VILLAR, DOMINIQUE A.

MAY 24, 2020

MEC191 THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

1. How did the Printing Press made an impact in the world? Elaborate and provide examples.
Before the invention of the Printing Press, information and ideas were not really
accessible especially to the poor, only a limited number of people have the privileged to buy
books and written materials specifically the Church and Noble people.
Through the invention of the Printing press, information became more accessible to
everyone resulting in gaining and sharing ideas. Since books and newspapers became available,
printing press developed and transformed social institutions like churches, schools, and
government as it became easier for them to accomplish their works as they require
communication with others. Moreover, with the availability of materials, people started gaining
knowledge, having different perspectives, and becoming more aware of the current issues, unlike
before the invention of printing press wherein most of the people are ignorant due to the lack or
limited access to the materials. Printing press serves as a milestone as it has a big contribution to
the life we have today, it led to different stages in our life starting with the age of exploration up
to now.
Since the materials and information became more accessible, people became more eager
to learn and seek more as we are curious in nature creating more ideas. The printing press was
also used as a powerful tool, it became material for revolution and it was used by our National
hero, Jose Rizal, to fight for the independence of our country through his writings and spreading
it. For me, newspapers are still the most accessible material for spreading information even today
as less fortunate people can have access to it.
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2. Have you encountered a person who might be in an Echo Chamber and had exhibited a
confirmation bias? If yes, explain specific actions/words that a person had said. OR If you
haven't encountered anyone - then explain Echo Chamber and Confirmation Bias and how would
you be able to identify if a person has these?
I believe that most of us already encountered someone like that, there will always be a
person that might be in an echo chamber and exhibited a confirmation bias or in short “a close-
minded person”.
That person is a friend of mine but we’re not really that close, and he is a “Die-hard
Duterte Supporter”, he is always sharing his insights on Facebook about the news that involves
the president. Obviously, this government is being incompetent, and people started being woke
as of today due to the pandemic. We all witnessed how incompetent this government is and we
are all pointing to the leader of this government, the president. But this friend of mine was still
being loyal with his “Tatay Digong”, yes, he must still be respected but still supporting him after
seeing all his shortcomings is something a really aware and woke person will not do. My friend
is still sharing and expressing his gratitude to the government or the president himself, and when
one of my friends opposed or disagreed with his posts, and showed him some pieces of
information that contains the truth about the president and this government, he still believes that
we are just being “Hater” or “Anti” even it is really visible that he is being blinded. I believe that
he is still like that since he is not still seeing and experiencing what most of us are going into
during this times, and also, he is a grandson of an ex-official in their barangay, I think it was
instilled in his mind that, whatever happens, he should always give support and gratitude to the
government as it gave them a lot of privileges. Even how hard we try for explaining and
exposing what the reality is, he will always live in his imagination that we are having the best
president and government ever.