Facebook...or Brainbook??? Facebook is looking into the future...

And it’s a little Sci-Fi. In an article on TIME's website written by Lisa Eadicicco, Facebook's VP Regina Dugan announced that they are working toward a Facebook that is powered by...you guessed it...your brain. Typing at approximately 100 words per minute, Dugan claims it will be capable of "decoding a person's neural activity." Dugan also stated that the program may also help those with communication disorders. 

While this was not the only futuristic plan Dugan spoke about, it does seem like it might be the most controversial. While the technology needed to produce this kind of program is years, if not decades, away from creation, there are already some potentially major problems with this kind of program. 

For example, privacy may be of cause for concern when it comes to a program that knows what you are thinking and is able to post those thoughts onto the largest social media platform. Maybe it's just me, but I filter a LOT of my thoughts before I say them out loud. I do that even more so when I'm typing on the internet. 

Luckily, this program and others like it are still miles away from being created, and in the meantime, perhaps Ms. Dugan will come up with answers to some of the more concerning aspects of their future-facebook. 

Social Media Stands Together

I recently read an article on Cnet that gave me hope for my generation. If you've paid attention to the news at all, you will have seen that this past weekend, newly-elected President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning immigration from seven countries. Regardless of anyone's opinion on this matter--including mine--this was big news. As many people's lives were disrupted by this action, one message was abundantly clear: Our media would not stand for it!

According to Ian Sherr of Cnet news, dozens of the most popular media founders, owners, and business executives flocked to social media sites to voice their opinions, concerns and outrage at the executive order. Sherr reported that Facebook, Apple, Google, Twitter, Microsoft and many other companies expressed their criticism of the new president's actions. Other companies, like Uber, Netflix, and large technology corporations have joined in, showing their support of the movement and calling for the ban to be lifted. These same companies have begun raising money, donating, or writing letters to forward their cause. Several of them have spoken out about their own immigrant heritage, sparking a global discussion of opposition against the order.

President Donald Trump

As I stated earlier, this article gave me hope for my generation. Whether you consider yourself a 90s kid or a millennial, social media has become a far-reaching platform where globalized communities have been formed and bonds have been made. Yet, somehow, we have a reputation for not caring about politics or the events that are shaping our world. After reading this article, I have to say that I think we have been underestimated. I looked at this article as more than just someone saying "Hey. Everyone is mad about this executive order." I looked into the media effects of what the article says and saw hope. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are creating conversations amongst the generations who have a stereotyped disregard for anyone other than themselves. We know that social media puts us in contact with the world, but it also puts the world in contact with us. And in doing so, we have become a connected unit of people willing to stand up for what we believe in, in a whole new way.

Immigration Ban Pickets

While the article sticks closely to just reporting on what these tech-world leaders are saying and doing, I want to see how these actions contribute to my generation's voice. Social media platforms have given my generation the ability to voice opinions, along with the ability to hear the opinion's of those who have shaped our world and our media. We are a whole new generation with our own processes and tools to shape the world. Seeing how the technological world comes together to not only voice their opinion, but also take action to help their cause, cements my belief that my generation will save the world.

Tayla Madaris

Social Media