DCI……?

After taking DCI 180 as a first-year, my previous interest in technology peaked. This non-traditional style of a class centered around a Netflix TV show and student discussions led me to have a different perspective on how we use technology as humans. After that class, I began taking more classes in the Computer Science department, eventually finding a passion for the subject and declaring a major in it. That class challenged my thinking and my typical thoughts on how to learn which is what brings me back to taking it senior year.

Digital culture and information relates to my personal life because my entire life revolves around technology from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. The first thing I wake up in the morning to is an alarm from my iPhone which I instantly pick up to see what notifications I received from when I was asleep. When I go to school I bring my laptop; where I’m taking notes in class or doing research for a specific project or paper. And when I go to sleep, I set my alarm for the next morning. Everything I look up and every website I visit and interact with is tracked and that information is used the next time I open my laptop. I find this particularly interesting, but in reality, concerning. Every single thing we do leaves a footprint on the internet and is used to manipulate how we use it in the future. I find the need for privacy and understanding how your data is being used more important than ever. However, is there a way to change this? Some personal goals and skills I want to develop in this class is fully understanding more on how my data is being collected and then used towards me. How does Instagram know I was talking about a specific brand to my friend in-person and then show me an ad on it right after? I am also interested in the growth of artificial intelligence as seen through ChatGPT and how powerful it truly will be in the future.

Success for me in this class will be defined by the discussions we have through the varying opinions and backgrounds of my peers. I like this style of class that is dominated by discussion and where we get to hear people’s thoughts whether they contrast or agree with ours. I want my opinions to be challenged and my thoughts to be stretched which I think this class will do.