'm talking about. 

"I won't let the government track me" cries the man, woman, or child who carries around an iPhone everyday. You stand there pondering whether or not to point out the obvious to the poor soul, but you decide to save yourself the own internal frustrations.

This is the conversation indicative of the state of the privacy wars in America; Illusion versus reality. For the average American, if you asked about the level of surveillance the government uses on its citizens, the answers you would receive are vastly different.  On one end of the spectrum, we have the blissfully ignorant segment of the population who will under estimate the amount they are being watched. On the other end of the spectrum, the extremists exist whos paranoia leads them to believe that every movement of every citizen is being monitored by one of the famed 3 lettered agencies that patrol our great nation. The scariest part for our nation is not this wide range of ideas, but rather the evidence it provides to prove that the level of surveillance we endure is an absolute mystery to the American citizen; and I believe this to be more concerning of an issue than the surveillance itself.

                                         

    Following the pandemic, risk has become a prominent theme in American politics. How much is too much? Under the lens of surveillance, it should be a consensus that not every American has the best interest of the nation in mind. Certainly, people can admit that there are bad actors and bad individuals who currently roam our borders; naturally, surveilling them to make sure they aren't engaging in dangerous behavior is important. The question then becomes; Is the privacy of the common, law abiding citizen worth the risk of the citizens who are deemed a threat to others?

    This question will lead to the core of the argument; protection of the state, weighed against the privacy of the individual. The oft used stance towards those who support the invasion of privacy suggests "those who have nothing to hide shouldn't be concerned with such practices." This idea is more or less Ad Hominem, as the answer to the debate on privacy should not be determined by outcome. Stopping a dangerous plot should not be the impotence to suggest more surveillance. This practice of cause and effect would simply lead to a cycle that consists of law abiding citizens being directly punished for the crimes of law-breakers. This practice would snowball into authoritarianism in no time whatsoever. 

So, what is the solution? What is the happy medium between state and citizen? These are the questions that will lead to the end of the privacy wars, so long as the conversation is built around reaching a compromise. The state needs to find a way to respect the individual rights, while the individual respects the right of the government to keep the population safe. So once more, I will pose the original question;

How much is too much? As always this is the case in politics, this is a conversation the American people must undergo; or else the American populace will bear the burden of their own indifference.

https://www.intoon.com/cartoons.cfm/id/117047

https://blog.internxt.com/cybersecurity-meme/

https://nationalpress.org/topic/data-privacy-roe-v-wade/

The Supreme Court: The Road to Supremacy

 Supreme is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as "highest in rank or authority" and "highest in degree." This is important because to the ignorant youth of America, the Supreme Court would naturally be a fitting name for the body that was deemed the highest court in all the land. Those who are versed in the history of the American Supreme Court know that it wasn't always, quite frankly, that supreme. 

Enough time has past where now the birth of our great nation has been subjected to the propaganda of many generations, but it must be understood. America did not immediately sprout out of the ground as the worlds most dominant superpower. For the first couple decades of America's existence, the road to liberty was rocky, tumultuous, and difficult. The founding fathers knew that the process of nation building would be a process that requires the most delicate of care in order to avoid the mistakes of previous empires, so the lynchpin in their ideas was the Supreme Court.

It's important to note the prestige now associated with the Supreme Court wasn't always the case. I've known there has been only 45 different presidents (Grover Cleveland is both the 22nd and 24th president), but I was surprised to learn  there have only been 112 Supreme Court Justices. The Supreme Court got its start with seemingly irrelevant cases, but once judicial review was introduced, the momentum began to build. 

As years went by, the list of notable cases to pass through  the Supreme Court grew, and with it the legacy and respect of the court continued to swell. One of the Court's most notable success stories of the Court was former President Taft. President Taft was notorious for how much he hated being President, and his immense weight gain was a direct result of the stresses of the job. It took the Court to save his life, as following his miserable tenure in the presidency he served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This story is one of the most poetic in American politics, a true microcosm of reality; a former President has his life saved by the Supreme Court, apropos as the presidency itself would die without the Supreme Court. 

 

Following the overturn of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court has re-entered the public space as the topic of hot conversation. Regardless of how one feels on the specific issue, it should be universally disappointing to see such disparaging and vitriolic words being thrown at a body that once commanded such great respect. To these people who decry the actions of the Supreme Court and their critical role in our democracy, I say this; remember that respect is not freely given, but it is earned. Many of America's greatest moral achievements have been in the hallowed walls of this Court. This respect was not inherent to the court's title of "Supreme"; it was earned over the lifespan of our great nation.

For the vast majority of Americans in Generation Z, the Supreme Court is archaic creation from a bygone era. It's important to the history of our nation to understand the past behind the highest court in our land. It had to fight and claw to gain respect over generations, just like the story of many of the millions of immigrants who come to America each year. 

The Supreme Court didn't do their way, they did it the American way.

https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/supreme-court-facts

 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supreme

https://supremecourthistory.org/chief-justices/william-howard-taft-1921-1930/

Top 5 Sources of Information

 The top 5 sources of information in my life vary greatly, as my interests span across all mediums. Here are my top 5, and maybe we have one or two in common!

1. Reddit

I use what are called "megathreads" to be able to try and compile the most perspective of information possible using their site. In terms of news, I believe the variable of merit is quantity over quality. In the modern age, Reddit allows me to amass dozens upon dozens of perspectives to best be able to formulate my own opinion on news subject, while also providing communities for some of my more niche hobbies and interests. For those who have never used it, I would highly recommend it. It is accessible through any internet browser, as well as having a mobile app. Best of all, its free! 

2. MSM Through social media

This source contains the various organizations and individuals who i follow on Tiktok, Instagram, and other social media sites. This allows me to be able to choose from the mainstream narrative the opinions I trust, while condensing the content I want to consume. For example, rather than watching an hour of MSNBC, I can follow Jim Cramer on Instagram in order to see his condensed segment without having to patiently wait through a whole television program. Please do note,  I would never actually go to Jim Cramer for financial advice; I have standards, I promise!

3. Cable Television News

Cable Television News is where I consume the vast majority of my political information. I don't necessarily indulge in the propaganda machine of major networks, but even as times change, Cable News is still the home of most mainstream political content. More or less, these are the true battlegrounds of politics; interviews, debates, speeches; the list goes on and on! More than anything, I will make an admission; my most watched program is the 6:30 ABC World News with David Muir... this is only because its on before Jeopardy! Rest in peace, Mr. Trebek. 

4. Daily Interactions with Others 

This is my opinion is the most underutilized news source in the world; talking to people! We as humans underestimate how much we can learn from one another, and this is no different in the case of gathering the news from a human being on a TV screen. I try and learn from people around me, even if the information is seemingly useless. Just today, I learned that one of the employees in the Cafe was a former veteran; this isn't "news" per se, but regardless the world is full of interesting information. Talk to someone you normally wouldn't, and I promise you can learn something new!

5. Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report is my go to service for all things sports related, as their new age model gets news out quicker and in a more palatable format than industry stalwart ESPN. Even venturing just outside sports, the app contains news on sports gaming, professional wrestling, and a variety of niche interests that often overlap with the sports world. Its a one stop shop for many of my interests, which makes the app a staple of my news gathering repertoire. Sports is a year round business, and I receive notifications 365 days a year. No days off!

These mediums are how I most commonly consume my information. We live in the information age, and sometimes enough is enough. More important than consuming media, its important to take brain breaks to take care of your wellbeing. Your wellbeing should always come first!

https://archive.org/details/KGO_20201109_013000_ABC_World_News_Tonight_With_David_Muir

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/01/supreme-court-allows-reddit-mods-to-anonymously-defend-section-230/