Data Mining for Terrorist and Innocents

What a world we live in! With the fear of terrorism at such a high level, computer software is being created to help capture individuals with the intent to do harm to others. However, the technology used to help counteract terrorism efforts may actually be labeling innocent people as "bad guys" and potentially causing their lives to be ruined. Having your name pop up as a potential threat can lead to 24hr surveillance of your internet activity, phone calls, and just regular daily routines! This is completely intrusive, and there must be a way to avoid innocent people from being labeled a "threat."

I understand the importance of stopping crimes before they occur. However, computer programs aren't supposed to be the only judges of who is labeled a threat or not. Due diligence is needed to separate bad guys from people simply speaking their minds.

coutesy of isogov.com

Net Neutrality

Are you in favor of a system that creates different rates for the amount of data one individual consumes on the internet, or are you in favor of the concept of "Net Neutrality?" I take the latter approach. I personally believe the internet is sort of an "open-market" that shouldn't be controlled regardless of how much is being used. ISP's would like to charge more if we use "a lot" of data, but how much is too much? Does the typical computer user realize the amount of data they use daily? I highly doubt it. One day a person might choose to download 100 songs, and the next 3 months they may not even send an e-mail. People like that shouldn't have to get stuck paying astronomical fees every month. Usage may vary, so we should all be charged a flat fee.

However, cases of Business data usage should vary. For companies like Google, Yahoo, or Amazon, they should have to pay more than a household pays. The amount they are charged shouldn't be outrageous, though. Companies should all be charged on the same scale.

(Video case number 1 was attempting to show the concept of Net Neutrality, and the potential profits for ISP's.)

Picture courtesy of: blogs.dixcdn.com