We take it for granted that since 9/11 the government collects all kinds of information on us. Virtually all telephone conversations and text messages are filtered for information.
A bevy of judges on call will rubber stamp any request for bank records and a full in depth investigation of all aspects of your life. Hell, the cops can download your life stroy from your iPhone or iPad without a warrant.
You can try to live off the grid, use only cash and live a minimalist lifestyle, but then they’ll assume you have something to hide and they’ll keep you on their radar.
The tropical fish in my fish tanks have more privacy. At least they have some quality time alone at night when the lights go out.
This kind of government-snooping-gone-out-of-control film is popular lately. Nobody trusts the government, and it’s not hard to imagine bureaucrats abusing their authority. Actually, the government is relatively benign in this new information game. At least they have rules and oversight and accountability, even if it is full of holes.
The private sector is a whole nother ball of wax. Google keeps track of every search you ever do. Haven’t you noticed google’s uncanny ability to anticipate your search parameters? iPhones and iPads have a GPS chip that keeps track of wherever you go.
Amazon keeps track of all your purchases. Netflix knows about your movie interests. All these people collect information without any oversight whatsoever. You put all that information together, and Big Business knows you better than your own mother.
Would you trust an anonymous caller who texted you messages that saved your life then later made you millions? Would you follow their every instruction thereafter? Probably.
People spend more time interacting via smart phone and messaging than they do in face to face interactions. We don’t need body language to give messages context. Hollywood has taught us that the only thing we need to trust another person is sizzling sex in an exotic hotel room. Problem solved.
Information is power in our simplistic world. Information is profit in the perception of business. Pharmaceutical companies buy prescription histories from Walgreens and Kmart so they can see which physicians don’t like generic drugs.
Big Pharma doesn’t need your permission to do this. The Fortune 500 companies all use this kind of raw data to fine tune their promotional campaigns, to tunnel their way into your subconscious mind, to overcome your natural resistance to fast talking salesman.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
