Evolution of Email

In a professional setting, many people automatically think that the “go-to” way to communicate is through the use of email. Email has dominated the professional environment and has even became a way for people to communicate long-distance. The stigma behind email is so much different than the use of SMS text, which is a more informal way to communicate.

Email, or “electronic mail,” has been around for much shorter of a time than most people believe. Before email, people would write physical letters to other people – writing both addresses of the location the letter is intended to go to. Physical letters could be time consuming and the only thing more time-costly than writing the letter was the process between when the letter is sent and when it is received.

Communication through letter changed in 1971. At a Boston firm, Ray Tomlinson was tasked with finding a use for ARPANET, which was an early computer network that stood for Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. With this project, Tomlinson was able to create electronic mail. Along with creating email, Tomlinson decided that “@” would be the locator symbol for email addresses.

The start-up of email first began with only text included in the messages. In addition, the use of email was for more academic purposes as the main users of email were from universities or research organizations. Whether it was conversations regarding academia or any information about research collected, email became a major way for people to go back and forth. However, 17 years later, in 1988, the first commercial email was sent.

According to the International Encyclopedia of Hospitality about email, “E-mail is sent cheaply via a network from one computer to one or many other computers at near instantaneous speed, with an email address available to all with access to a computer.” As technology has evolved overall, email has as well.

Over time, email has become more than just something for selective people. In modern day, people can email more than one person at a time. This form of communication is much different compared to SMS texting and the stigma that surrounds it. Comparing email and SMS text message, SMS has a stigma that it is more informal and needs to be responded to quickly. However, email is receiver friendly; the receiver of email can choose when to respond. This technology has evolved by also being a major way for marketers to target their audience. All in all, email has changed communication between professionals, businesses, and simple informal communication.

Reference: https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/esthospitality/electronic_mail_e_mail/0 ; https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ngeobig/email/0 ; https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ngeongse/e_mail/0?institutionId=2970

Principles to Fight

Many people throughout the world do not favor war. Does anyone want to fight for any given reason? Some people may believe this idea supports the idea of pacifism, which is that idea that war is unjustifiable in any circumstance. Other’s may believe it is just being “realistic,” meaning thinking about the situation clearly and concisely.

Fox Conner, a man who was alive from 1874 until 1951 and endure the aftereffects of the Civil War and was alive during both World Wars, shared his thoughts on the difference between pacifism and realism. He believed that people should “never fight unless you have to, never fight alone, and never fight for a long time.” With these beliefs, was he being realistic or was he being a pacifist based on history with war? Are all wars fought because they “have to?” Are all wars fought with a group of people? Are all wars fought for a short amount of time?

Relating back to history, the Civil War specifically was fought due to the differing opinions on slavery, was fought alone, and was fought for a long time. Connecting to Conner’s thoughts, this specific was not justifiable as it did not check off each box. 

In modern day, this concept can still be relevant to the military and those with strong opinions on war. Based on the current events involving the Trump Administration and foreign countries – does the United States have to fight? Does the United States have allies to support us in a potential war? Last but not least, how long will this fight be drawn out to?

Reference: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-forgotten-realist-soldier-who-warned-against-forever-war/

Is Google Monopolistic?

How often do you find yourself unsure about something and then you tell yourself to “Google it?” Google has become a national dominating enterprise that internet users often find themselves gravitating to when needing to search things. However, there has been a large discussion on the power that Google holds on users.

In today’s tech world, “Nine out of 10 online searches are conducted through Google.” This statistic has raised awareness on whether or not Google has become a monopoly. Defined through Webster Dictionary, a monopoly is exclusive possession or control. It has been brought to the attention of users that Google allows their own search ads and services are promoted before their rivals. Beyond a simple Google search, Google company has dominated the technology world by developing Android phones and other popular devices. Due to the awareness of Google becoming a monopoly, other organizations along with European Regulators have tried to halt the expansion of Google. Some of the organizations have fined them, others have just expressed their grievances.

On the other hand, Google has argued that despite their dominance on the internet, they help internet users in everything that they do. This similar goal is reflected in other search engines, but since Google has expanded the company to more than just a search engine. All in all, is the use of powerhouse called Google becoming too much? 

Reference: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-antitrust-probe-48-u-s-states-launch-antitrust-investigation-of-google-dominance-in-search-ads-and-data/