Critical Reflection

Even though I am in my second year of undergraduate studies, ES1102 is the first class I have taken which involved regular peer-review and tutor feedback. The class required us to maintain our own e-portfolios on a blog, which were to contain all our work for the semester. Every week we had assignments that we had to upload on our individual blogs. At the beginning of the semester, our professor organized us into blogging groups of three to four. After posting on my blog, I received feedback from peers from both within and outside my blogging group, as well as from my professor, regarding my ideas, organization, content and grammar. Following up on this, I would revise the draft to incorporate changes. Additionally, I would comment and review my peers’ work in a similar manner.

Feedback based classes are important to allow students to improve on their work, by realizing their mistakes, knowing their strengths and understand their work from another person’s point of view. Getting feedback regarding organization, relevance and content was indeed useful in preparing more concrete drafts of the same essays. I really liked how the feedback would include a ton of positive comments. These were useful in brainstorming on how to change or improve my ideas and the flow of the essay in general.

This class simply reinforced my beliefs in peer and tutor evaluation by proving it to be so much more useful than I previously thought. Peer review plays a major role in making students feel accountable for themselves and their peers. It also encourages engaging communication in the classroom setting. This system has given me a glimpse at the possibilities of learning from the person sitting next to you than any lecture has dared to. Tutor feedback was more personalized in ES1102 than most classes I have attended at NUS. This mechanism helped me pin point my problems in writing and improve in certain weak areas.

This system has encouraged me to think about my ideas and writing in general from another person’s point of view. It has incorporated a conscientious side in my writing, which was barely present before. It has also given me more focus to my thoughts, so as to drive my writing in a particular direction. In the future, I will definitely review and have my work reviewed by someone else, be it my family members, classmates or tutors. 

(400 words)

Reflection on Presentation

On Monday, I presented on the topic, 'Use of Social Media leads to social comparison and lowered self esteem of teenagers'. I had prepared visual aid to make the content easier to digest and relatable to my peers. I hope they enjoyed my presentation.

Outline of critical reflection

Even though I am in my second year of undergraduate studies, ES1102 is the first class which involved regular peer-review and tutor feedback. After posting on my blog, I usually receive feedback from two peers and my professor regarding ideas, organization, content and grammar. Following up on this, I would revise the draft to incorporate changes.

Getting feedback regarding organization, relevance and content was indeed useful in preparing more concrete drafts of the same essays. I really liked how the feedback would include a ton of positive comments. These were useful in brainstorming on how to change or improve my ideas and flow of the essay in general.

I hope other classes in NUS incorporate peer feedback as it is a useful learning tool.

Problem Solution Essay Draft 3

Social Media has become an integral part of everyday life. Although social media has made life more convenient, by ensuring immediate communication and quick spread of information, it does have severe drawbacks. The most affected by these drawbacks are members of the younger generation, who have been born in an era of technology. Teenagers are in constant contact with one another through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. This has caused a ‘global epidemic’ of social comparison on social media, resulting in detrimental effects on the self-esteem of the user. According to the Social Comparison Theory, people determine their social and personal worth by comparing themselves to others (What is Social Comparison Theory, n.d). In the long run, an approach advocated by schools and local communities to change the way teens use and perceive social media is necessary for solving this problem. At present, a curative approach involving parents as change makers is a more realistic starting point to curb lowered self-esteem of teen users.

The Social Comparison Theory is essential in understanding how social media influences our self-esteem. By looking at a friend’s latest holiday pictures or party videos, teens are bound to compare themselves with the poster, and thus, to his or her experiences. A study by German universities in 2013 found that viewing peoples’ profiles on Facebook triggers feelings of envy and resentment (Woda, 2014). In turn, these feelings cause self-reflection and self-valuation of the follower. As teens are constantly viewing their friends’ profiles on social media platforms, this is a daily struggle for them.  

An ideal solution would be for schools and local communities to take on a preventive approach by alternating the perspectives of teenagers through Social Media Education. Raising awareness is essential in the curbing the negative use of social media. Youngsters start using social media on entering middle school with no supervision or knowledge of what they’re getting themselves into. Schools could hold compulsory seminars wherein youngsters are taught positive ways to use social media to become more aware of their surroundings, foster their hobbies and connect with friends. Also, these seminars could be platforms for teens to raise their views on dealing with social comparison and seek guidance regarding the same. Local communities could offer support in aligning teenagers with social media and provide personal contact points to discuss individualized problems with experienced peers and supportive elders. However, this is easier said than done. Our society is one that allows, and at times even encourages social comparison. Judgment is a part of everyday life, something that “everyone” indulges in. So a teen could ask, “Why should I stop comparing myself with someone else, when they’re still comparing themselves to me?”

Another approach to tackle the problem of social comparison on social media is a parental approach. Parents are usually the most concerned party of their own children and act as important figures of guidance and counseling, especially during their kid’s adolescent years. According to Woda (2014), parents should not only monitor the amount of time their teen spends online, but what they do during that time. The quality of social media has a direct relationship with self-esteem. Thus, it can work as a booster of esteem instead (Woda, 2014). Parents should also be friendly figures in encouraging their children to develop their own personalities and make it clear to them to take social media activities lightly (Woda, 2014). Additionally, alternative methods of self-expression amongst young kids and adolescents should be encouraged by parents and local communities. Blogs and support groups should be promoted, instead of stigmatized, to allow catharsis. Painting, music and dance forms could also have a doubled effect of cathartic experiences and in boosting of the teen’s self-esteem.  

                                                   

Although tangible efforts by schools and communities to reduce social comparison on social media is a step in the direction of a change in how teens are determined to use social media, parental guidance is a more immediate and realistic method to reduce harsh effects on self-esteem and self-perception of the user.

References

Lavine, L. (2014, March 10). Want to be happier? Stop comparing yourself to what you see on Social Media . Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/3027380/want-to-be-happier-stop-comparing-yourself-to-what-you-see-on-social-media

What is Social Comparison Theory. (n.d). Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/social-comparison-theory

Woda, S. (2014, May 21). Does Social Media Use Impact My Kid's Self-Esteem. Retrieved from uknowkids: http://resources.uknowkids.com/blog/does-social-media-use-impact-my-kids-self-esteem

Final Reader Response

Naina

Reader Response Final

In “Who is the true enemy of internet freedom: China, Russia or the US?”, Morozov (2015) urges the readers to take notice of the US government’s  slyly aggressive stance regarding technological sovereignty vis-à-vis China and Russia’s overtly aggressive outlook on the same. This article covers several pertinent issues that would not have reached the public sphere without a certain level of investigation. Unlike the image Morozov painted in his article, The United States of America is the country most often associated with freedom and human rights, often perceived as a place where every man is heard and every woe is solved. While China and Russia are vocal about controlling cyber data of their citizens, the US is indeed a silent player in the same game.

As a non US citizen, living in a US dominated world, I would have to agree with Morozov’s argument pertaining to the hypocrisy of the US government regarding cyber privacy. Time and time again, the US contradicts itself in its demands and actions. American run companies accuse and take actions against countries like Brazil and Russia for violating basic user data privacy (Morozov, 2015). At the same time, the US demands full control over private data of users of all US run companies, regardless of where data is stored (Morozov, 2015). One of the reasons behind these actions could be linked to how the US perceives itself relative to the rest of the world. Recently, when the US Department of Commerce announced that it would be relinquishing its control over the domain name system to other countries, Republicans reacted with hostility (Maher, 2014). The mere fact that the American Government thinks it controls the global web space to begin with serves as an apt description of their superiority complex in the domain of technological sovereignty.

To be fair to America, it has been an economic superpower for over a century. During the third year of World War I, the Allied powers became hugely dependent on America for grain, oil and fleet purchases (Frum, 2014). By floating larger bond issues in dollars, Americans became more prosperous. As a result, America became a global economic giant, suppressing, instead of joining, its imperial rivalries. However, this does not serve as an excuse to undermine other countries, whose economies have grown to be comparable to or even better than that of the US.

Setting aside the hard facts and figures, perceptions of a country and its government play an important role in determining power. Russia and China are perceived as having controlling governments, which is a prime reason for mistaking their actions for censorship. The author defends this common misconception as a response to how the US treats freedom. If the US were to be granted access to cyber data of all US-owned companies, irrespective of country of storage, it would be a huge breach of privacy and basic trust. Why is it then that the actions of the former are seen as censoring, but not the actions of the ‘all mighty’ USA? 

What’s worse, American control of cyber space does not solely mean better welfare of its people. Blinded by its aim to extend its control, the American government often overlooks how its actions affect those under its direct grip- the tech giants of the Silicon Valley (Morozov, 2015). Even if these companies do not comply with their government’s demands, other countries view them as governmental pawns, thus compromising their businesses. This could have detrimental impacts on the US economy and every inter dependency it has with other countries. Politics muddled with business is never a good combination, and this case is no exception.

At present, the 'developing' economies of China and India pose a threat to America's economic status. However, it will take a lot more to challenge American ego-centrism than economic change. It is a mindset that must be altered, a theme that must be changed. For countries attempting to escape the tight hold of the West in cyberspace, it is just the beginning of a long journey to independence. 

(663 words)

References

Frum, D. (2014, December 24). The real story of how America became an economic superpower. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/12/the-real-story-of-how-america-became-an-economic-superpower/384034/

Maher, K. (2014, March 19). No, the US isn’t ‘Giving up Control’ of the Internet. Politico.com.  Retrieved from http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/control-of-the-internet-104830.html

Morozov, E. (2015, Jan 4). Who's the true enemy of internet freedom - China, Russia or the US? Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty

Woollacott, E. (2014, March 15). US government cedes control of the Internet. Forbes.com. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2014/03/15/us-government-cedes-control-of-the-internet/

Problem Solution Essay Draft 2

For this essay, discuss a problem arising from the use of social media and its impact on individuals and/or society in a particular country. Identify existing solutions and propose possible new measures that could be implemented to address that problem. Be sure to integrate information from appropriate sources into your essay.

Nowadays, teenagers are in constant contact with one another through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. The global epidemic of social comparison on social media among teenage users has detrimental effects on the self-esteem of the user. Although temporary solutions to the problem do exist, a change in the way we use and perceive social media is the only way to solve this issue.  

Before delving into an explanation of the problem, I would like to explain the concept of Social Comparison, a theory essential in understanding how social media influences our self-esteem. According to the Social Comparison Theory, people determine their social and personal worth by comparing themselves to others (What is Social Comparison Theory, n.d). By looking at a friend’s latest holiday pictures or party videos, teens are bound to compare themselves with the poster, and thus, to his or her experiences. A study by German universities in 2013 found that viewing peoples’ profiles on Facebook triggers feelings of envy and resentment (Woda, 2014). In turn, these feelings cause self-reflection and self-valuation of the follower. As teens are constantly viewing their friends’ profiles on social media platforms, this is a daily struggle for them.

An ideal solution for the long run would be alternating perspectives of the teens themselves. If teens were to determine their usage of social media for positive purposes to learn more about people, foster their hobbies and connect with friends, the problem would be solved. However, this is easier said than done. Our society is one that allows and, at times, even encourages social comparison. Judgment is a part of everyday life, something that “everyone” indulges in. So a teen could ask, “Why should I stop comparing myself with someone else, when they’re still comparing themselves to me?”. Raising awareness is essential in the curbing the negative use of social media. Youngsters start using social media on entering middle school with no supervision or knowledge of what they’re getting themselves into. Social Media Education could inform potential users of harm these platforms can cause if not used properly.

While the aforementioned seems foolproof, it could only work in a permanent setting. Thus, the initial steps to solve the problem are not to attack its root, but to chop off the weeds infecting it first. New social media platforms could be created which encourage more self-expression and less self-valuation and judgment. Platforms independent of the social pressure of likes and followers would allow individuals to express themselves freely and view social media in a positive way. However, such platforms may not be popular amongst those who are determined to use social media for social comparison purposes. This is where new age marketing plays an important role. At present, a good marketing team is all it takes to elevate a brand.

Additionally, alternative methods of self-expression should be encouraged amongst young kids and adolescents. Blogs and support groups should be promoted to allow catharsis. A downside of this could be that the settings may be too convoluted. Painting, music and dance forms could have a doubled effect of cathartic experiences and in boosting of the teen’s self-esteem.  

Parents are important figures of guidance and counseling, especially during adolescent years. According to Woda (2014), parents should not only monitor the amount of their teen spends online, but what they do during that time. The quality of social media has a direct relationship with self-esteem, thus, it can work as a booster of it instead (Woda, 2014). Parents should also be friendly figures in encouraging their children to develop their own personalities and make it clear to them to take social media activities lightly (Woda, 2014).

Although tangible efforts to reduce social comparison on social media may temporarily reduce harsh effects on self-esteem and self-perception of the user, only a change of how one is determined to use social media can permanently eradicate the problem. 

References

Dr. Patti M. Valkenburg, Jochen Peter, and Alexander P. Schouten. CyberPsychology & Behavior. October 2006, 9(5): 584-590. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.584.

Lavine, L. (2014, March 10). Want to be happier? Stop comparing yourself to what you see on Social Media . Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/3027380/want-to-be-happier-stop-comparing-yourself-to-what-you-see-on-social-media

What is Social Comparison Theory. (n.d). Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/social-comparison-theory

Woda, S. (2014, May 21). Does Social Media Use Impact My Kid's Self-Esteem. Retrieved from uknowkids: http://resources.uknowkids.com/blog/does-social-media-use-impact-my-kids-self-esteem

Problem Solution Essay Draft 1

Nowadays, teenagers are in constant contact with one another through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. The global epidemic of social comparison on social media among teenage users has detrimental effects on the self-esteem of the user.

Before delving into an explanation of what the above sentence means, I would like to explain the concept of Social Comparison. It is the theory that we determine our social and personal worth by comparing ourselves to others (). By looking at a friend’s latest holiday pictures or party videos, teens are bound to compare themselves with the poster. A study by German universities in 2013 found that viewing peoples’ profiles on Facebook triggered feelings of envy and resentment (). In turn, these feelings cause self-reflection and self-valuation of the follower. As teens are constantly viewing their friends’ profiles on social media platforms, this is a daily struggle.

An ideal solution for the long run would be alternating perspectives of the teens themselves. If teens were to determine their usage of social media for positive purposes to learn more about people, foster their hobbies and connect with friends, the problem would be solved. However, this is easier said than done. Our society is one that allows and at times even encourages social comparison. Judgment is a part of everyday life, something that “everyone” indulges in. So a teen could ask, “Why should I stop comparing myself with someone else, when they’re still comparing themselves to me?”. Raising awareness is essential in the curbing the negative use of social media. Youngsters start using social media on entering middle school with no supervision or knowledge of what they’re getting themselves into. Social Media Education could inform potential users of harm these platforms can cause if not used properly.

While the aforementioned seems foolproof, it could only work in a permanent setting. Thus, the initial steps to solve the problem are not to attack its root, but to chop off the weeds infecting it first. New social media platforms could be created which encourage more of self-expression and less self-valuation and judgment. Platforms independent of the social pressure of likes and followers would allow individuals to express themselves freely and view social media in a positive way. However, such platforms may not be popular among those who are determined to use social media for social comparison purposes.

Additionally, alternative methods of self-expression should be encouraged amongst young kids and adolescents. Blogs and support groups should be encouraged as means for such purposes to allow catharsis. A downside of this could be that the settings may be too convoluted. Painting, music and dance forms are creative methods of self-expression that could be cathartic as well as boost self-esteem of teens.

Studies do show that there are positive effects of social media…focus on those.

Conclusion:

Thesis: Although tangible efforts to reduce social comparison on social media may temporarily reduce harsh effects on self-esteem and self-perception of the user, only a change of how one is determined to use social media can permanently eradicate the problem.  

*Still need to structure, complete and add references!

An Influential Event

My parents’ decision to move back to India in 2003 was indeed a life changer for me. At the tender age of 8, this seemed like the work of the devil. To be separated from all my friends and replace my comfortable surroundings with the chaotic Indian lifestyle was definitely not what I wanted.

Living in India did have its perks, which were not so apparent to me at that age. Firstly, it gave me the opportunity to grow up with my grandparents and relatives as important figures in my life. The past ten years would not have been the same without their guidance and regular family gatherings. Secondly, I feel like moving to India is the reason I know my country the way I do today. The connection with one's roots, in terms of culture, language, heritage, as well as a strong emotional bond, is key in shaping one's own experiences. I am proud to say that, even though my Hindi is not perfect and I do not know all that there is to know about India’s culture, India is my home.

In terms of life goals, living in India is sparked my interest in developmental economics. Seeing such diverse socio-economic situations and the stark reality of unequal distribution of income fired a passion in me to study economics. 

Ultimately, I am grateful of my parents' decision to raise me in India. It has changed the person I am and the person I will be. 

Reader Response, Draft 3

In ‘Who is the true enemy of internet freedom: China, Russia or the US?, Morozov (2015) urges the readers to take notice of the US’ slyly aggressive stance regarding technological sovereignty vis-à-vis China and Russia’s overtly aggressive outlook on the same. This article covers several pertinent issues that would not have reached the public sphere without a certain level of investigation. The United States of America is the country most often associated with freedom and human rights, often perceived as a place where every man is heard and every woe is solved. While China and Russia are vocal about controlling cyber data of their citizens, the US is indeed a silent player in the same game.

As a non US citizen, living in a US dominated world, I would have to agree with Morozov’s argument pertaining to the hypocrisy of the US government regarding cyber privacy. Time and time again, the US contradicts itself in its demands and actions. American run companies accuse and take actions against countries like Brazil and Russia for violating basic user data privacy (Morozov, 2015). At the same time, the US demands full control over private data of users of all US run companies, regardless of where data is stored (Morozov, 2015). I believe that one of the reasons behind these actions could be linked to how the US perceives itself relative to the rest of the world. Recently, when the US Department of Commerce announced that it would be relinquishing its control over the domain name system to other countries, Republicans reacted with hostility (Maher, 2014). The mere fact that the US thinks it controls the global web space to begin with serves as an apt description of their superiority complex in the domain of technological sovereignty. 

To be fair to America, it has been an economic superpower for over a century. During the third year of World War I, the Allied powers became hugely dependent on America for grain, oil and fleet purchases (Frum, 2014). By floating larger bond issues in dollars, Americans became more prosperous. As a result, America became a global economic giant, suppressing, instead of joining, its imperial rivalries. However, this does not serve as an excuse to undermine other countries, whose economies have grown to be comparable to or even better than the US’.

If you set aside the hard facts, perceptions of a country and its government play an important role in determining power. Russia and China are perceived as having controlling governments; a prime reason for mistaking their actions for censorship. The author defends this common misconception as a response to how the US treats freedom. If the US were to be granted access to cyber data of all US-owned companies, irrespective of country of storage, it would be a huge breach of privacy and basic trust. Why is it then that the actions of the former are seen as censoring, but not the actions of the ‘all mighty’ USA? 

What’s worse, American control of cyber space does not solely mean better welfare of its people. Blinded by its aim to extend its control, the American government often overlooks how its actions affect those under its direct grip- the tech giants of the Silicon Valley (Morozov, 2015). Even if these companies do not comply with their government’s demands, other countries view them as governmental pawns, thus compromising their businesses. This could have detrimental impacts on the US economy and every inter dependency it has with other countries. Politics muddled with business is never a good combination, and this case is no exception.

At present, the 'developing' economies, like China and India, pose a threat to America's economic status. However, it will take a lot more to challenge American ego-centrism than economic change. It is a mindset that must be altered, a theme that must be changed. For countries attempting to escape the tight hold of the West in cyberspace, it is just the beginning of a long journey to independence. 

(663 words)

References

Frum, D. (2014, December 24). The Real Story of How America Became an Economic Superpower. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/12/the-real-story-of-how-america-became-an-economic-superpower/384034/

Maher, K. (2014, March 19). No, the US isn’t ‘Giving up Control’ of the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/control-of-the-internet-104830.html

Morozov, E. (2015, Jan 4). Who's the true enemy of internet freedom - China, Russia or the US? Retrieved Feb 8, 2015, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty

Woollacott, E. (2014, March 15). US Government Cedes Control Of The Internet. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2014/03/15/us-government-cedes-control-of-the-internet/

Reader Response Draft 2

In ‘Who is the true enemy of internet freedom: China, Russia or the US?, Morozov (2015) urges the readers to take notice of the US’ slyly aggressive stance regarding technological sovereignty vis-à-vis China and Russia’s overtly aggressive outlook on the same. This article covers several pertinent issues that would not have reached the public sphere without a certain level of investigation. The United States of America is the country most often associated with freedom and human rights. We often perceive it to be a place where every man is heard and every woe is solved. While China and Russia are vocal about controlling cyber data of their citizens, the US is indeed a silent player in the same game.

By recording and observing the actions of the US government, its hypocrisy in the matter of privacy becomes clear. US run companies accuse and take actions against countries like Brazil and Russia for violating basic user data privacy. Google shut down operations in Moscow after a law to store all Russian user data only on national servers was passed. At the same time, the US demands full control over private data of users of all US run companies, regardless of where data is stored. Hence, it is clear that the US contradicts itself in its demands and actions. Recently, when the US Department of Commerce announced that it would be relinquishing its control over the domain name system to the rest of the world, Republicans reacted with hostility (Maher, 2014). The mere fact that the US thinks it controls the global web space to begin with aptly describes how it views the issue of technological sovereignty. 

Blinded by its aim to extend its control, the American government often overlooks how its actions affect those under its direct grip- the tech giants of the Silicon Valley (Morozov, 2015). Even if these companies do not comply with their government’s demands, other countries view them as governmental pawns, thus compromising their businesses. This could have detrimental impacts on the US economy and every inter dependency it has with other countries. Politics muddled with business is never a good combination, and this case is no exception.

Russia and China are perceived as having controlling governments; a prime reason for mistaking their actions for censorship. The author defends this common misconception as a response to how the US treats freedom. If the US were to be granted access to cyber data of all US-owned companies, irrespective of country of storage, it would be a huge breach of privacy and basic trust. Why is it then that the actions of the former are seen as censoring, but not the actions of the ‘all mighty’ USA? 

To answer to this question, we must go retrace our steps, all the way back to World War I. During the third year of the war, the Allied powers became hugely dependent on America for grain, oil and fleet purchases (Frum, 2014). Britain paid for these investments by floating increasingly larger bond issues in dollars, instead of in their own currency. As a result, America became an economic superpower, suppressing, instead of joining, its imperial rivalries. 

At present, the 'developing' economies, like China and India, pose a threat to America's economic status. However, it will take a lot more to challenge American ego-centrism than economic change. It is a mindset that must be altered, a theme that must be changed. For countries attempting to escape the tight hold of the West in cyberspace, it is just the beginning of a long journey to independence. 

(592 words)

Works Cited

Forbes . (2014, March 15). US Government Cedes Control Of The Internet. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2014/03/15/us-government-cedes-control-of-the-internet/

Frum, D. (2014, December 24). The Real Story of How America Became an Economic Superpower. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/12/the-real-story-of-how-america-became-an-economic-superpower/384034/

Maher, K. (2014, March 19). Politico Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/03/control-of-the-internet-104830.html

Outline for Reader Response 1

This article covers several pertinent issues that would not have reached the public sphere without a certain level of investigation. The United States of America is the country most often associated with freedom and human rights. We often see or perceive it to be a place where every man is heard and every woe is solved. However, Morozov (2015) seems to think otherwise. He argues that even though China and Russia are more vocal about controlling the cyber data of their citizens, the US is a silent player in the same game.

By recording and observing the actions of the US government, its hypocrisy in the matter of privacy becomes clear. Firstly, US run companies accuse and take actions against countries like Brazil and Russia for violating basic user privacy notions. Google shut down operations in Moscow after a law to store all Russian user data only on Russian servers was passed. Secondly, the US demands full control over private data of users of all US run companies, regardless of where it is stored. Hence, it is clear that the US contradicts itself in its demands and actions.

Blinded by its aim to extend its control, the American government often overlooks how its actions affect those under its direct grip- the tech giants of the Silicon Valley. Even if these companies do not comply with their government’s demands, other countries view them as their pawns, thus compromising their businesses. Firms have to look at multi-dimensional approaches in tackling this problem. Google, one such Silicon company, opted to fund a cyberoptic cable under the sea to enhance the connectivity of Brazilian citizens.

Russia and China are perceived as having controlling governments; a prime reason for mistaking their actions for censorship. The author defends this common misperception as a response to how the US treats freedom. If the US were to be granted access to cyber data of all US-owned companies, irrespective of country of storage, it would be a huge breach of privacy and basic trust. Why is it then that the actions of the former are seen as censoring, but not the actions of the ‘all mighty’ USA?

For America, neutral internet space is equivalent to American controlled internet. Anything that slightly steers from this ideal is labelled as a move in the direction of ‘Balkanisation’. In reality, this is simply a move in the direction of technological sovereignty for Non American countries; an attempt to escape the tight hold of the West. 

Summary

In response to the title of the article, ‘Who is the real enemy of internet freedom?’, Morozov (2015) aims to bring the attention of the readers to the slyly aggressive stance of the US regarding technological sovereignty as compared China and Russia’s overtly aggressive outlook on the same. Although the Russian and Chinese governments merely seek information regarding user data of their own citizens, albeit for political agendas, Americans do the same for citizens and non-citizens alike. On one hand, American companies create expensive and complex interdependencies with countries all over the world. On the other hand, some companies, like Microsoft, have questioned the US government’s incredulous demands for access to user data. If any of these countries’ demands manage to carry through, the result would be detrimental to privacy and freedom. 

My English Language Learning Journey

By default of growing up in a family of journalists, English was always the medium of exchange in my household. Although in my younger years I learned English simultaneously with my mother tongue, my situation was slightly different from other kids my age. My parents hail from north and south India respectively, comfortable in their own mother tongues with almost no conversational knowledge in the other’s language. As a result, English became our common mother tongue of sorts. Additionally, I spent most of my childhood, or as some would call prime learning years, in Singapore and America. I strongly believe that living in these foreign countries laid a solid foundation for my understanding of the language.

Upon my return to India for secondary school education, I was dismayed by the lowered level of English in my classes. Although most of my classmates were well versed in English, they were equally comfortable in Hindi, their mother tongue. I do not consider myself linguistically talented and take quite a while to learn a new language. As a result, I immersed myself in learning English even more than the average bilingual child would. Despite the mediocre level of English taught in my high school, I tried all alternative methods to steepen my learning curve. I took to reading fiction based books. In fact, it was during my one week reading spree of the Harry Potter series that lead to my first pair of glasses.

When I first told my grandfather I wanted to study economic and not journalism in college, he was shocked but finally accepted my decision. His words were firm but strong when he told me to never let go of the language, no matter which field I intended to work in.

(293 words)