Thank You For Smoking Reflection

The film "Thank You for Smoking" does show how there is a complex relationship with persuasion and advertising and public relations. In the film, the character, Nick Naylor has shown how it can be effective communication when it's being used to defend products that are widely known as harmful. Naylor was a tobacco lobbyist, he was able to shift conversations and was great at avoiding direct accountability. This shows us that the truth can easily be manipulated when it's being used in marketing. The film has tension when you think of something is legal, but it does not mean it's morally acceptable. 

Personally, if I was Nick Naylor and had his job, I would struggle as well, no matter what the salary is. Even if someone wants to offer me $100,000 or $200,000 a year if I knew personally, I was promoting something that would cause harm to individuals and would conflict my values that would not be something I would be able to do. The amount of tobacco use has caused over 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. When it's your job to promote something of this sort, it also requires you to have to ignore the consequences that this product may occur to many individuals. I understand it was Naylor's job to represent a client in a professional setting, but I believe there's also a difference between advocacy and deception, and the line was overly drawn with Naylor's job. 

This issue does not stop with tobacco. There are other forms of advertising that are just as harmful such as alcohol, vaping, and gambling. As we all know, e-cigarette's have been heavily marketed and being told it's a safer alternative to traditional smoking. From my research from the National Institute of Health, showed me that nicotine has increased within teenagers in recent years. As these companies do market well with using appealing flavors as well as social media, as most teenagers are on which does attract the younger audience. As for gambling advertisements have been seen to become more common, especially through sports partnerships, and this is making it seem normal and risk free and in reality this as well can lead to an addiction and financial harm. These industries do operate legally, but their marketing strategies are often for profit and not for the public health. 

In the film, there's another issue raised, and it was whether older movies should be edited to remove smoking scenes. I don't think this would be a great idea by changing how classic films were made, but I think moving forward there should be something implemented that doesn't market harmful and addictive things to the public that is just benefiting the institution. If we were to change classic films from the past, we wouldn't understand the cause of certain marketing ideas as for this we have seen that smoking has increased because of the marketing and advertisements that have shown. But if we remove that there will be no source of telling that certain advertisements have statistically proven not good for the public. We just need to focus on how certain products are advertise today rather than rewriting the past.

The question we need to ask is if the government should ban advertising for harmful products altogether. We have the first amendment, which is free speech and if we ban these advertisements, it would reduce exposure, but it would also lead to controversy on if the first amendment is not being applied properly. In our society today, companies are allowed to promote legal products and the consumers watching these advertisements are expected to purchase these items on their own decisions. However., this assumption does not always end up being true, especially when marketing does intend to influence vulnerable groups.. I think we should add strict or regulations then completely ban certain advertisement so it doesn't and in society fighting back-and-forth with the first amendment and adding stricter regulations is also gonna protect the younger audience. 

Finally, the role of the reporter in the film she covers important truths about tobacco industry, was compromising her credibility by implementing her personal involvement with Naylor it all raised ethical concerns. Ethical journalism requires maintaining professional boundaries, even when you're trying to portray a meaningful story. In the film, the reporter may have had her intentions be justified, but on the other hand or actions in the end, do not fully justify the means.

Overall, Thank You for Smoking did show how a lot of persuasion from advertisements and marketing do blur the controversy between legality and morality. It tells us that while advertising in public relations are powerful tools. They can also carry a very heavy responsibility that we need to consider the impact that it has on our society.

Gatekeeping & Agenda Setting

My topic is gatekeeping and agenda setting, and how these two ideas are connected in the media.

Gatekeeping is the process where journalists, editors, and media organizations decide which information becomes news. Every day, thousands of events happen around the world, but the media cannot report everything. Because of this, people working in the media act as “gatekeepers.” They decide which stories are important enough to pass through the “gate” and reach the public. 

Agenda setting happens after that process. Agenda setting means the media influences what the public thinks is important by giving certain topics more attention than others. The media may not directly tell people what to think, but it strongly influences what people think about.

These two ideas work closely together. Gatekeeping decides which stories make it into the news, and agenda setting decides which of those stories receive the most attention. When media outlets focus on certain topics again and again, those topics become the issues that people talk about the most in society.

There are both positive and negative implications of this.

On the positive side, gatekeeping helps organize the huge amount of information happening in the world. Journalists check sources, verify facts, and try to make sure that the information they publish is accurate. This helps prevent misinformation from spreading and allows the public to focus on important issues like public health, elections, economic changes, or natural disasters.

However, there can also be negative effects. Since humans are making these decisions, bias, personal opinions, or political interests can influence which stories are chosen. Sometimes important issues may not receive much coverage because they are not considered exciting enough or profitable for media companies. This can cause the public to focus on certain issues while ignoring others that may also be important.

A good example of gatekeeping and agenda setting can be seen in how the media covers crime. If news stations frequently report violent crimes, people may start to believe that crime is increasing or that society is becoming more dangerous. In reality, crime rates might actually be decreasing. The media first used gatekeeping when they chose those crime stories to report. Then they created agenda setting by repeatedly covering those stories and making crime seem like one of the most important issues in society.

These can affect different groups of people in different ways. Wealthier individuals or large organizations may have more influence over media platforms or the ability to control their public image. Meanwhile, issues affecting poorer communities may receive less attention. Minority groups may also be underrepresented in the media or may not always have their perspectives fully shown in news coverage.

Overall, gatekeeping and agenda setting play a powerful role in shaping public opinion. By deciding what information reaches the public and which issues receive the most attention, the media has a major influence on how people understand the world and what issues society believes are most important.

Online Privacy

After watching the TED Talks on privacy, I didn’t just feel informed I felt uneasy. As someone who plans to become a lawyer, I see how privacy is becoming one of the most critical legal battles of our generation.

We voluntarily share information online every day: photos, opinions, locations, political beliefs. But companies like Facebook and other tech platforms collect far more than we realize. Our data is tracked, analyzed, sold, and sometimes handed over. At the same time, governments use surveillance tools, facial recognition, and AI monitoring systems often without clear public understanding or consent.

As a future attorney, this raises major constitutional concerns. What happens to the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches when our phones track us 24/7? Who owns our digital footprint? Can data gathered by algorithms be trusted in court?

Privacy violations don’t just affect criminals, they affect everyone. My friends, my family, and I all carry devices that constantly collect information. A future case I argue in court may hinge on digital evidence pulled from someone’s social media, cloud storage, or search history.

The government must strengthen digital privacy protections, require transparency in AI systems, and hold corporations accountable for data misuse. At the same time, we must take responsibility: limit oversharing, use encryption, and understand that nothing online is ever truly private.

If privacy is the most vexing issue of the Digital Age, then defending it may be one of the most important roles I take on as a lawyer.

The Impact/Revolution of Artificial Intelligence in The Field of Law

How is AI going to affect the field of law and attorneys? Will it overall ruin the opportunities for attorneys? Could it benefit the stress in the field of law? There is actually two sides to the story when reviewing effects on AI, there is a potential reconstruction to the legal system that will benefit as well by making things faster and more efficient to benefit the customers. But on the other hand its also lowering the pay of attorneys because it basically takes away the traditional billable hour model, as generative AI tools enable the completion of legal tasks in a fraction of the time previously required. While this increases efficiency, it reduces the total hours that can be billed for routine tasks, particularly affecting junior associates and areas like document review, legal research, and contract drafting.

According to Lean Law, "the ABA, 31% of legal professionals now personally use generative AI at work, up from 27% the year prior. Firms with more than 50 attorneys report significantly higher adoption rates, approaching 39%. And 82% of AI users report increased efficiency. Meanwhile, the 2025 Ediscovery Innovation Report from Everlaw found that lawyers using generative AI tools report saving up to 260 hours annually—the equivalent of about 32.5 working days." This just shows how many hours go unpaid because of the use of AI decreasing the amount attorneys have to work. This is dangerous because more people are noticing how cheap and fast AI can generate things you need it to do, it is spreading to the vast majority quickly which many corporate legal departments have already made the decision for AI to perform the work for attorneys and this takes away opportunities for jobs. Attorneys get paid for the hours and time they put into their work and research, when that is cut short by AI completing the daily tasks of an attorney you will get billed less, which can cause financial issues to some when having to deal with previously knowing the amount they would bring home to now it being unknown if they will even have their job tomorrow.

On the other hand AI could reconstruct our field of law because it will offer services at a reduced cost then ever before. Not only will it be cheaper to customers but also it will be faster and reliable information as well. As states in Brookings, "Law firms that effectively leverage emerging AI technologies will be able to offer services at lower cost, higher efficiency, and with higher odds of favorable outcomes in litigation. Law firms that fail to capitalize on the power of AI will be unable to remain cost-competitive, losing clients and undermining their ability to attract and retain talent." As society is revolving we need to adopt to the changes happening or else we will be stuck in the dark before we know it. Just view it as attorneys have to review documentation, draft motions for the court, finding reverent cases, evidence, preparing arguments. This takes weeks and maybe more depending on the severity of the case, but if we include AI in our daily work lives this could all rap up to only take a week or so, which minimizes the stress of all the hours and work an attorney has to put themselves through just for one case. This could take the stress off the attorneys from focussing to much on every little thing they need to accomplish and just focus on the main parts they have to present in court or prepare the service the customer asked for in a quick time rate. This can also reduce the amount of mistakes made in the field of law with AI being efficient in its job, it will also make tasks easier to complete without having to go back and relook at the mistakes made by a person.

Overall, there is always two sides to every story and this one is the AI in the field of law/attorneys. We have seen that there is benefits along with dangerous reconsideration but at the end of the day we need to adapt to the changes of our country today before we are left behind and lose everything we have worked so hard for. There is a loophole to everything in society you just have to think long and hard how you will utilize the resources given in the correct fundamental way. We also need to see their is an impact on AI changes lives for the worse and better but if we all have the proper knowledge and problem solving skills I believe AI could be beneficial and also keep attorneys and the field of law safe if used properly.  

Market Place of Ideas

When thinking about the importance of your Amendments, you view the laws behind every situation regarding your rights. Looking at the Eight Values of Free Expression it dies down to what is important to you, when thinking in terms of wide range of significance you need to really dial down to one or two that truly impact your life. The two that I truly felt compelled to was "Stable Change" and "Individual Self Fulfillment". These both have major weight in my opinion, This is the foundation of our country, we praise our Freedom of Speech and how we are able to express ourselves through our words and identity. Having these in place gives our country societal influences to learn and grow from as a whole. 

Starting with "Stable Change", which in other words is called, Safety Valve Theory. This gives the free right of the people to let them communicate their opinions to the public. This was the governments way of letting people "vent", instead if interfering with the angry they let it occur so they don't get overturned in office, if they tried to stop the wrong person from freely practicing their rights. An example of this could also be a group setting as a protest where this specific crowd of people had a belief that a certain area of the law needs revision and this group decided to protest and also make a organization to make a difference just to be seen/heard. This protest was called, "March for Our Lives" dating back in February of 2018. 

This protest, known as March for Our Lives, was triggered by the Parkland school shooting. The movement demonstrated how free expression functions as a safety valve within society. Instead of allowing frustration, grief, and anger to turn into violence, individuals were given a lawful and visible way to express their concerns. Through marches, speeches, social media campaigns, and organized advocacy, people were able to push for conversation and reform while remaining within the structure of the law. This is exactly how stable change is meant to operate, allowing society to release pressure, challenge authority, and encourage reform without destabilizing the nation as a whole.

The second value that strongly impacts my life is Individual Self-Fulfillment. Freedom of expression allows individuals to develop their identity, beliefs, and sense of purpose without fear of punishment or censorship. Being able to speak openly, express opinions, and align oneself with causes or communities helps people understand who they are and what they stand for.

A clear example of individual self-fulfillment can be seen through social movements such as Black Lives Matter. Individuals involved in this movement use free expression; through protests, speeches, art, and social media, to share personal experiences, call attention to injustice, and advocate for change. For many participants, speaking out is not just about influencing policy, but about reclaiming their voice and affirming their identity in a society where they may have felt unheard. This ability to express deeply personal beliefs publicly allows individuals to feel empowered and validated, reinforcing their sense of self.

Without this freedom, individuals would be forced to suppress their thoughts and emotions, which could lead to frustration, isolation, or a loss of personal identity. Individual self-fulfillment through expression strengthens democracy by encouraging authenticity and diversity of thought. When people are free to express who they are and what they believe, society becomes more informed.

Top 5 Sources of News

 

#1 TikTok

I rely on TikTok for majority of my information when wanting to understand whats going on around the world currently. It is very easy to utilize and isn't all just reading a large text, it is more visual and can really feel the emotion behind what is truly going on around the universe today. It has also helped me learn many new techniques and tutorials on anything you need help on. It is driven by anyone in the world so the information isn't always reliable but if your understanding the content of AI and real then its a useful source. 

#2 Google 

This is a worldwide base where everyone can use to find anything. I use Google in my day to day life. I will use it for school, new information, or to look up external browsing tabs to help me accomplish my everyday tasks. It is very useful when used appropriately and when something doesn't seem to be correct you can find a million other sources that could also be scholarly to help the biased concerns. Google has evolved with the years but this Is the standard use for everyone's living including mine to browse anything. 

#3 Family, Friends, & Educators

My surrounding of people also is my source of grasping information I need or to even to learn new information about day to day news. My professors are usually explaining to the class the news that has been going around the country and it helps me stay connected. My family is another great source of mine, my dad watches the news everyday, whether its reading or watching it on the TV so he makes it a priority to call me when his new details when he listens or reads something interesting that he might think I would need to know. Finally I learn the most news from my friends since I am around them the most. Rumors or information gets spread quickly within our generation today so I get to be informed about a lot when surrounded by my friends.  

#4 FOX NEWS

This is my ideal way of find major events that are occurring in our country. I will use FOX NEWS to help me keep up to date with information that is important to my living. I will use this when im hearing rumors of either our country falling apart or an even that is making others worried. I also used it to help me understand the Law since I will be an attorney one day and is a useful way of practice for me to learn the political side of things. 

#5 Email

I am one to get my information about upcoming important dates or involvement through my email. It is very useful when it's condensed information that comes through that will interest you or benefit you in a certain way. I use my email a lot when trying to see what new things I can add to my everyday life to be more involved. I also find useful information about upcoming meetings, canceled activities, opportunities for jobs/Internships, or even a professional way to communicate with your educators or people in the career field.