A Touchy Technology

After Apple's release of the new iPhone 5s in September, many new updates have been made to the iPhone 5, one of them being the fingerprint scanner. Though fingerprint technology has been used on a smaller scale by some businesses and universities as a means of identification, the addition of the fingerprint scanner on the 5s has made the technology mainstream.

When I first heard about the new fingerprint technology that is incorporated into the new iPhone, I thought it would be pretty cool--almost like something that only exists in the movies. Though a fingerprint scanner sounded cool, I was still not sold on the practicality of fingerprint technology. The idea of having a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s seemed like just another gimmick to get people to buy a new phone.

Another major concern about fingerprints being used to guard personal information, is security. Apple does do a very good job of making sure that your fingerprint is safe by storing "fingerprint data on a quarantined section of the phone's processor, doesn't sync with iCloud, and is blocked from third-party use." Though Apple is very protective of fingerprint information, they may not be the only ones who will have your fingerprint information in the future. With the increasing use of fingerprint technology, many people may be wondering if fingerprints might be the password of the future.

An article I was reading from Popular Science voices the possible concerns of biometric identification: "A fingerprint’s greatest strength—its uniqueness—is also its greatest weakness." Though fingerprint scanners are pretty awesome, they have many weaknesses when it comes to security. For one thing, a password can always be reset or an account can always be deleted, however, that is not true with a fingerprint. Because we have yet to perfect fingerprint technology, I feel it should be reserved for recreational use and for scifi movies.

How do you feel about fingerprint technology? How might fingerprint technology change the future for the good or bad?

Leave Your Guns At Home

As New Trier students and staff returned to school after an extended Winter Break, small laminated signs of a handgun surrounded by a red circle with a line through the center greeted everyone as we made our way inside. Nice way to start the day, eh?

After researching the origins of these signs, I found that the signs relate to the Illinois conceal and carry law, which took affect on January 1st this year. The conceal and carry law allows a citizen with a conceal carry permit to carry a firearm as protection. However, even with a conceal and carry permit, you are not allowed to bring a firearm into most public place like libraries, hospitals, sport stadiums, and zoos. 

I was also surprised to find out that Illinois was actually the last state in the country to pass a law that allows citizens to obtain a concealed carry permit. As long as you are 21 or older, have a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card, complete a 16-hour training course and pass a background check, you are able to get a concealed carry permit for $150.

Personally, I find it to be ridiculous that a citizens are now allowed to carry a concealed weapon even after hearing about all of the tragedies and school shootings that have happened as a result of gun misuse. Although most New Trier students could probably care less about the signs on the front of the school doors, I think the conceal and carry law will do more harm than benefit and that there is no need for the law.

Help for the Homeless

After reading one of my fellow American Studies classmate, Charlie Bunge's, blog post entitled, "Recent Cold Snap Descends on the Homeless," my eyes were opened to the plight of the homeless. I agree with Charlie that many people our age (in high school) are excited about the extremely cold weather because it means that we get a few more days added to Winter Break. However, while we are enjoying the extended break, the extremely cold weather is taking a great toll on the homeless. I think the majority of people who live in the suburbs may not really know (or avoid thinking about) the challenges of homeless people because there is little exposure to homeless people especially in high-income areas like the North Shore.

Although most people who live in the suburbs do not see many homeless people in their area, it does not mean that they do not exist. I think one of the most important things to do during especially hard times like this for the homeless is to spread awareness. I am sure that if more people knew about the amount of homeless people in their area, they would be more willing to help.

Thinking about the poor homeless people reminds me of the amazing story of Jimmy Mirikitani the Japanese artist who lost and was separated from his family and friends in the internment camps for Japanese-Americans during WW2. I was very moved by the hardships that Mr. Mirikitani went through in his life. To be honest, I would never have given him a second look if I saw him on a street corner in NYC. The movie helped me to see that homeless people are much more than, "homeless people," they are human beings and they are in need of help. Especially now with the "polar vortex" and decisions are being made on unemployment-aid, we need to show support and imagine what a huge difference a small good deed could do to help the homeless and unemployed get back on their feet.