The Five Eyes Alliance

  The Five Eyes Alliance is an international connection between the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This relationship originated post-World War II between the United States and the United Kingdom to fight the Axis powers through the exchange of shared information. After the war ended, this force became so influential that it joined forces with Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. 

 

To understand the purpose of the Five Eyes alliance, it's crucial to recognize the specific tasks and responsibilities this operation upholds. The Five Eyes alliance is committed to sharing global confidential intelligence, joining forces to combine each country's strengths and areas of expertise to create a mutual defense. Through national security agencies, the operation aims to combine resources and share private information on human, signal, and cyber security.

The alliance, being a mutual defense, works together to combat terrorism by sharing information, which encourages greater strides toward tracking and neutralizing terrorist attacks. This operation aims to provide sensitive information to prevent espionage, and be able to identify foreign spies and intelligence agencies. As a team, the alliance fights to create protection and strengthen each country's security. 

 

On the surface, the initial response to the Five Eyes alliance is that countries working together and joining forces to protect their citizens and each country's security sounds like a great protection for a common ground in society. Upon deeper analysis, this alliance has definite implications and controversy to acknowledge. Although many are aware that this operation exists, there is little transparency for the public about how their intelligence is shared, the systems, and the operations. 

The Five Eyes alliance, due to its confidential approach, does not disclose much information, leaving the public to wonder about the extent of the information they are subjected to. To provide deeper awareness, there are no specific laws clearly outlining these operations. The public is also unaware of domestic legislation or government supervision over this alliance. This truly shows that there is no system for checking intelligence sharing, and no legislation governing how these systems communicate and share information, leaving legal guidance and transparency limited. 

 

These implications run deeper than just national concerns; they also involve personal privacy concerns. ECHELON, a mass surveillance system used by the alliance, promotes major concerns for society. This mass surveillance program is so powerful and large that it has the capacity to infringe on the personal privacy of the public, such as gaining access to phone calls, internet traffic, and tax transmissions. This raises a red flag because it evokes others to consider the copious amounts of information these departments possess and how this affects their personal lives, privacy rights, and civil liberties.

In September 2013, Edward Snowden leaked classified information, causing chaos throughout society, and advised others to consider the information the government collects about citizens. These documents were used in the press to warn the public that the government is keeping and gathering information that infringes on individuals' privacy and security rights. These implications not only warn society about the legitimacy of this system and this operation, but also how it affects their personal lives. 

An invasion of privacy infringes on society's civil liberties and personal rights, but the way this information is collected and distributed isn't always fair. For those with access to resources and extra protection, privacy comes at a cost, one they can afford. In lower-income areas, most Wi-Fi databases are public, and public cameras are common, limiting protection for those in lower-income areas. This makes those in lower-income areas fear the government's knowledge of them, leading to them being policed and monitored more than other communities. 

Members of higher-income communities have the tools to obtain private browsers, Wi-Fi, and alternative systems to ensure their privacy is even more secure. Lower-income areas, marginalized communities, and urban areas, where there is more policing, are subject to higher social service and warfare monitoring. When privacy rights are violated, those in lower-income areas have fewer resources to protect themselves. 

Lawyers and representation are expensive, and public defenders don't always have the resources to defend clients in certain cases, making it another disadvantage for security rights. Although privacy concerns are universal and affect society's trajectory, when it comes to finding extra protection and representation when needed, the higher-income part of society definitely has an advantage. 

The Five Eyes alliance is just one sheer example of how the government uses its resources to protect the foundation of our global intelligence, but at what expense? Learning about and analyzing the effects of private security and how these outcomes and systems translate into society is frightening and a great concern. 

The implications challenge me to reflect on how my privacy, my friends' and family's privacy, and the privacy of society's members are affected. I am inclined to think further about how I am protected and granted my basic human rights as an American Citizen. It allows me to ponder whether these resources are secure enough and have the protection to keep all people's information confidential and safe. 

If the alliance with great strengths can access this private information, who else can? It brings great peace to know the government is making strides to protect our country's security and safety. Still, when global operations lack transparency to the point of infringing on personal rights, it raises major concerns for society as a whole.

 

Artificial Intelligence : The Future of Education and the Legal Field

Generative AI has become one of the most controversial and widespread topics of modern technology. While educating myself on the meaning and purpose of artificial intelligence, I can acknowledge the improvements and setbacks this platform offers, specifically for college students. 

As a junior in college on the pre-law track, working towards a degree in English, it is important to recognize the impact of AI on English majors. AI, being a large language model, is shaped by previously prompted thoughts, ideas, and texts. 

According to the article, “Is AI the 'End of the English Major'?” by Stony Brook University, on Long Island, AI can summarize texts, create essays, and generate quick responses based on published information. This article argues that although AI can handle specific aspects of English assignments and studies as a whole, deeper critical analysis, understanding a text's narrative, interpreting current and past news sources, and writing to their fullest potential are skills that are acquired through practice and education. 

Andrew Newman, a professor and chair of the English department at Stony Brook University, argues that the human brain, through study and education processes, interprets information far differently than AI. Newman claims there is much more depth and original insight from a human brain than from an online-generated source. 

As a determined and passionate undergraduate student, it is not only crucial to recognize the impact of AI on my major, but also to identify its place in my future career as a lawyer. 

An Article published by Harvard Law School, “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Law Firms’ Business Models,” contends that generative AI can improve productivity and efficiency in the legal field. This article claims that productivity will be increased in each individual lawyer due to less research time and more time allotted for critical thinking and application. It also suggests that if lawyers have more time to work through strategies and analysis, they are likely to improve their skills and knowledge by focusing more time on a case and the individual client.

A concern of many aspiring lawyers is that AI will replace their position or limit hiring opportunities. This article claims that many firms do not anticipate a reduction in hiring rates, and human lawyers are essential. It also suggests that lawyers who are versatile and adapt to generative AI will be viewed as valuable assets to the firm. This article proves that with adaptability and understanding, AI Legal positions will not be replaced, but enhanced. 

In the broader context and with full transparency, when I first gained admission to High Point University, the topic of generative AI was just beginning to gain popularity. My goals of attending an undergraduate school were to gain an accelerated education, find my independence, and grow academically and personally. 

Through AI’s rapid growth, my goals have remained the same, and my aspirations continue to flourish. As an educated young adult, I understand the role of technology in the modern world. I strive to accept these initiatives and learn to adapt, rather than neglecting the topic all together. 

I firmly believe that, through research, analysis, and understanding of the risks and benefits of AI as a society, we can adapt to these changes and coexist with this technology.  

Online Privacy Unit

Privacy is sacred and intimate, giving each human the right to keep personal information to ourselves and choose who we share it with. Throughout listening to the Ted Talks, I learned about multiple issues that limit our rights as Americans and dehumanize our abilities to make decisions based on what we choose to share with others. Various concerns arise when acknowledging violations of privacy, such as giving the government access to not only our location, cell phone line, contacts, and communications, but also our travel, personal pictures, and more. 

Issues of personal privacy have emerged rapidly due to advances in technology over the past decade. A surprising insight I have gained about privacy is that American citizens have multiple pieces of information under surveillance that we don’t acknowledge or are unaware of. A fascinating website, Face.com is an online resource that converts a person's picture into a summary of information, revealing details about their personal life. A TED Talk reports that millions of faces are available on this website, without the person behind the face even recognizing them. 

The issue that consumed my thoughts the most is the exposure of personal privacy and the threat of blackmail. Having an intimate connection and sending personal pictures to another truly made me understand the violation of rights that many victims have struggled with . It is extremely alarming to American society that there are no bills or acts to protect the privacy of victims of cyber abuse and the exposure of their private images on public websites. It was also extremely concerning to learn that every 1 in 25 women is subject to  revenge porn. 

This allows me to think about myself, my family, and my friends, and to wonder who has access to our private information and data. It concerns me that the people close to me, including me, are subject to privacy breaches and are not even aware of them. Through educating myself on a few matters involving privacy I was able to gauge logical solutions to enhance the American policies and views on security and privacy. 

In order to prevent these issues, the government could allow local police departments to be overseen by city councils, which would enable the government to monitor criminals, hackers, and other threats while eliminating the data of innocent people. Another suggestion would be to keep networks as secure as possible, which would make wiretapping more difficult but would also reduce the number of people who can access the data of any innocent individual. 

Lastly, I believe that the government needs to acknowledge victims of cyber assault and revenge porn and strengthen our policies in the United States to create a safer, more respectful environment. Other countries have acts, bills, and policies in place to deal with this situation, and the United States Government must take action. I believe the government needs to focus on accessing data and building a stronger database to protect and eliminate the information that is being collected from innocent citizens, so they do not fall victim to threats or hacking. I firmly believe that there should have already been and needs to be an act in place to defend the victims of revenge porn. 

To protect ourselves from becoming victims of privacy invasions, American citizens need to advocate for themselves and understand exactly where our information is going and how the government is receiving it. I believe transparency and advocacy are the first steps to making an impact. As American citizens, we have the right to speak up and make changes where we see fit. It is not only a priority but a duty to defend ourselves and our privacy. 

Protect Dissent :

    Freedom of Speech is a concept outlined in the United States' First Amendment, a term often used in American Society. This amendment protects American Citizens against the government violating personal constitutional rights. The First Amendment of the Constitution protects the citizens of America, regardless of background, knowledge, culture, or lifestyle.  

    The eight theories of free speech focus on the core values of the United States First Amendment and highlight the importance of advocacy, government support, and protection. The theory that resonated with me is Protect Dissent, which emphasizes the importance of advocacy in light of government and or political injustice. This theory is necessary to the culture of the United States because it gives citizens a voice to use their moral knowledge and skills to examine whether the United States' Governing system is ethical and inclusive.  

     Steve Shiffrin, a professor of law at Cornell University, novel "Dissent, Injustice, and the Meanings of America”, building on the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, Shiffrin encourages dissent opposed to tolerating the theory for American Citizens. Shiffron argues toward unconventional and controversial approaches such as “ flag burning, cigarette advertising, racist speech, and subsidizing the arts…” as core protests that would protect American Speech. He proposes open opportunities for Americans to challenge the imperfect political system and provide support for citizens who fight for an equal government in which justice is attained. Shiffrin's approach is to create more accessible and efficient defamation laws to protect the voices and opinions of American Citizens. By providing a safe, reform-based approach to the First Amendment, it highlights the key value of free speech.  

     Plessy vs. Ferguson, a popular Supreme Court case, is a prime example of protective dissent. This case occurred in 1892, when Louisiana enacted the Separate Car Act. Plessy was arrested after refusing to leave the “white only” section on the train. Plessy argued that the Separate Car Act was a violation of his Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The case was a 7-1 opinion in favor of Furguson and convinced Plessy. 

    The court affirmed the common misconception underlying the Separate Car Act and the meaning of “separate but equal.” The Court ruled in favor of Plessy, but the one Supreme Court justice who argued for Plessy, John Harlan, said,“Our Constitution is colorblind.” This statement is a direct example of protective dissent, highlighting the Supreme Court justices' statement in defense of Plessy, a marginalized voice who was convicted due to his race. Harlan opposed the injustice inflicted on Plessy, challenging a failure in the government’s system. 

     The case Plessy v. Ferguson and Harlan's dissenting argument outline the key idea of Protective Dissent and further emphasize it. Shiffrin’s novel connects not only this example but a plethora of cases to recognize the citizens who have fallen victim to the failures of the legislation. This theory provides context for American advocacy and efforts to protect the rights promised by the First Amendment for the greater good of an equal society that challenges the imperfections of the American Court System, Constitution, and Legislature. 

Top Five Sources of News

My Top Five News Sources: 

Medical News Today: 

Medical News Today is an online news outlet known for publishing research and analysis on human health and wellness. The health journal sources all its information from medical experts, scientists, peer-reviewed articles, and research to provide informative content on human health. The source provides multiple blogs pertaining to individual mental and physical health struggles. I use this outlet to learn more about my physical, mental, and emotional health, research supplements and vitamins that interest me, and explore specific aspects of my health. 

 

Instagram: 

Instagram, a popular and in-demand social media platform, presents images, videos, commentary, and story posts to engage users. Today
This platform is considered a news source for publishing local news and community information.  I use this source to communicate with my friends and to view their accomplishments, travels, and day-to-day lives. This source allows me to stay in touch with my friends and family who may not be close by. It also encourages me to post and use my creative skillset and mind to share my thoughts, memories, travels, and more.  It is also a new way to discover current events in my hometown and college town, High Point. @HighPointDiscovered is one of my favorite accounts to visit, as it keeps me up to date on current events, new restaurants, and community engagements in High Point, NC, which helps me connect with the local community I belong to during the school year. 

Flare: 

Flare is an online app designed to provide a space for organizations and groups to make announcements, use a calendar, post images, and create an attendance platform. Kappa Delta Sorority uses this platform specifically to share news reports and announcements with the entire chapter, similar to an online blog with eight hosts for each of our council members. I use this source specifically to create organized posts and announcements, and to view important content from other members of the chapter.

TikTok: 

TikTok is a very popular social media platform that has gained widespread attention in the past few years for being a place where people can create and upload videos. These videos can contain any and all sources, posted at any time. This source also allows for personal connection through news, since each influencer online has a platform to create, speak, and inform as they choose. This allows me to use the platform as an instant outlet to learn about recent social news, media updates, new products, and much more. With the live feature, people can produce real content in the moment for all their viewers to access. This source provides current information on new hygiene, fashion, wellness, health, and general products, making it easily accessible. 

Gmail: 

Although not a traditional news source, Gmail is extremely crucial to the day-to-day lives of many college students. I view Gmail as a channel for receiving important updates on internship training. Especially as a college student, having access to updates on campus, in the High Point community, and about campus engagement is super beneficial and helpful to my learning experience. Being part of Greek life, student government, and campus clubs, I use Gmail to communicate and receive updates about times, dates, events, and other information. It also gives me insight into weather updates and local activity, so I can easily prepare for any weather conditions or local emergencies and always be ready for what's ahead in my day.