Netflix- EOTO project

 When we think of Netflix today, we think of binge-watching and watching one episode after another. But how did someone even come up with that idea, and what is the story behind it? It started with a simple problem: late fees.  

Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. The story behind it is funny-Reed Hastings was frustrated over a $40 late fee from a video rental store for a rented copy of Apollo 13. The goal was to create a more convenient and subscription-based rental system. 

The very  first DvD shipped was a copy of Beetlejuice on March 10, 1998. After that 

Netflix.com launched on April 14, 1998. We all associate Netflix with the color red, but at the beginning the DVD envelopes were actually white.

 I came across an article going more into detail about Netflix. Something I thought was interesting is that the original name, for Netflix was Kibble. It was used as a placeholder name and the story behind it is that “No matter how good the advertising, it’s not a success if the dogs don’t eat the dog food,” said Randolph. 

 

In 2007 Netflix introduced streaming, which allows us to watch anytime, anywhere, and use multi- device streaming. Netflix is available in 37+ languages and in over 190 countries worldwide. This makes it available for so many different people around the world, no matter what cultural background. 

But how did Netflix have such a big impact on our society? By releasing full seasons, it created a binge-watching culture around the world. We don't have to leave the house anymore or pay late fees. It shifted from mass broadcasting to personalized media with algorithm-driven recommendations for each user.

 Each of us has a personalized homepage. I don't know how you guys feel, but when I am watching sample TV, I tend to get really annoyed by all the advertisements and I get impatient. Netflix gave us an opportunity to consume entertainment without advertisements and on-demand digital access. 

Netflix got so popular that in 2021 Ben & Jerry's created a Netflix & Chill ice cream flavor. 

I came across another article talking about how Netflix redefined what counts as "television", and it changed the storytelling structure. Important to know is Netflix did not invent television, but it expanded and digitalized it. 

One of the first major shows Netflix published was House of Cards in 2013. It was a really huge success, and it received many Emmy nominations. For Netflix this was just a motivation to invest billions of dollars to create original content. Some other popular Netflix shows that most of us know are Squid Games and Stranger Things. 

Squid Game, for example is a non-English show and Netflix gave it the opportunity to have a worldwide success. Being an international student myself, I know that language can be a barrier. That's why the global success of Squid Games is so interesting. Squid Game showed us that good stories can still reach people everywhere around the world. It connects! 

Even though Netflix made our lives more convenient, there are also some negative effects. People spend hours watching series on Netflix, and this can lead to too much screen time.

 I did some research on this, and I found an article explaining that, for example, watching multiple episodes in a row can lead to sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and difficulties concentrating. We have to be aware of both sides
of effects from Netflix. 

What started as a small idea to solve late fee problems has now turned into one of the biggest entertainment platforms that connect millions of people around the world.

The impact of AI in Social Media & Digital Communication

AI is no longer in the future. Most people use AI on a daily basis. In social media and digital communication, it is a common tool to use nowadays.

 In my field of studies, a huge amount of content nowadays is generated daily, and AI is helpful with visual content creation as well as social media monitoring. 

It also allows us to create new variations of content that is already existing, which was almost impossible before AI. It gives us so many more opportunities in the variety of content we can create.

But we have to consider that AI is not 100% trustworthy, and humans have to check for mistakes. We also have to be aware of the ethical aspects of AI.

But how does it have an effect on jobs? I came across an article about the impact of AI on digital marketing jobs. It says that AI will replace some jobs, but it will also create new opportunities. It mentions that people need to be retrained, which could be an issue. 

But how can I prepare for all of that? Another article I found talks about how to build your skills for AI and the future. “AI won't take your job, but a person who knows how to use AI might”. This is something that really stood out to me because it shows me that I have to learn how to use AI and get hands on experience with it.  

I think that my dreams and hopes for the future are still possible, but I need to adjust to the things that are changing and stay informed about the AI evolution. 

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Online Privacy

Most of us are using our phone every day and take it with us everywhere. We take pictures, download apps, and text our loved ones without even questioning it. I came across a few different TED Talks talking about online privacy. 

Watching Juan Enriquez TED Talk, the term "electronic tattoos" stood out to me. But what even is an electronic tattoo? Juan Enriquez uses "electronic tattoos" as a metaphor, and it talks about our digital footprint and our online identity. This means every time you send a message, go online or even drive somewhere, you are being "marke" with data. In the TED Talk Enriquez mentions that those tattoos last way longer than we humans do. 

Another TED Talk I have watched is from Catherine Crump about abuse of power. She is talking about
and showing us that we are always watched even though we sometimes do not notice. Automatic license plate readers play a big role in all of this. They are taking pictures of the license plate of every car that drives by and are often on police cars, traffic lights, and even on poles. So no matter if you did anything wrong, they will still collect your data. Those cameras can see every step of us and where we go and with who we go. 

Most of us are using social media regularly and post many different things. We all have heard our parents say "Be careful what you post, it will always come back to you". I never really thought about it and how serious it actually is. Looking back at the "digital tattoo" everything we post becomes part of our digital footprint, and the Internet doesn't forget. But often we don't even know where this data goes. 

One example is Face.com which has millions of faces stored. So this makes me question if our privacy is actually protected and who uses all our data? We need to be more mindful about what we post and who
could access the data. 

Eight Values of Free Expression

We all have heard about the First Amendment and how it protects free speech in many different ways. However, the specifics of the right are often forgotten. Experts have grouped the First Amendment into eight values of free expression: 

1. Marketplace of Ideas, 2. Participation in Self-Government, 3. Stable Change, 4. Individual Self-Fulfillment, 5. Check on Governmental Power, 6. Promote Tolerance, 7. Promote Innovation, 8. Protect Dissent. 

One value that I find myself most connected to is Protect Dissent. Steve Shiffrin describes Protect Dissent and focuses on the idea that people should be able to speak against the government and majority.  Nowadays, we often forget our rights, such as the right to dissent and to criticize the government, even though they are so important. The first amendment is there to be able to say NO. We should be able to criticize the government, and this needs to be protected.

I came across an article that shows different Supreme Court cases and why Protect Dissent is so crucial for society and the world we are living in. One example is Justice Harlan in Plessy v Ferguson (1896). The case was about racial segregation and that the Louisiana law required Black and White people to ride in different train cars. Justice Harlan was the only one that disagreed and said that the constitution is "color-blind" and everyone should be equal under the law. 

Often the right answer is not automatically what the majority thinks. Coming to the United States, I learned that it is important to hear other opinions and how much it helps you to grow as a person. I believe that many different opinions lead to many new ideas, and it is important to question different things. 

Even today, we see similarities to the cases before. One example I want to use is Black Lives Matter.  The protest addresses systemic injustice and government policies. Protect Dissent gives Black Lives Matter activists the opportunity to speak up against unfair treatment and racism. 

It is important because it helps to challenge the government, brings up new ideas, pushes the government, and can even create better laws. 

Another thing I want to talk about is that Protect Dissent is not only important for modern protests like Black Lives Matter, but it is also crucial for times of war or crises. One example is the Dennis v. United States case from the Cold War Era. 

The case was about people with unpopular opinions during an extremely difficult time. Justice Douglas plays an important role in the case, he says that the government cannot punish someone just for saying something unpopular. But why does this matter for Protect Dissent? It shows us that even in hard times, people can speak up against the government. 

All of this has a personal significance for me. Moving to the United States helped me to see how important it is to hear different opinions. Being a student-athlete I see how important it is to speak up when something is unfair, and Protect Dissent shows me that everyone's opinion matters, even if it's not the loudest voice. 

Learning about Protect Dissent has shown me how important it is to speak up and to understand that we have a right to say NO. 

My Top 5 Sources for News and Information

Nowadays, there are so many different news sources that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Often, we just scroll on social media and forget what is reality. I was thinking about what I really use and what my top five news sources are.

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#1 ARD Tagesschau 

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My top source to go to for getting news and information is the ARD Tagesschau. It is known for reliable reporting and it is the most watched news program in Germany. It is easily accessible and covers the daily news, national and international. Growing up my parents watched it every day and it became a routine in the family. One of my favorite things is that you can easily implement it in your daily life. It covers a variety of topics like politics, economy and breaking news. 

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#2 Eurosport 

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Eurosport is one of the major TV channels for sport coverage and covers live events, major tournaments as well as documenetaries and analysis. One of my favorite things to watch with my family on Eurosport is the Tour de France one of the biggest cycling events in the world. Eurosport allows us to watch many different sports and see detailed insights, highlights and player breakdowns. It is easily accessible and allows us to watch live and on-demand online. 

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#3 Google 

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Google is something we all have heard about and many of us use it every day. My favorite thing about Google is that it is a very quick access to information and can find news and research instantly.  Important to notice is that the credibility depends on the actual website Google points me to. A feature about Google I do really like is that it works on many different devices, like your smartphone or tablet. 

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#4 Sky Sport 

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Sky Sport is another live coverage for major sports. The most popular sport on Sky Sport is soccer. It covers leagues like Premiere League, Bundesliga and Champions League. My favorite thing to watch on Sky Sport is the Champions League, especially when Real Madrid is playing (my favorite team). In addition, it also offers high quality with multiple camera angles and clear broadcasts. Sky Sports also allows us to see behind the-scenes content. 

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#5 Euronews 

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Euronews covers news from all over Europe and offers content in many different languages. It focuses on themes like politics, economy and society. It is very neutral and authentic. I use Euronews, especially when elections are coming up around Europe or major events are happening. 

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These are my go-to news and information sources to stay informed about what is happening in our world.