Posted from under my bed: Totalitarianism rools, OK! Don’t see any way around it, given the politics of fear combined with the ever-more extensive collection and storage of data subject to interpretation by ever-more sophisticated programs.
Alternatively, doesn’t it give you a cosy feeling to know that the Powers That Be are doing such a good job of protecting us from all that bad stuff out there? Especially when we know these Powers are so enlightened and so consistently benign. So I’ll just post this link and my comments here and on Facebook too, why not? Let’s give Big Data an early chance to record and ruminate over these sentiments. Wait a minute… What’s that outside my window? …
Simple paranoia? Maybe not. Check out this video from The Atlantic‘s website.
Bradley K. Martin likes this.
Peter Lenderink But is the camera good enough for photographing kids or sports action?
15 hours ago · Like
Collin Piprell Ah, that’s the question. Are you suggesting that Big Data and The Powers Etc. could generate extra income by taking commissions for baby photos and Junior A shots? Good idea.
15 hours ago · Like · 1
Kevin S. Cummings Not surprising. The very first time someone demo’d Google Earth for me it was by a young 20’s geek who proudly zoomed in on some green plants in his backyard – they of the odd numbered leaf variation. It made me wonder why our local Sheriff’s office was spending so much money on helicopter surveillance at the time…
11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Tom Tuohy Colin, you see any reds while under that bed of yours!? ): Maybe Dostoeksky’s Underground Man isn’t far away either! He he!
10 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Have a look at this: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/02/like-a-swarm-of-lethal-bugs-the-most-terrifying-drone-video-yet/273270/.
These critters, or devices much like them, have appeared in sci-fi stories for quite some time. But it’s chilling to realize how close they are to being part of the scene here in what passes for the real world.
The gung-ho voiceover dude and his scriptwriters, like the advocates of drones and other warbots in general, seem to ignore two salient points: 1) the enemy, whoever that might be, will soon have similar devices at their disposal, and then you’re into a Red Queen race for superiority; and 2) inevitably, civilians in the home country will become targeted, most of them no doubt criminals, including terrorists of various ilk; the interesting question will be, at any given time: what qualifies as “criminal” or “terrorist,” and who’s doing the defining?