Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. regain (v.) [ree-geyn] – to get back something
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. regain (v.) [ree-geyn] – to get back something
Example: The company wants to
increase its advertising to regain sales
in the market.
2. commit (v.) [kuh-mit] – to do something, usually one that is bad or against the law
2. commit (v.) [kuh-mit] – to do something, usually one that is bad or against the law
Example: Under the law, heavy
penalties will be given to anyone who commits
a crime.
3. vault (n.) [vawlt] – a place where things with value are kept
Example: Some keep their photos in a
flash drive, which acts as a vault.
4. upload (v.) [uhp-lohd] – to put information on the internet
4. upload (v.) [uhp-lohd] – to put information on the internet
Example: People like to upload photos of their vacations on
their Facebook accounts.
5. download (v.) [doun-lohd] – to take information from internet
Example: The students downloaded the files sent by their teacher
through email.
Article
Read the text below.
People keep a lot of digital content online, but not many people think about what would happen to their information when they die.
For those who die
unexpectedly, their online data are left unmanaged, and concerned family
members may have difficulty regaining control
of the content from large Internet corporations.
One such case is of
Benjamin Stassen, a 21-year-old college student who committed suicide. Benjamin’s parents wish to access his Facebook
account, which may have clues as to why he took his life. But they cannot easily
get access because Benjamin, like all Facebook users, signed a user agreement
that makes Facebook the owner of the account’s content.
In another case, the
34-year-old Mac Tonnies, who suddenly died in his sleep in 2009, left behind
the well-followed blog “Post-Human Blues.”
Unfortunately, over
time, Mac’s blog has become filled with spam comments. Mac’s family has tried
contacting the blog host, Google, hoping to be able to clean up the blog, but
they have been unsuccessful.
To solve such
problems, some companies offer digital vaults
where consumers can upload files
and passwords. After a consumer’s death, these companies distribute or
destroy the files according to the consumer’s instructions.
Others find their
own ways to try solving the problem. Mac’s friend, web developer Mark
Plattner, used a program to download
all the content of Mac’s blog. The content was then uploaded on another site where
it can be better cared for. According to Plattner, it would be a good idea
for people to already start planning on what digital memories they hope to
leave behind.
|
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you worry
about what will happen to your online data if you suddenly pass away? Why or
why not?
·
Should online
companies help family members access the account of a user who passes away? Please
explain your answer.
Discussion B
·
Would you say
that your online activities or data show a lot of who you are? Please explain
further.
·
What kind of
memory of you would you like people to have in the future?