YouTube Red, The Good, and the Bad

If you haven't heard already, YouTube Red is a subscription service that allows you some extra services within YouTube.  For $10 a month you get access to offline video downloading, background play, and an ad free experience. These features are nice, and long awaited.  Offline downloading and background play are the real prize out of YouTube Red though.

Many people do not have unlimited data on their phones or other devices, and watching videos starts to eat up data fast. Therefor, instead of watching a video on mobile data, you can simply download the video over wifi, and watch it later. I often use a service that downloads videos of YouTube so that I can watch them on a road trip. This application is not the best, and is hard to navigate in. A built-in YouTube downloader is really just what I could of ask for from Google.

Background play is a feature that many people have been asking for a long time, and now is available for videos. Some entertainers post podcast like videos on YouTube, of them talking about a subject, or taking to someone else. Before, to listen to this on a mobile platform, you would have to leave YouTube running on your phone or other device, and couldn't do anything else.  With a YouTube Red subscription, you'll be able to listen to a YouTube video and browse a website, read a book, play a game, and many other things while the audio of the video plays in the background.

An ad free experience itself isn't worth the monthly subscription to me, luckily the other features are. For anyone, it is possible to watch YouTube videos ad free with an ad-blocker, but some people might feel better paying instead of watching ads.  An ad-blocker would mean that content creators wouldn't get any revenue from you watching their videos.

YouTube Red in my eyes is a way for YouTube to generate more money. The problem is though this money that would of gone to content creators from ad views, is now partially going to YouTube instead. It's been discreetly noted in YouTube's Partner terms earlier this year that content creators would get only 55% of the revenue.  Many content creators are expressing concerns that they will no-longer make as much money during the month of November, when Google is offering a free trial of YouTube Red for a month. We just don't know how Google entails on paying content creators.

Overall, we just don't know all the facts on YouTube Red. It seems like a good service for a few features, and it's up to you if it's worth $10 for. I'm sure that they're looking at adding more features in the future to make this seem more appealing. We don't know how well content creators will be payed with this change, but most content creators haven't put all their eggs in a basket. Many youtubers have online stores where you can buy merch to support them, twitch channels that you can subscribe and donate to, and other services. We'll figure out more as YouTube Red comes out in November.

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Why I'm Still Interested in Chromebooks

College is approaching, and along with almost any degree out there, a computer is almost necessary to get through everything.  The problem is, many good performing computers can cost a lot, and most of the time you'll want a laptop because of it's portability, which will cost a lot more.  Finding that one laptop might be had with the large selection of brands, series, models, versions, and whatnot. Another alternative that many people might not know is the Chromebook.

The Chromebook is a laptop that is marketed by Google. There are a large selection of different models, but a clear difference among each of them. Google offers a high end version of their product, and many low end versions of the Chromebook. Low end models cost from $100 to $300, and their top model, the Chromebook Pixel for $1000.  You do get a lot more when you pay more, but that doesn't mean the low end versions are terrible. It's actually the price that attracts me the most to the product.

The Chromebook isn't your typical computer, as it doesn't run Windows or apple. Instead Google has developed their own operating system, as the name suggests, based on chrome. You won't be able to install just anything on your new Chromebook, instead you'll be limited to what is available in the Chrome store. The chrome store has a wide variety to offer, including a remote desktop application. You'll be able to take control of any other computer that you've set up control with through chrome. In my situation, this would work well. I would be able to take control of my desktop from almost everywhere on campus.  Also with a new app called ARC Welder, you're able to run any android application, provided you have the APK for it.

Overall, I would say that a Chromebook is more of a toy then a tool in my eyes, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be used as a tool by some people. Schools have been getting Chromebooks instead of other laptops or tablets. It can be a cheaper solution to a surface or other conventional laptops. Also Google Drive is a very useful tool allowing you for no added cost to type documents, excel like charts, and create presentations and store them all online. All which are compatible on the Chromebook.  If anything, consider a chromebook when shopping for a new laptop.

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Links

Running Android Apps On a Chromebook

Best Chromebooks

Learning a New Language

Throughout highschool, I've been taking Chinese as a second language. Anyone else who is learning, or has learned another language can share the pain in what it takes to re-teach your brain to work in another language. It takes time and a lot of practice to get down this week’s vocabulary, or this sentence structure before a test. I'm unable to pick up my Textbook and effectively study with the little time I have. Luckily I've found some useful tools that I use to help me learn another language.

Though often looked at as an evil resource by teachers, Google Translate is a useful tool to aid your learning. Whenever I come across a word or phrase I don’t know or recognize, I’ll pull up Google Translate and figure it out. Some teachers express some hostility towards Google Translate, and the have an adequate reason to do so.  But that doesn’t mean that it’s still not a resource, but it shouldn’t just be used to do your assignment for you, but to aid you.

Quizlet is a website that allows teacher to create a classroom and have online flashcards for students to study from. I’ve found it very helpful while learning Chinese.  Instead of making flashcards while many foreign language teachers make their students do, students can spend more time studying words and terms. Quizlet also offers other study techniques instead of just digital flashcards, that try to reinforce what you know, and single off exactly what you’re not confident on. They created an app that allows you to take quizlet with you on the go. There are also some fun little games that you can play with your terms and definitions.  

There are many other good english to other languages apps for you devices. For example I use Pleco, which is an amazing english to chinese translator.  It is specifically designed to provide some of the best english to chinese translations out there.  I’m able to open the app and draw in the character I don’t know. It offers me sentences that includes the character, and words formed with that character. It’s a great app for anyone learning chinese that I highly recommend.

It’s not just foreign languages that technology can help teach. There are some great apps made by SoloLearn that offer a chance to learn a programing language. They offer Java, Html, SQL, Python, CSS, and PHP.  Each app offers a similar experience, but with different content. I’ve been trying out their HTML version to see how it is. It teaches you different tags, and then tests you on it after each session.  It has you answer questions by physically typing it in, drag and drop, and multiple choice.

The great thing about all these resources, is their all free. This is great content out there to aid your learning, and many for tools that I haven’t even listed. Though some teachers are hesitant in talking about these kinds of tools, students should understand that these technological tools are not meant to complete your homework for you, but to aid in your learning.

Kardashev Scale

The Kardashev scale is a way to measure a civilization’s level of technological advancement.  It classifies civilizations based on the amount of useable energy a civilization has access to.  Although we use this scale, it is only theoretical.  It was first proposed by Astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964.  The base theory has three categories of civilizations; Type 1, 2, and 3, but other people have proposed more types of civilizations.  Overall, a type 1 civilization has access to all energy on their planet,  type 2 has access to all energy in their solar system, and type 3 civilizations have access to all the energy in their galaxy.

A type one civilization would have access to, and use, all available power on their “earth” (estimated to be about 4 x 1012 watts for the human race.).  These power sources could include fusion of hydrogen (Technically not renewable), and other renewable resources.  Complete communication world-wide (Internet) would be available. Construction on gigantic projects, Megascale engineering, would be going on.  The civilization would start to colonize other planets/moons in their solar system.  On their home planet, the would have control of the weather.

Type two civilizations would have access to, and use, all available power in their solar system (calculated to be around 4 x 1029 watts for the human race).  One way to harness all the energy would to construct a Dyson Sphere around the sun.  Type two civilizations would be conducting interstellar travel, and interstellar communication.  They would be colonising other solar systems, and terraforming planets/moons.

The human race is on track to become a type one civilization.  Currently according to the Kardashev scale, we are a type .73 civilization, according to our technological advancements and energy consumption.   It is estimated that we will reach type 1 “status” in roughly 100 to 200 years.  World wide communication is a close future. With the Internet, we're able to communicate and share ideas/work with just about anyone. As countries develop, and Internet access is available everywhere , communication with anyone will be possible.  Space colonization is closer than you might think. There is currently a program called Mars One, that plans to send a colonizing ship to mars in 2024. Although, there are a few concerns.  As Michio Kaku said, “Terrorism in some sense is a reaction against the creation of a type one civilization.“  As we have the capabilities of destroying ourself, we will either end up destroying ourself, or advancing as a type one civilization.

Marijuana and Tech Use

Colorado and Washington have legalized the use of marijuana, and many states are looking to follow. Having laws that makes the distribution and use of marijuana helps prevent many problems.  Marijuana should not be legalized due to its negative effects, kids’ safety risks, and federal legalization problems.
Marijuana should not be legalized due to its harmful effects on the user. Marijuana isn’t harmless like most people try to think.  According to research, Marijuana smoke contains larger amounts of cancer-producing hydrocarbons than tobacco. Not only that but, Acute intoxication impairs learning, memory, and intellectual performance. Kids are also at risk to become addicted to this clearly harmful substance.

Legalizing marijuana poses a threat to our children's’ safety.  If states are legalizing marijuana, kids are going to have an easier time accessing this drug. According to Sabet, When availability goes up, the kids’ access to it is going to go up too. It doesn’t matter if there would be laws restricting the age you can legally buy it, more and more kids will have access to this harmful substance. Looking at Colorado where it has been legalized, we clearly see this problem. Studies already have found increased emergency room admissions for teens in Colorado who reported using someone else’s “medical” marijuana.  Our children's’ safety isn’t the only problem though, marijuana being illegal at federal level causes many problems.

Marijuana remains a problem even after state legalization due to it being illegal at federal level. Even though it is safe to sell, and use marijuana in Colorado and Washington, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to be arrested.  Like Professor Rob Mikos said, State legalization plans might backfire on pot sellers because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. If nothing is done to this, many conflicts will occur between state and federal law, like tax benefits. The fact that they can’t take certain tax deductions because they’re in an illegal business. 

Overall, marijuana poses a huge health risk if we legalize this substance.  The harm will be worse than what little benefits there would be if it was legal.  Marijuana should not be legalized due to its negative effects, kids’ safety risks, and federal legalization problems.

How has Smartphones Affected This Generation.

In an age where 66% of adult Americans have a cellphone, smartphones are becoming a big thing. It has changed how we navigate, communicate, and relax. Being constantly connected to the internet, people are able to communicate with the internet and other people from almost everywhere. Smartphones have really only been a thing for about 8 years, yet they've instantly changed our lives more than we realize. 

When I have to go somewhere new, the first thing I'll do is pull out my phone, type in the address, and have it navigate me to my unfamiliar location. I have no need to carry a paper map in my car, or go out and buy a separate product like a GPS, because I have the capabilities of both already in my pocket. Not only have we replaced conventional maps and GPS's, we have made a lot of improvements. Now we have the ability to see if there is any obstetrical on our route, and go around them. If you're navigating within Google Maps for example, you'll be alerted if there is construction or heavy traffic on your path to you location, and asked if you'd like to take a faster route.

Like I've talked previously on in The Internet is More Important Than You May Think, smartphones are extremely powerful tools that allow us with seemingly instant connection with anyone else almost everywhere. We're use to having this power of no matter where we are, you can start texting your friend and carry out a conversation. Teens are often told to "put down your phone, and talk to the people around you". Though they might be disconnected from the conversation around them, they're connected with other people and activity communication. It's not just being anti-social, but possibly just being a little too social because they're able to talk to someone at any time without being right next to them. 

Smartphones have become a replacement to other forms of entertainment. Instead of calling someone, you're able to join a group chat, and text to a group of people all at the same time. You can have a video chat and look at the friend you're chatting with, or show your friend something. You can play co-op games together, or compete against each other. You're able to watch a video, netflix, or TV anywhere you want. Connection to the internet offers you endless amounts of entertainment with all the apps and content you have access to.

When you pull out your phone out of your pocket, take a second to appreciate how much you rely on your phone for daily things such as navigation, being connected, and entertainment.

Self Driving Cars

If you haven't heard yet, self driving cars are a real thing. One big name, Google, has been pioneering this idea. They have been testing self driving cars for a while now, and are fairly close to a final product. This car will be able to drive to a location and navigate through traffic. The premise behind the car is lasers. It works by a laser sending out a beam and with the time it took to come back, it generates an image. The on board computer has been taught to identify things such as the curb, road lines, signs and pedestrians and react to them accordingly. Google has tested this car in many situations and even out on road. It has been predicted that a fleet of self driving cars will hit the streets soon and take over the roads. The premise of the roads being filled with SDCs would be a benefit, they would be able to communicate with each other and create a network of information about the road conditions and hazards. The only problem to this fleet, is selling the idea to the consumers. If you ask someone, they might not want to take a ride in a SDC, afraid for their lives. They might not feel safe driving alongside a SDC. Unknowingly though, you might already have driven along with a SDC. In 4 states, Nevada, California, Florida, and Michigan, the state governments have passed laws allowing SDCs to operate on the open road. Google has taken the opportunity, after a long while of private testing, to test the car on the road. Surprisingly this car is very refined and has only been in minor accidents, and every time, it has not been the self driving car’s fault. Another concern some people might share is the cost. Right now, Google has spent a lot of money in their cars. Though the amount of money put into developing it, it is only expected to add $7000 to $10000 to new car prices. This is a lot for some people who can barely afford to buy a car at current prices, but the technology is expected to drop even more in years following its release. Also, car companies are looking at taking the technology, and putting it into cars for cheaper prices. Overall, self driving cars will become a thing no matter if you like it or not. Farther into the future cars will become cheaper and more continent to build and ride.