During our lectures at the University of Nicosia, I focused intensely on conversations revolving around data. During the first lecture, we learned that life is organized by data, and no modern society can function without it. When put in perspective, everything anyone does involves data in some way. As technology becomes more advanced, the more implemented data will become in our daily lives. Though I have learned about big data before, one piece of information that was new to me was Trusted Third Parties (TTP). I thought it was interesting how, when we look at the big picture, most technology platforms involve some form of authoritative organization or individual. The centralized companies like Google and Twitter are some examples. These companies have the ability to flip the switch on people’s access to the platform and can change any value in its given data set. I also found it interesting how centralized platforms can become political and polarized, as can be seen with Twitter in recent years.
We also talked about cryptocurrency and NFT. I appreciated how the professor explained that cryptocurrency is a visual form of money that can do things other forms of money can not. Before this lecture, I never thought of it as one of the most similar forms of currency to physical cash.
However, it is because cryptocurrency can’t be taken back after it is sent, unlike many other digital forms of money. In addition, NFTs are unique because when an individual owns an NFT, it is theirs and theirs alone. In comparison, when a person owns an art piece, there is never any way of telling if it’s the authentic piece. It can also be stolen from them. For this reason, its understandable why cryptocurrency has stayed in circulation for so long, even with people’s lack of trust in it.
Later in the day, we went to UNIC’s Pharmacy Lab, where we learned many different things about the Pharmacy industry in Cyprus. I found it very interesting how much harm the industry causes to the environment. Before this site visit, I would not have considered the pharmacy industry a major environmental threat.
