Is Living in the Age of the Internet a Right or Privilege?
Dr. Merten Reglitz explains the pros and cons of government-subsidized internet.
Social Media and Internet Sub-categories:
The State of Journalism: A New, Expanding Format
Many media are outlets shifting their formats to better compete with social media and Americans’ reduced attention spans. Co-founder of Axios Roy Schwartz joins us this week to talk about how everyone, and not just journalists, can use this stylistic change to improve both their writing and presenting.
Phone Guidelines for Kids
With more young people owning tech at an earlier age, it’s important for both parents and kids to sit down from the get-go and talk about how to stay safe online, minimize social media use and more.
The Rise of YouTube
YouTube was created by three friends in 2005 and, shortly after, was sold to Google in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars. Since then, it’s become the largest video-sharing platform in the world.
Have Americans Stopped Keeping Up With the News?
More Americans are turning to social media for their news instead of seeking out information from established news outlets. We discuss what’s driving this push and how it’s affecting information accuracy.
The Rise of BookTok
More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on TikTok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers.
Culture Crash: The Race to Stay Present for Social Media Sites
With TikTok continuously adding new users, many platforms like Instagram and Facebook are fighting to stay current with new updates mimicking TikTok. But, what if some of us like these OG platforms the way they are?
Jumping Jobs in 2022
In 2021, more than 40 million Americans left their jobs. We analyze how the pandemic changed mindsets on work and discuss some strategies that people who are looking to switch jobs can use.
America’s Cultural Ties With Fast Food
We speak with Adam Chandler, journalist and author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom about the events that fed into the rapid rise of the fast-food industry and how different chains are fighting to stay present and on-trend in today’s competitive restaurant landscape.
Regaining Digital Privacy
While it may seem like people have some control over privacy settings, this is merely an illusion argues law professor Neil Richards. This week on Viewpoints - we highlight the lack of privacy online and why consumers should expect better from corporations and their government.
The Rise of ‘Influence’ in This World
Being an influencer has turned into a career option for some, and today, some college students are pursuing degrees in social media to work within the industry or try their hand at becoming an influencer themselves. We discuss the state of social media education and the larger implications of this shift in modern culture.
The Modern Library
Many libraries have stepped up and evolved during the pandemic to offer more remote classes and resources, as well as a place to work and connect with others if you need to get out of the house. The best part? It’s all free.
Are You Addicted To Your Phone?
The average American checks their phone about 90 times a day, according to a 2019 survey from tech research firm, Asurion. How often would you say you check? Every hour? Once every 20 minutes? Do you ever panic when your phone isn’t right next to you?
Culture Crash: The Beauty of TikTok
The social media platform, TikTok started in September 2016. There have been many critics over the years that have doubted the lasting popularity of the short-form, video-driven service. But, fast forward five years later and it’s still booming. What sets TikTok apart from the graveyard of dead platforms like Snapchat and Vine?
The Rise of Cryptocurrency
The cryptocurrency that started it all, Bitcoin, is now valued at around 1.6 trillion dollars. And in just the last month, another, newer form of crypto, Dogecoin has skyrocketed in popularity across the Internet, sharply driving up the price per token. We explore the fascinating and fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency and the future of traditional …
End-Of-Life Planning: Have You Gotten Your Affairs In Order?
About 60 percent of Americans don’t yet have a written will in place. People spend a lifetime working hard, saving money, building assets, but often never think about what would happen in case they suddenly passed away. Viewpoints speaks with life planning expert, Abby Schneiderman, about the importance of organizing your life both on paper and online.
Siri, Self-Driving Cars and Disinformation on Social Media: The Ups & Downs of Artificial Intelligence
AI software is everywhere these days. It’s built into cars, tech, robotics and used in numerous fields from stock portfolio management to pharmaceuticals. But, what does the future of artificial intelligence hold as this technology expands? How will current problems be exacerbated? AI expert and New York Times journalist, Cade Metz joins Viewpoints this …
A Newsfeed Overload
How often do you skim a headline and feel like that’s all you need to know? Or gather your daily news from a Twitter or Facebook feed? Economist & journalist Tim Harford joins Viewpoints this week to share the impacts of sensationalized or one-sided information and how we can all become more inquisitive consumers of content.
Relationships: The Human Experience in 2020
Dr. Debora Spar joins Viewpoints this week to share how innovation affects several different aspects of our lives and what the future holds in this space.
Back To School 2020: Learning Through Tech
Navigating back to school this year has been challenging to say the least. With switching policies and protocols, everyone is just trying to get through the fall one day at a time. Viewpoints speaks with two education experts about the biggest barriers to learning and what online education technology can really offer students.
Fueling Creativity: Funding Modern, Independent Invention
Without inventors like Benjamin Franklin or visionaries like Elon Musk, the world would look a bit different. Both of these people and countless others followed their passion, but sometimes it can be hard to slow down and take a risk.
Dot Con: Pranking the Authors of Spam Emails
Author and comedian, James Veitch has made a name for himself by replying to these scams and continuing the conversation, effectively wasting the scammers time as much as they waste ours. We speak with him about his trade and the major telltale signs to look out for in a scam.
Is Instagram the New Online Diary For Generation Z?
While some of us still prefer pen and paper, many younger people are shifting completely online. And it’s not just for to-do lists or communication, but also using platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook as a daily, reflective ‘online diary’ of sorts.
Culture Crash: The Difficulty of Placing Media & Literature Into Distinct Genres (2020)
Sometimes a new release fits into multiple genres but has to be classified into one specific genre. Star Wars is labeled as a space opera – but what exactly does that mean? Viewpoints discusses these conundrums.