# data[].attributes.headline
Module 6 Concept: High School Students and Limited Free Speech Rights

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 6 Concept: High School Students and Limited Free Speech Rights

# data[].attributes.body
High school students do not lose all of their free speech rights when they go to school. While they must work within a tighter framework, they still maintain their rights. They can express their speech as long as it is not disruptive to the operations of the school. I see this being an issue when the ideas expressed come into conflict with the ideals of the school organization. For instance, one can express themselves with clothing, except when they are not allowed. They can pass out flyers and petition, however school boards can pass regulations and rules to dampen the students efforts. The schools cannot however regulate based off substance, for example they can ban branded T-shirts but not a specific T-shirt because they don't like Nike.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 6 Concept: High School Students and Limited Free Speech Rights

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 6 Concept: High School Students and Limited Free Speech Rights

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In a win for freedom of speech, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public high school officials violated a student's First Amendment rights when they suspended her from cheerleading for posting a vulgar Snapchat selfie over the weekend and off school grounds. EFF filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court in support of the student, and a brief that proved influential in the Third Circuit.

The case, Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., involved a public high school student who was placed on the junior varsity cheerleading squad after failing to make varsity. Out of frustration, Brandi Levy (later identified by her full name since she is no longer a minor) shared a "snap" with her middle finger raised and text that said, among other things, "fuck cheer." The message was posted on a Friday night from a local convenience store. The cheerleading coaches suspended Levy from the J.V. squad for a year after one of her Snapchat connections took a screen shot of the message and shared it with them.

The school justified the punishment of Levy's off-campus speech by invoking the Supreme Court's opinion in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), which held that students may not be punished for their on-campus speech unless the speech "materially and substantially" disrupted the school day or invaded the rights of others. The school further justified Levy's suspension on the ground that social media posts generated off campus can easily be brought onto campus given the widespread use of cell phones and the internet. We argued that Tinker should not be used to punish off-campus speech-including social media speech.

In ruling in favor of Levy, the Supreme Court did not go as far as we had hoped. The Court held that Tinker may sometimes justify restrictions to off-campus speech: "[W]e do not believe the special characteristics that give schools additional license to regulate student speech always disappear when a school regulates speech that takes place off campus."

However, the Supreme Court emphasized that the situations in which public schools may reach into the private lives of students are sharply limited. The Court stated that "the leeway the First Amendment grants to schools in light of their special characteristics is diminished" when it comes to off-campus speech. The Court identified only four off-campus contexts where the "school's regulatory interests remain significant" and may warrant punishment:

[1] serious or severe bullying or harassment targeting particular individuals; [2] threats aimed at teachers or other students; [3] the failure to follow rules concerning lessons, the writing of papers, the use of computers, or participation in other online school activities; and [4] breaches of school security devices, including material maintained within school computers.

The Supreme Court explained that there are three important "features" of off-campus speech that make it different from on-campus speech and thus make regulation of off-campus speech less justifiable.

First, "a school, in relation to off-campus speech, will rarely stand in loco parentis," meaning in the place of a parent. The Court explained that this doctrine applies "where the children's actual parents cannot protect, guide, and discipline them," factors typically not present when it comes to students expressing themselves outside of school.

Second, most powerfully, schools should have a limited ability to punish off-campus speech because "from the student speaker's perspective, regulations of off-campus speech, when coupled with regulations of on-campus speech, include all the speech a student utters during the full 24-hour day."

Third, "the school itself has an interest in protecting a student's unpopular expression, especially when the expression takes place off campus." The Supreme Court recognized that "public schools are nurseries of democracy" with a duty to educate students about how the "free exchange [of ideas] facilitates an informed public opinion, which, when transmitted to lawmakers, helps produce laws that reflect the People's will."

Importantly, the Supreme Court did not create a special rule for off-campus social media speech, failing to heed the school's argument that greater regulation of online speech, even if generated off campus, is necessary due to the uniquely shareable and accessible nature of speech on the internet. In our brief, we argued that the Supreme Court declined to grant lesser First Amendment protection to speech on the internet in Reno v. ACLU (1997) and to social media specifically in Packingham v. North Carolina (2017). As the Packingham Court said, "extreme caution" is necessary to avoid "suggesting that the First Amendment provides scant protection" online.

As Levy said after the Mahanoy decision came out, "I was frustrated, I was 14 years old, and I expressed my frustration the way teenagers do today. Young people need to have the ability to express themselves without worrying about being punished when they get to school."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Public School Students' Off-Campus Speech Rights

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In a win for freedom of speech, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public high school officials violated a student's First Amendment rights when they suspended her from cheerleading for posting a vulgar Snapchat selfie over the weekend and off school grounds. EFF filed an amicus brief in the Supreme...

# data[].attributes.body
The Veil of Ignorance is a concept posited by Philosopher John Rawls. It is the idea that to make good decisions for the whole of a fair society we must remove our lived experience and personal perception for the equation. Only without the input for our personal good, can we truly see whats good for the many. The idea is that society should provide the most freedom the largest population possible, without intruding on freedoms of others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
All people are biased by their situations, so how can people agree on a "social contract" to govern how the world should work.

Philosopher John Rawls suggests that we should imagine we sit behind a veil of ignorance that keeps us from knowing who we are and identifying with our personal circumstances. By being ignorant of our circumstances, we can more objectively consider how societies should operate.

Two primary principles supplement Rawls' veil of ignorance: the liberty principle and the difference principle.

According to the liberty principle, the social contract should try to ensure that everyone enjoys the maximum liberty possible without intruding upon the freedom of others.

According to the difference principle, the social contract should guarantee that everyone an equal opportunity to prosper. In other words, if there are any social or economic differences in the social contract, they should help those who are the worst off. And, any advantages in the contract should be available to everyone.

So, according to Rawls, approaching tough issues through a veil of ignorance and applying these principles can help us decide more fairly how the rules of society should be structured. And fairness, as Rawls and many others believe, is the essence of justice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All people are biased by their situations, so how can people agree on a "social contract" to govern how the world should work. Philosopher John Rawls suggests that we should imagine we sit behind a veil of ignorance that keeps us from knowing who we are and identifying with our personal circumstances.

# data[].attributes.headline
 Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.subject
 Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.body
With the advent of AI there has come to the forefront the discussion about consent in using others image. There are laws to protect individuals from using their image, however there will need to be major changes to bring it into this century. These AI can review the content and learn to become these individuals. This could lead to actors no longer being needed as it will be far more cost effective to use AI content. This is a very terrifying thought to many, as this will undoubtedly go beyond famous people and affect everyone in our society.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deepfake shows Bill Hader morph into Tom Cruise and Seth Rogan in CBS interview

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‘Deep Fakes’ Are Becoming More Realistic Thanks To New Technology

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 6 Article: The Bruce Willis Deepfake's Everyone's Problem 

# data[].attributes.body
The term Fourth Estate refers to news media and press, and their relationship to the government. These various entities are often referred to as a fourth branch of the government because they are unique in their ability to hold the other branches accountable. The idea is that abuses of power will be called out and those involved brought to justice. The idea makes sense as it is one of the only ways for the government to really be held accountable for their actions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
THE FOURTH ESTATE - On the role of journalism: facts vs. fake news
The Fourth Estate, mostly referred to as 'the press', is the guardian of veritas and has a special obligation as such when compared to 'bloggers'. Let's discuss why it matters and why it has this in fact an extremely important role to fulfil.
The Fourth Estate is a societal power, force or institution whose influence is not consistently or officially recognised as such. 'Fourth Estate' most commonly refers to the news media, journalism or 'the press'.

The term 'Fourth Estate' makes implicit reference to the earlier historical division of the Three Estates of the Realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

The equivalent term 'fourth power', used in many European languages as it historically belongs to European constitutional lore dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, refers to the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judiciary branches. This separation of power has become the construct upon which nations have been built throughout the world. Of which the press is the fourth element.

The purpose, 'raison d'être', of this fourth element is to act as an counterbalance, a systemically opposite force that is to report, verify and question matters of governance, public matters as well as commercial ones, conducted by the powers, we the people, have entrusted it with and bestowed upon.

The fact that we call it the fourth power or estate may prelude to the importance and significance we attribute to it.

The legislature, parliament and executive branch, the president, prime minister and cabinet members are naturally divided along political, ideological lines, and so is the press. There is nothing wrong with that per se.

We all are biased, prejudiced to some extent. There is nothing wrong with that per se as long as were are aware of it and are mindful of our purpose, our obligation as consumers, reporters and makers of news. Neutral, objective and critical gathering of news applies to us all. In the case of the press, it has a professional obligation to do so.

We, the consumers of news, opinionators at best, can be excused with some degree of leniency towards our assessment of the facts, the news that is being presented to us. This is what after all constitutes our bias.

Even politicians can not be expected to state the facts and uphold the truth without the coloration of their political agendas and ideologies; matters of perspective and opinion which are not necessarily false or untrue, yet they are coloured.

The press doesn't have this luxury, much like the judiciary hasn't. Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason. Her primary obligation is that of justice, much like the press's primary obligation is that of veritas. To serve the Truth.

The borders have become blurred.

A lot of debate has been going on with regard to so-called 'fake news'. Concocted news, devoid of facts. News that doesn't serve the truth but instead obscure political or personal agendas.

Facts matter. Facts connect us to reality.

Facts matter for they are devoid of morals, ideology or politics. Facts are reports on reality. When something has happened in the real world and subsequently gets reported on, then we call them 'facts'.

Facts are supposedly always true. Yet, facts don't necessarily constitute 'The Truth'. The Truth requires more than facts alone. It requires intellect, the ability to connect the dots, the ability to discern patterns, the ability to aggregate and summarise them into statements of cause and effect.

This is were the press steps in. The press provides a vital role in discerning fact from fiction and reporting thereof from a neutral, unbiased perspective.

We assume expertise and a professional attitude on the part of the journalists, the providers of our news. This assumption implies something that is of even more value than expertise and professionalism: TRUST.

Trust is what binds us together, connects all the individual bubbles we call our reality. We rely on the press to record, investigate, interpret and publish the facts truthfully. We have to be able to trust our journalists. If they fail, we fail.

Journalists are the guardians of veritas, lest they become 'bloggers' or 'vloggers'.

In this blog we opinionate, we write stories from a personal perspective loosely corroborated by factual information. Our articles mostly follow the lines of reasoning; what makes sense to us and what doesn't. We don't report factual information as facts per se. We are opinionators, not journalists.

Yet, we do study and investigate our source material. From a journalist one might expect more time and effort spent, more dedication on fact checking and due diligence.

Journalism is a professional discipline and as with every discipline it requires knowledge, training; it involves methodology, procedures in order to ascertain the facts and report on them accordingly. Journalism is a calling from which few are chosen. Or at least that is how it should be. Much like a doctor or a lawyer. One may want to attain these positions but one may not be qualified to fulfil these tasks.

We assume professionalism from journalists, we grant them our trust, lest we regard them as entertainers.

Journalism's primary purpose is to inform its audience, not to entertain them. That doesn't mean journalism has to be boring. Journalists can be entertaining, yet it should never become the centerpiece of their reports.

When a journalist is in higher regard than the news he or she provides, something is wrong. We are treading on a slippery slope. When a TV news report being called a 'show', then what are we looking at: a newscast or a sitcom?

Why do we regard casters and anchors of news so important to the news they report that we pay them double-digit million dollar salaries?

Different inputs produce different outcomes

In conclusion we would argue that journalism is at the forefront in the battle for the truth: facts vs. fake news

If journalism fails to live up to its intrinsic duty as the guardian of veritas, reporter of facts, we will be overcome by fake news.This will alter our reality or at least the perception of it. This in effect will alter the way we think and act. Different inputs will produce different outcomes.

What if the reporting of fake news were to be deemed a criminal offense?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
THE FOURTH ESTATE - On the role of journalism: facts vs. fake news

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Fourth Estate, mostly referred to as 'the press', is the guardian of veritas and has a special obligation as such when compared to 'bloggers'. Let's discuss why it matters and why it has this in fact an extremely important role to fulfil.

# data[].attributes.body
VALS, or the Values and Lifestyles survey, is a tool to help companies to create products most likely to be desirable to their target audience. This is a market segmentation tool. The categories under VALS are Innovators, Thinkers, Believers, Achievers, Strivers, Experiencers, Makers and
Survivors. These different categories place individuals based off of income and their spending motivations. These range from Innovators who are high earning individuals who like nice things to the Survivors who make the least and tend to be elderly. They also tend to consume the same products regardless of marketing input. This is a mostly specific tool for the US, as it may be to specific in terms of cultural values and norms to translate well to the rest of the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding customer behavior with the VALS psychographic framework

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 5 Article How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 5 Article How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 5 Concept 1: Decline of Local News

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 5 Concept 1: Decline of Local News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Local newsrooms across the country are closing. Here's why that matters

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 5 Concept 1: Decline of Local News

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 5 Concept 1: Decline of Local News

# data[].attributes.body
In recent years, the rate at which local newspapers and news sources closed has been increasing. The communities that have been left without local sources of news have been those of historically marginalized individuals, and those lower on the socioeconomic strata. According to this article from Northwestern News, this causes lower voter turnout and increased corruption. This is detrimental for these communities who already struggle. However it seems there are some nonprofit startups looking to fill local news gaps across the nation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The United States continues to lose newspapers at a rate of two per week, further dividing the nation into wealthier, faster growing communities with access to local news, and struggling areas without.

That is the key takeaway in an ongoing report on the state of local news from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

Between the pre-pandemic months of late 2019 and the end of May 2022, more than 360 newspapers closed, the report by Medill's Local News Initiative found. Since 2005, the country has lost more than one-fourth of its newspapers and is on track to lose a third by 2025.

'News deserts' are growing

Most of the communities that have lost newspapers do not get a print or digital replacement, leaving 70 million residents - or a fifth of the country's population - either living in an area with no local news organizations, or one at risk, with only one local news outlet and very limited access to critical news and information that can inform their everyday decisions and sustain grassroots democracy. About 7 percent of the nation's counties, or 211, now have no local newspaper.

"This is a crisis for our democracy and our society, said Penelope Muse Abernathy, visiting professor at Medill and the principal author of the report. "Invariably, the economically struggling, traditionally underserved communities that need local journalism the most are the very places where it is most difficult to sustain print or digital news organizations."

Recent research shows that, in communities without a strong print or digital news organization, voter participation declines and corruption increases, Abernathy said, contributing to the spread of misinformation, political polarization and reduced trust in media.

The Medill report on "The State of Local News in 2022" focused on researching and analyzing the health of local newspapers and local digital outlets. While newspapers declined over the past two years, an increase in corporate and philanthropic funding contributed to the establishment of 64 new digital sites focused on covering either state or local news. Most digital sites are located in digitally connected urban areas with diverse sources of funding.

"It is critical to understand what is working and where there are still gaps in the flow of reliable, comprehensive and timely news and information," said Tim Franklin, senior associate dean, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News and director of the Medill Local News Initiative. "That way we can build solutions to sustain local journalism in communities that have, so far, been overlooked by entrepreneurs and potential funders."

How many newspapers in your area?

Surviving newspapers, especially dailies, have cut staff and circulation significantly under financial pressure, reducing their ability to fill the gap when communities lose their local papers. More and more dailies are also dropping seven-day-a-week delivery, as they pursue digital subscribers. Forty of the largest 100 daily newspapers now deliver a print edition six or fewer times a week; 11 deliver two times a week or less.

The largest news chains - Gannett, Lee Enterprises and Alden Global Capital - control many of the country's surviving newspapers and continue to close or divest underperformers. The most active buyers in recent years have been privately held regional digital chains, such as Paxton Media Group and CherryRoad Media, which bought its first paper in 2020 and now owns 63 papers in 10 midwestern states.

Signs of hope in local news

The report found that some for-profit news organizations are prospering, especially those in affluent or growing communities, and nonprofit and hybrid business models are being pioneered in cities from coast to coast.

"There are signs of hope," said Franklin. "New nonprofit digital local news startups have launched or been announced in places like Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland and Houston. Some legacy news outlets are deftly transforming from print to digital. There are unheralded local news leaders who are adapting and experimenting with new models. And local news is increasingly being delivered through newsletters and other digital platforms. But the need to innovate is urgent."

Among the tools Northwestern uses to assist local news organizations is the Medill Local News Initiative, a research and development project and website devoted to bolstering new business models. The Medill Subscriber Engagement Index helps newsrooms track their digital subscribers, boost retention and attract new readers. The Medill Metro Media Lab works with Chicago news organizations on consumer research, audience strategy and financial management.

"Medill's local news audience research and strategy work is providing tangible, actionable insights for local news organizations at a critical time for the industry. And we expect to expand our commitment to this effort in the coming months," said Franklin.

The news desert report has been published on the Local News Initiative site. This is the fifth update of the report since Abernathy first published it in 2016.
The map above was produced by Medill's Local News Initiative.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
As newspapers close, struggling communities are hit hardest by the decline in local journalism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The United States continues to lose newspapers at a rate of two a week, further dividing the nation into wealthier, faster growing communities with access to local news, and struggling areas without, according to a report on the state of local news from the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 5 Article: How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 5 Article: How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.body
More and more with the partisan divide, politicizing in consumerism has become more prevalent. A great example is the recent incident with Bud Light and their support for the LGBTQA+ community. This was incredibly foolish on Bud light's part because their consumer base, for the most part has very strong opinions about the LGBTQA+ community. This backfired for Bud Light, after which they backtracked, and then were cancelled from the other side for placation of bigotry. For the most part ad campaigns tend to be more on what in this country we think as "liberal." The term "woke" has been used in recent years to make money using politization of consumerism. If we go back to the Bud Light example, there was a company that was very successful for a short time for being the "non woke beer" company.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 5 Article: How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 5 Article: How Politics Influences Branding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'Bud Light of insurance': Florida official blames insurer crisis on wokeness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Insurance is now the fourth major home insurer to leave Florida. With no real solution to this growing problem, the DeSantis administration is blaming wokeness. "This is not about wokeness-this is about the weather," says Wharton professor and economist Ben Keys.

# data[].attributes.body
Banner Ads are the ads on the top and sides of web pages to try to drive traffic to the web sites of the company marketing. This is a very effective way to increase traffic to the site advertised. The rate at which this happens is known as the click through rate. The price of these ads is determined by the number of views it gets, or "impressions." These promotions using contain their call to action, or what the advertiser suggests you do. As these ads are usually viewed very quickly in scrolling it is paramount to have a simple, eye-catching ad with a clear message.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Photoshop Tutorial - How to Banner Ads Design in Photoshop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is a Banner Ad - Best practices and why are they important?

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.body
Sweeps are a period in time that happens four times a year. These periods are in November, February, May and July.
This is when the various ratings are used to determine the advertising rates for networks and shows. The programming during this period tends to be of the highest quality, with the most interesting guest stars. Tv shows use cliff hangers at the end of seasons to help spike rating during the next sweep when the showing resumes. So during these peak viewership times is when we can as viewers to expect exciting things to happen on tv programming. From a perspective of someone trying to advertise however this is a terrible system. It does not actually increase viewership of advertising, more often than not it is a faux spike not leading to increased revenue. Before taking this class, this was something I was completely unaware that it existed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Television's February sweeps period started Thursday and runs through March 2, so brace yourself for a slew of guest stars, wedding episodes, and other attention-grabbers. We all know that TV networks try to spike their ratings during sweeps, but how exactly does the system work? Why do networks care about these particular weeks in the first place? Let's take a look at some sweeps questions.
© Bettmann/CORBIS
The idea of sweeps dates back to 1954. That year, ratings research juggernaut Nielsen began sending a sample of households around the country little diaries in which the family would record everything it watched on TV for a seven-day period. These diaries were then returned to Nielsen and used to estimate the size of shows' audiences. Over time, the sweeps period got longer, and even though we still hear talk of "sweeps week," the modern sweeps period actually lasts four weeks.

Blame our crummy collective handwriting.

When Nielsen began sending out the viewing diaries in 1954, it was apparent that taking the time to read and collate all of the data from thousands of handwritten diaries was a pretty epic task. To cut down on the workload, Nielsen decided it would only send out diaries for four-week periods four times a year. Viewers would get the diaries in February, May, July, and November, and the data collected in each survey could be used for the next three months.

The name "sweeps" is another artifact of Nielsen's early methodology. Collecting all of those diaries and recording the data was thorny task, so to simplify the process the company collected the seven-day diaries by region. Nielsen collected the Northeast's diaries first and then "swept" across the country until it had the logs of West Coast viewers.

Yes and no. National ads make up the majority of networks' advertising revenues; a typical half-hour primetime show will feature six minutes of national ads and just two minutes of local ads. Sweeps don't affect the rates for national ads, which are set using year-round national data.

Sweeps do affect the rates for the two minutes of local ads, though. The month-long bonanza of stunt casting and very special episodes determines how much local advertisers will be shelling out to air their ads for the following three months. This system gives networks a huge financial incentive to cram every ratings-grabbing ploy they can into any sweeps period.

It's not just you. Back in the days when all of the viewing diaries were handwritten, the logistical hurdles of collecting the data made the sweeps system seem reasonable. Now that the process could be computerized, it makes much less sense. The system is somewhat akin to not eating for a week before weighing yourself then claiming the scale's readout is your "real" weight.

Local advertisers loathe the sweeps system because it artificially inflates audience numbers, which in turn inflates the ad rates they have to pay. Networks and commission-based ad agencies love sweeps for just this reason, though. Since the local advertisers are mostly relatively small ad buyers in the grand scheme of things, they don't have much leverage, so the sweeps system can continue to flourish.

Yes. A 2004 piece by Sean Rocha in Slate estimated that Nielsen was still leafing through 1.6 million diaries each year. Nielsen has rolled out an automated alternative called the Local People Meter that can register audience information easily and more reliably. According to Nielsen's website, the Local People Meters are already in place in the country's largest media markets, and in 2007 the company announced plans to roll the LPM technology into 56 of the top 63 media markets. Theoretically, these meters could spell curtains for sweeps because they could easily and accurately estimate year-round audience sizes without the need for arbitrary sample periods like sweeps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Television's February sweeps period started Thursday and runs through March 2, so brace yourself for a slew of guest stars, wedding episodes, and other attention-grabbers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 2, What Are "Sweeps" And Why Do They Matter?

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 1, Why Are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 1, Why Are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 1, Why Are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 1, Why Are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4: Concept 1, Why are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback?

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4: Concept 1, Why are Vinyl Records Making A Comeback?

# data[].attributes.body
It is interesting to view cycles from an outside perspective, to see what ends up returning to popularity. There are many reasons why I think records are making a comeback. The first being the sound quality and warmth that comes from the crackling and popping when you first put on a record. It is a completely different listening experience. Another reason is in this ever-changing world of immediate gratification, records make you stop what you are doing and listen. It is a far more active experience as one cannot simply put a record player in their pocket for a run. One must sit down or be in the near vicinity. One must also flip the record, increasing the likelihood that it will be part of the experience. There has also emerged a very avid fan base online and in various groups. It is a fun communal way to join others in an experience. Finding vinyl is not always easy to do when looking for a specific album, so there is a fun aspect of having to search and collect rare items like any other collector. All in all it completely makes sense individuals are choosing the active experience of a vinyl record over other modes of listening which may fall flat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The first recorded sound was Thomas Edison's voice, captured on phonograph in 1877 reciting part of the nursery rhyme song "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

10 years later, Emile Berliner created the first device that recorded and played back sound using a flat disc, the forerunner of the modern record.

Over the course of the next six decades, records and record players were improved and standardized, with the 33 and 45 RPM records supplanting most other formats in the post WWII years.

By the 1970s, record player technology had evolved to the point where it has changed little in the intervening half century. In that time, cassette tapes came and went. CDs came and are going. And MP3 players were replaced by phones, as were cameras, pocket planners, and our social lives, more or less.

This year, 2020, marks the first year in more than a generation since record sales - that is to say physical vinyl records - have surpassed CD sales. The reasons for this are twofold: CD sales have dropped dramatically in recent years, while sales of vinyl records are actually up this year. And while you might think it's nostalgic Boomers or Gen Xers behind the renaissance of records, in fact surveys show it's millennial consumers driving the rising trend in vinyl sales.

The way most people listen to music has changed. "You hear music when you're in the coffee shop, in the car, in the gym, just walking down the street sometimes, we hear it everywhere," says Scott Hagen, CEO of Victrola. "In every store we go into we hear it, and we're consuming more music than ever before, but not in the same way. The ability to stop and sit and listen to an album from beginning to end, that's something that always has been and always will be relevant."

Charlie Randall, CEO of McIntosh Labs, agrees, saying: "I think it's natural for any generation to think that the technology of their time will be replaced by future technology and go extinct. In large part I think that's the case except with vinyl records. There is something romantic about records, something satisfying about opening the album jacket, seeing the fantastic artwork and studying the liner notes while listening to the album. That's something that today's digital files just can't replace."

There is nothing fast about a record. Whereas you can tap on your phone and pull up a song on Amazon Unlimited or Apple Music in a matter of seconds, with a record you have to remove it from the sleeve, open the top of the record player, place the vinyl disc carefully and set the stylus, then switch it all on and wait as that warm crackle prefaces that rare experience: music as the activity, not as the backdrop.

In an epoch at once ever more frenzied yet also ever more hemmed in during the days of coronavirus social distancing, now more than ever people are embracing this classic "listening in" approach to music. And whereas in the past, a record player might have seemed a luxury item that may even have verged on the frivolous, not only is a new appreciation for how we listen a factor, but any more, high quality turntables are hardly priced out of range for the average consumer.

"We did a lot of insight gathering from our current customers and from people who expressed interest in being a first time record player owner," said Hagen, "and what we learned is that people looking to play vinyl want something with the convenience, the ease of use of a classic suitcase record player, but that looked beautiful in the home and even had a little bit better sound than an entry level player might have sounded like.

"We not only identified those trends, but we also built a record player that looks and sounds great and is still just $99," Hagen said, referring to Victrola's new Eastwood Hybrid Turntable. Why hybrid? Because far from being a throwback, this device, like many similar pieces of audio hardware these days, is also a Bluetooth speaker, so your modern devices can stream just as your classic collection of 33s and 45s can spin. "This category of hybrid record players is just a great way to bring people in to vinyl."

So vinyl is here to stay, it seems, despite all technological advances that would have seemed to threaten it. The same RIAA study that found records surpassing CDs also revealed that streaming music now account for more than 85% of all music enjoyed. Only 6% of music is now downloaded, even less than is physically purchased in the form of records, CDs, or the last tapes.

So records don't sell like digital, but that doesn't mean they're on the outs.

"I think they are certainly here to stay," says Charlie Randall. "We are seeing records and turntables become more popular and more advanced in technology like [with] our MTI100 integrated turntable, for example."

"I think it's got a ton of staying power," Scott Hagen says. "In 2013, there were about $200 million in sales in the U.S. The year, we're probably going to eclipse $600 million just in America. I see the future of vinyl being it becoming more a staple in homes where people value listening to music, not ever less. We just did a survey of more than 400 people, people between 18 and 70 years old, and asked them if they had a vinyl record player in the home, and more than 55% said yes. But what was really interesting, is of those people who had a record player, more than 70% said they had used it, had listened to a record within the last month."

"But even more compelling for me," Hagen added, "was that with the younger people 18 to 29, more than 60% had a record player. And others were planning to get one."

Why does Scott Hagen think that record players are not only not going anywhere but are getting ever more popular?

"Because the world that we're in needs this kind of format - it needs us to slow down and enjoy a really nice meal once in a while, a good bourbon or cocktail now and then, and to sit down and just listen to music sometimes."

Editors' Recommendations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Vinyl Records Are Making a Comeback in 2021 | The Manual

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The first recorded sound was Thomas Edison's voice, captured on phonograph in 1877 reciting part of the nursery rhyme song "Mary Had a Little Lamb." 10 years later, Emile Berliner created the first device that recorded and played back sound using a flat disc, the forerunner of the modern record.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.body
To many it has seemed inevitable that cable tv would be supplanted by the next new thing. Like any service that has lost sight of its customer's wants and needs, cable will continue to lose market share until it is only used by those who have no other choice or do not know better. Not only have they provided hundreds of channels nobody wants, but they have also become so bold that they charge sometimes hundreds of dollars a month for the "privilege." For the same price one could sign up for all the major streaming services and still save money from one's bottom line. Even with the increase in ads on streaming platforms, they are still less prevalent and more cost effective. One of the interesting aspects of streaming will be to see how sports gets divvied up amongst the streaming providers. Will the channels who historically have access to these games have the same access if they make streaming platforms that are popular?

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 4 Article: Cable TV Is the New Landline

# data[].attributes.body
Daguerreotype is the process of subjecting a silver iodide covered copper based plate to light the fuming with mercury and solidified into place with salt. This was the first very successful form of photography which has led to all photographic technology since. As someone who is an amateur photographer, I have seen these images before. There is something incredibly beautiful and artistic about the way the pictures are rendered. Watching this video on the process gave me more of an appreciation for the art form. This process has been brought back as a form of expression despite its complex nature. Learning about the processes involved made me really want to try it for myself!

# data[].attributes.body
ARPNET, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network started in the 1960's as a government that was connected to the Department of Defense. The idea behind its inception was connecting computers using telephone lines. This was created to be a hedge against the Soviet invasion. The intent was to create a system that could send packets of information, that would be more quickly transferable. Through this transference of small amounts of data making up larger portions, was the beginning of the internet as we know it. In splitting up of large amounts of data, these smaller packets go by the easiest mode available making it much quicker and efficient. This made the World Wide Web possible.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ARPANET: The Birth of the Internet | National History Day 2021 | Documentary by Wesley Friberg

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.body
Most people use the internet every day, having not really any idea what some pf the underlying terms mean. There are three major components of the World Wide Web. The first of these being the URL or Uniform resource locator. We can think of this as a street address when trying to find a place. It tells the computer exactly where to go to find specific information. The next of the three is HTTP, or hypertext transfer protocol. HTTP is basically a set of instructions or rules that you as the user are telling the browser to use when looking for a specific web page. The last of the three is HTML which is Hypertext Markup Language. This is the programming language in which web pages are written. It tells the computer what to show and instructions for retrieving a specific page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
World Wide Web(WWW) | Web Technology | Lec-3 | Bhanu Priya

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Concept 1, Components of the World Wide Web

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of ‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of ‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.body
After reading the article for the module on the dangers of AI, it is clear that we must focus on risk mitigation going into the future. Those in charge of OpenAI have given warnings about the possible advancements in the next few years. There has been discussion on whether the idea of America slowing down its AI research until legislation can be set in place. In my mind this would spell the end of America. We must continue to pursue greater knowledge in this field to be able to compete on a global scale. Whether or not we will succeed in this endeavor is yet to be seen. I think that AI will be a huge boon to society, allowing us to reach greater heights, but we must not forget to keep focus on the hidden dangers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
OpenAI CEO, CTO on risks and how AI will reshape society

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.headline
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.subject
Module 3: Article, ChatGPT maker OpenAI calls for AI regulation, warning of‘existential risk’, by Ellen Francis

# data[].attributes.body
Freemium is the business model where you can get the service for free, but a small portion of the service is available. If one wants the whole service, they must pay a reoccurring fee. I was previously unaware that this business model had a name, so it is fascinating to watch this short concise video about this model. By creating the free version, their services are disseminated to a much wider audience than if it was just the premium version released. It's good for software and internet-based items because the ease to transfer a non-paying to paying customer is relatively easy if one has a good platform to spread. I like the model as it lets me try something without having to pay without knowing if it is worth it to me.

# data[].attributes.body
The concept from the text about censorship is especially relevant now as much as it ever has been. As a child I remember the Dixie Chicks spoke out about Bush's invasion of the Middle East, and how they were censored by by much of their fan base. They have their cd's burned, and were boycotted. I just remember thinking how incredibly stupid and unfair it was that there was such a backlash for something that seemed like a reasonable thing to say. It is very that censorship always has an agenda. Much of the time it is from governmental or large organizations that have the power to silence the oppositional voices. There has as of recent years been a rise in censoring books that one side of the political spectrum find to be offensive. I find it necessary to encounter ideas in life we find uncomfortable, so as to challenge our world view and grow as a person.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Banned books: Several US states push laws censoring literature

# data[].attributes.body
Humans have always used pictographs to express themselves and their lives. From the cave people came the cave art, drawings depicting their lives, hunting, gathering, and their rituals. It would make sense then to gather why we as humans love emojis so much. They add context to what might otherwise be a conversation that could mean something completely different. This much needed context in text communications allows us to better utilize these media to communicate in a way that more accurately mimics human interaction.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"I can't wait to see you tomorrow! 😍". While this seems like any other message we might send to a close friend, there is much more than meets "the face with heart eyes".

To find out what some of our most-used emoticons might say about us, spoke to psychologist Leah Selakovic, who shared all about how emojis changed the way we communicate.

Selakovic works at SACAC Counselling , a mental health clinic in Singapore. She said the most frequently used emoticons tended to be the ones involving human faces.
Not even Gen Z disapproval fazed 2021's top emoji
This was reflected in an annual study by Facemoji Keyboard - an app developed by Chinese tech company Baidu. Based on Facemoji's findings, the "face with tears of joy" 😂 topped the ranks as the most-used emoji six years in a row.

"That's not at all surprising once you understand how these different smiley faces work," the psychologist explained.

"It can sometimes be difficult to interpret the tone of a message, and emojis serve to clarify that."

She added that when the sender's message was clear, there was a higher chance of getting the intended emotional response.

Even when a text message was straightforward, emojis could effectively emphasise a point or emotion. Selakovic illustrated this by pointing out the "thumbs up" 👍 emoji, which could, for example, strengthen the positive tone of a simple "Congratulations!" text.

This was how emojis changed our speech patterns and communication, she said. As a matter of fact, the typical "LOL" and "hahaha" responses have been increasingly replaced with their emoji counterparts - "rolling on the floor laughing" 🤣 and "face with tears of joy" 😂. This is because these images are a much more accurate depiction of the facial expressions we make.

"Our brains ... create a link between emojis and the emotions they are meant to represent. These images are a powerful form of non-verbal communication," Selakovic said. "This means our brains process them as emotional communication rather than words."

Thus, a lot of meaning could be packed inside these tiny icons, and they might even reveal certain aspects of our personalities.
How to say LOL, IDC and more in Cantonese texting slang
Researchers at the University of Rochester published a study in 2018 that examined the relationship between emoji usage and personality on Twitter.

It found that individuals who scored higher in conscientiousness (a personality trait of being careful or diligent) used fewer negative emojis such as "loudly crying face" 😭 or "weary face" 😩.

Rather, they tended to express themselves with more upbeat emojis like "thumbs up" 👍 and "smiley face" 😊.

Individuals who scored higher on agreeableness often used heart-shaped emojis and kissing emojis - images that convey feelings of empathy. In its analysis, the study offered the explanation that emojis were better than words when conveying empathy.

Separately, Selakovic pointed to a 2017 study on use of emojis in the workplace. It found that extroverts tended to use more emojis to express themselves. But she said more research was needed to understand if those with certain personality traits used specific icons more often.

The psychologist added that researchers were split on whether emojis were harming or benefiting how teens communicated. An emoji's ability to simplify words and feelings could appeal to young people who were still finding their voice since it might give them another means to express themselves.

But this could come at a cost.
Hong Kong teens say Instagram has a negative impact on their mental health
"Human emotions are complex," she cautioned. "There is a concern that an over-reliance on simplified forms of expression could impair an individual's capacity for emotional expression later in life."

Nonetheless, Selakovic said emojis could give us insight into today's internet culture and the emotions we valued on social media.

Whether we use a heart or the "face with tears of joy" 😂 emoji, the feelings we yearn for in real life are translated into how we interact with others online.
here to download a printable worksheet with questions and exercises about this story. Answers are on the second page of the document.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Psychologist explains why emojis say what words can't

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our brains process the tiny icons on our screens as emotions, transforming how we communicate.

# data[].attributes.body
Media Companies Are Having Their Worst Year In Three Decades!
With the rise in online streaming platforms, it is only natural that people would step away from this incredibly antiquated and expensive way of viewing content. Why would I pay for cable TV when I can get Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Paramount+ and Disney for less than cable TV? It is only natural that these massive companies be afraid of these new platforms. They provide a better service at a lower price point, in economic terms they deserve to fail. Like radio was afraid of TV, these cable companies are now seeing their billion dollar empire starting to crumble, and if they do not adapt soon they will fail.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The media industry is getting hit by sizable rounds of layoffs and cost-cutting measures as the ad market continues to show signs of a serious slowdown.

Why it matters: For many companies, the challenges are similar to the early onset of the pandemic. But now, fewer government relief programs and resources from Big Tech firms are available to help.

An unprecedented number of media layoffs occurred in 2020. But last year, job losses were at their lowest since 2008.

More than 3,000 jobs have been cut through October this year, per data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas - and more are coming.

Driving the news: Nearly all of the major entertainment giants are bracing for sweeping layoffs in the next few weeks. Many of those firms have invested enormously in new streaming products that aren't profitable yet.

Warner Bros. Discovery has continued to lay off staffers, in part to alleviate the debt created by the merger that created the new firm earlier this year. CNN chief Chris Licht warned employees last week that the network would see more layoffs beginning next month, sources told Axios.

Paramount Global, the parent to CBS, MTV, VH1 and a slew of other networks and streaming services, began to cut jobs last week, mostly in ad sales, per Deadline.

The Walt Disney Company last week announced layoffs, a hiring freeze and other cost-cutting measures, as the company continues to struggle with rising streaming costs.

Comcast's cable unit made cuts last month. Its entertainment arm, NBCUniversal, is also expecting layoffs, per Puck.

Roku said last week it plans to cut around 200 jobs, representing roughly 5% of its workforce.

Between the lines: Digital upstarts are particularly vulnerable to ad slowdowns, because contracts for digital ads are typically much easier to pull at the last minute than contracts for television ads.

Protocol, the tech news website launched from Politico in 2020, will shut down by the end of the year, according to a company-wide memo obtained by Axios. Around 60 employees will be laid off.

Morning Brew, a business media company that caters to Millennials, plans to lay off 14% of its staff due to advertiser uncertainty, per a memo sent from its CEO to staff last week.

Outside Media, the media company home to dozens of outdoor enthusiast brands, lid off 12% of its staff last week, following a 15% cut in May, per Adweek.

Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubac told staff it plans to cut costs by "up to 15%" following smaller cuts earlier this month.

Recurrent Ventures, a venture equity-backed digital media rollup company, laid off 52 staffers in October.

Gannett, the parent company to USA Today, last week said it was planning another round of layoffs, in addition to furloughs, after laying off 400 people in August.
Go deeper: Editor's note: This story has been corrected to remove a mistaken reference to a Wall Street Journal story about NBCUniversal layoffs in 2020. Bad winter coming for U.S. media companies
What we're watching: Experts are particularly concerned about what a possible recession could mean for the newspaper industry, which is facing higher distribution and labor costs in the wake of the pandemic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Media layoffs spike amid recession fears

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Digital media companies are especially vulnerable.

# data[].attributes.body
Van life is just one aspect of what one might consider a digitally nomadic lifestyle. With Youtube's popularity there has been a huge rise in content with people living, or trying to live out of vans. In reality it may stray far from what these videos show. Instead of having fun traveling it can easily turn into being miserable and unhoused. This video i found to be an interesting insight into one van lifers account of reality.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Is Everyone Quitting Van Life? (it’s not what you think)

# data[].attributes.body
Digital nomads are those who are able to travel and work remotely using the internet. I found this to be an interesting take on the issues that may arise from remote work. With the increase in those able to earn a living while exploring exotic places, we must focus on not taking advantage of the groups and locations that the lifestyle allows. Being contentious about the impact on those around is a necessary step we must take into consideration when deciding if this digital lifestyle is a fit. Especially in areas that have not received much outside influence we must take care as to not to to affect change on their culture and values. Another huge issue with digital nomads is the waste that we as westerners may consider normal, however it can be detrimental to fragile ecosystems that are very delicate. All in all the rise of remote work has been an incredible opportunity for many, but we must make sure we do it ethically.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Yearning to break free from their cubicles, Americans who can work remotely are looking to relocate to locations such as the hilly streets of Lisbon, the beaches of Spain and the resorts of Bali. During the isolation of the pandemic, the rise in telework coincided with an increased desire to travel, pushing more people to join the global community of digital nomads.

According to the most recent American Time Use Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, 38 percent of employed people did some or all of their work from home, compared with 24 percent before the pandemic in 2019. The 2021 survey also showed that 67 percent of people with an advanced degree performed some work at home.

Meanwhile, countries whose economies were hurt by a lack of tourism during the pandemic have turned their focus to this new segment of visitors. Several travel blogs geared toward remote workers list dozens of countries that have either implemented a digital-nomad-friendly visa or announced that they're developing one.

I'm one of the millions privileged enough to fully embrace the work-from-anywhere lifestyle during the pandemic. After working remotely from Rio de Janeiro for two years, I feel certain that I'll never return to an office.

This lifestyle has helped me achieve a quality of life I couldn't find back home, but it doesn't come without a cost. In remote-working hot spots, such as Mexico City, Lisbon and Bali, an influx of affluent workers is putting pressure on the affordable housing market. In Lisbon, some locals believe that the presence of digital nomads has led to an increase in Airbnb apartments throughout the city. The platform - which markets the city as one of the top places for remote workers - largely caters to tourists and digital nomads. Its apartments are priced accordingly.

A 9-step plan for taking a trip around the world

I see it happen in Rio, where Airbnb owners charge foreigners exorbitant rates in neighborhoods that are already unaffordable for the vast majority of Brazilians. Meanwhile, in Mexico City, taquerias and corner stores have been replaced by Pilates studios and co-working spaces, causing tension between locals and transplants. Last summer, posters that were hung around the city called remote workers a "plague," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Despite housing concerns, Mexico and a slew of other countries continue to welcome remote workers with open arms.

Prithwiraj Choudhury, an associate professor at Harvard who studies the geographic mobility of workers, says these countries view digital nomads as talented human capital that can stir the economy.

"The traditional concern that people have had against migrants is that they're taking over the jobs of the locals. Digital nomads are not doing that," he says.

Choudhury believes that digital nomads have the financial means and knowledge base to make a lasting impact on a community: "My sense is that people do want to have a positive impact. They just need a little help."

Here are a few things we can do to leave our temporary homes better than when we found them.

Give back to your host community

Studies paint digital nomads as tech-savvy, well-educated professionals who either work for themselves or hold a white-collar office job. When we step into a community from a position of privilege, it's our responsibility to find ways to give back.

This might help you understand where you stand financially in relation to the rest of the population. Before you boast about how "cheap" it is to live and work in another country, look up the minimum wage. In Bali, one of the most popular hubs for digital nomads, it's under $200 per month. You might find that most locals can't afford the same luxuries you're able to give yourself with your remote-work salary.

We can use our privilege to give back to our host communities in a variety of ways, such as by:

Joining a local language school, which is a great first step. Your professor can help you meet other locals and connect you to volunteer groups.

Picking a local cause, and dedicating your time and money to it while you're there.

Becoming a loyal customer to local businesses. (Not the kinds that cater to nomads, but the ones that make up the fabric of the community.)

Tipping your waiter, tour guide or hair dresser generously (when appropriate).

Sharing your talent with the community. Can you lead a workshop on a topic you're an expert in? Are you willing to practice speaking English with local students?

Airport lounges are less exclusive. Not everyone is happy about it.

Get a digital nomad visa to stay put longer

Digital nomads are often unknowingly breaking the law. When you enter a country as a tourist, you're typically barred from working during your stay, even if you're self-employed or working for a company outside the country.

"Most governments are pretty happy with turning a blind eye," says Meghan Benton, director of the International Program at the Migration Policy Institute, explaining that most countries view the presence of remote workers as a positive.

Since Estonia introduced the first "digital nomad" visa in 2020, more countries have been clarifying the rules around remote work for extended periods, making it easier for travelers to connect with a place.

Most of these visas don't require nomads to pay taxes in the host country, meaning it's up to you to give back to the community in other ways. Yet when you start to put down roots, the potential for having positive effects grows. You learn the language, develop long-lasting relationships and have more time to give back to the community.

"Some of the most sophisticated visa programs now are thinking about the transition to more permanent stays," Benton says. "They're thinking, 'How do we use it to trial future residents and long-term citizens?'"

Support businesses outside of the 'nomad bubble'

Because many nomads are living and working in a country without paying local taxes, the least we can do is support local businesses.

Yet we tend to gravitate toward established expat communities, where we can find similar faces, foods, cafes and co-working hubs. Although this is great for networking, it's more difficult to connect with locals when you stay within the nomad bubble.

Geena Truman, who has been traveling full time for more than three years, admits that blending into the local culture requires some effort. "I think it's what we all want, but it's very easy to get sucked into convenience," she says.

She has seen the consequences firsthand: She visited Bali in 2017 and again in 2019, and in those two years, she felt as if certain areas of the island had been diluted to look like "any city in the world." Many of the family-run businesses had closed in exchange for very trendy Instagram-worthy establishments catered to digital nomads.

"It's really important to recognize the power of where we spend our money," says Tarek Kholoussy, founder of Nomads Giving Back, an organization that connects nomads and locals through events and volunteer opportunities in Bali, Buenos Aires and Medellín, Colombia.

Kholoussy says there's nothing wrong with wanting to visit the most Instagrammable cafe in the city. But if you increased the amount of time and money spent at less-touristy establishments, you could make a greater impact.

"Travel is all about new experiences and stepping out of your comfort zone," Truman says. "We wouldn't travel to the other side of the world if it would be the exact same as back home."

Be mindful of where you stay (and how much you pay)

One way to mitigate your effects on housing costs is to rent directly from a local, rather than going through Airbnb. In places such as Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Lisbon, the " Airbnb effect " can decrease long-term housing supply while increasing the value of an area, often pushing locals out.

"A big part of the rising housing costs is people wanting to live in the exact location where all the foreigners are," Kholoussy says.

Before closing a long-term deal on rent, make sure it aligns with the average for that neighborhood. A quick online search can give you an idea of rental costs in your area. Staying within that range can help curb the rise in rent for your neighbors.

For short-term stays, Airbnb is usually the most convenient option. But you could try to search for alternatives on local real estate websites or Facebook groups dedicated to digital nomads. You may also want to check whether the destination offers discounted rates for longer stays in hostels or hotels, as is the case in Rio.

And there's always the old-school way of finding housing: Ask around. Both locals and expats are great resources for finding housing that's not being marketed to foreigners.

7 ways to survive peak airport chaos this summer

Integrate with locals - and share your skills

Volunteering with a local organization is a noble way to give back to the community, but it isn't the only option.

Remote workers have valuable digital skills. We're a mixture of "solopreneurs," writers, website developers, online marketers and more.

Gonçalo Hall, CEO of NomadX, gives nomads an avenue to share these skills with locals at his digital nomad village in Madeira, Portugal. One of the ways he bridges the gap between incoming nomads and the community is through skill-sharing workshops. During the pandemic, Hall asked a few cryptocurrency experts to do a workshop on NFTs, and 80 percent of the class was local artists.

When you arrive in a new place, search for organizations like Hall's or Nomads Giving Back to find ways in which your skills might help the local community.

If the language barrier is an issue, enrolling in a course is a great way to meet other visitors and better communicate with locals. Prioritizing traditional restaurants, cafes and bars can go a long way. You could also join a local sports team. Here in Rio, many nomads meet locals through surf lessons or footvolley classes on the beach.

Go in the low season

Help fight overtourism by traveling to destinations during shoulder season, especially if you're entering on a tourist visa. This minimizes the pressure on local resources and the environment during peak seasons.

Offseason travel is also more affordable. You'll find cheaper plane tickets and lower prices for accommodations and activities, making it easier to explore the destination. The area will also be less crowded with other tourists, giving you space to connect with locals.

As digital nomads, our current homes might be temporary. But it's important to remember that it's a permanent home for most of those around us. The more of us hit the road, the more our impact becomes inevitable. The good news is we have the power to make it a positive one.
Carla Vianna is a travel writer and content creator based in Rio de Janeiro. Follow her on Instagram: @bycarlavianna.
International travel

The basics: Get your passport | Budget for your trip | Set price alerts | Do you have the right travel insurance? | Traveling with kids | Decide where to stay | A pre-trip checklist of house chores| Avoid getting sick | Go solo | Do you need an international driver's license?

Japan: What to know in 2023| A local's guide to Tokyo| Stay in a temple | Ghibli Park

Italy: A local's guide to Rome | Italian destinations that check every travel style | Rick Steves's guide to eating and drinking in Italy | Get a free night in Sicily | Hike the Dolomites | The Aperol spritz capital | Florence 101

Mexico: Is it safe to go to Mexico? | A local's guide to Mexico City | Mexico's best all-inclusive | 6 Mexico vacations that check every travel style
Gift this articleGift Article

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Advice | Everyone wants to be a digital nomad. Here's how to do it ethically.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you plan to work remotely for months, giving back to your temporary home should be a priority.

# data[].attributes.headline
Everything From the Margin Moves To the Center

# data[].attributes.subject
Everything From the Margin Moves To the Center

# data[].attributes.body
It is interesting how everything we view as countercultural somehow makes its way into the mainstream. My perception of this seems to be that these groups are seen as truly themselves. They are untainted by "the media" and therefore, despite their deviations for norms, are seen as somehow more genuine. After a while, those with the ability to take advantage of trends see this shift is social perception and may want to capitalize on this. Take body modification for example. Back in the day it used to by incredibly stigmatized. Only criminals and lowlifes had tattoo, a thought pattern based off of using these marking to stigmatize this deviant individuals. These groups then used these markings to distinguish themselves form the norm. After societal norms shifted enough, The mainstream fully took and ran with this new paradigm of acceptability.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Media Are Essential Components Of Our Lives

# data[].attributes.subject
The Media Are Essential Components Of Our Lives

# data[].attributes.body
In researching the Secrets I came across an interesting video on Youtube. From the second we wake up most of us are constantly connected. We may not think of it this way. If we aren't on our phones are we connected? What about the radio? Newspapers? The morning news? We don't always think of these pieces of legacy media as being connected but they are. They are connecting us with neighbors and those around the world. With our constant consumption of media it is fascination to think about who really controls the content we ingest. Can this content possibly be unbiased and propaganda free when it is formulated to a means to an end? This piece of film investigates the power brokers and 1% who really run and have control of the information we all consume.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Who Rules America: The Power of The Media | Propaganda | ENDEVR Documentary

# data[].attributes.body
When we hear the term Doomscrolling, it creates a very vivid image in our minds eye. It is an incredibly negative word, with only terrible connotations. Somehow as humans we have been able to create devices so addicting that we cant seem to stop ingesting negative posts one after another. This cycle can repeat, creating a negative cycle, that can only enhance our negative cognition. If we think bad thoughts it can only lead to depression and sadness. Unfortunately this can also give us an incredibly skewed view on how reality is. If all we hear and see is bad, how can we imagine a world any different from our perception of it? Hopefully in future there will be tools in place to help inhibit this behavior on these incredibly addicting devices.

# data[].attributes.body
Propaganda is described as "information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view (Oxford Languages)." This video was interesting and a great representation of music propaganda from around the world. Each of these pieces was created with the purpose of creating civic loyalty and pride in one's country.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Stereotypical Music across Political Ideologies // Political Compass

# data[].attributes.body
This video on propaganda I found to be particularly interesting. Not only is it a very polarizing look on another period in time, but the video in and of itself is a piece of propaganda. It is used to create and change public perception on a specific topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Recognize Propaganda | Cold War Era Educational Film | ca. 1957