Principled? A massive red flag? Simply idiotic?

Two questions;

  1. Do you adopt any of the same choices around digital data, that I do (as lettered below)?
  2. Do you think there is any 'value' in sticking with 'a principle' even when you can see that it is broadly meaningless in effect?

 Choices;

  1. a) I don’t do social media.
  2. b) I avoid data collection wherever possible.
  3. c) I don’t store in the cloud.
  4. d) I avoid apps, despite knowing that they are invariably “cheaper and/or easier and/or quicker” than other means of doing 'a thing.'
  5. e) I don’t volunteer any accurate personal data, ever, unless it is officially required.
  6. f) I don’t “sign in” nor "sign-up" if that is at all possible.
  7. g) I hate visiting shops but I prefer it to online purchasing.

 These choices make things lonelier, more expensive and more inconvenient for anyone who adopts them.

My reason for these (arguably pointless and daft) choices is that I don’t want to contribute towards a centralised and automated system that chooses how to ‘target’ or ‘feed’ information and services to individual humans, because I think that it allows very effective (but subtle) control over “what happens next.” Voter manipulation and Clearview AI are two exemplars of my concerns.

I'm interested in any feedback on these questions.

Parents
  • Yes, my choices are the same as yours, except I do shop online more than going to actual shops, just because many shops I used to go to (M&S, Wilko, etc) have shut down in my area and I don't have a car and avoid using the bus.

  • Wilko's. Wollies and department stores.  I miss those places mate.  If we don't try to use some of the remaining shops, some of the time, then we will loose all of them altogether.  I think this would be bad, but I know that many futuristic people think that they are wasteful and unnecessary premises/service.

  • I really miss Wilko, I used to get so many bulbs and seeds and other assorted garddening stuff in there. I've got used to no Woolies anymore. Our M&S is mostly a food shop, they only have a few bits and bobs of clothes, mostly undies, the nesrest large on is in llanddudno which is a horrible place to get to and get around in. Nearly all the shops are in enclosed courtyards with a carpark in the middle, they give nothing away from the outside, so for all one knows walking past they could be private property.

    I do have some loyalty cards, I gave up using the Morrisons one as they kept giving me vouchers for things I never use, I think Tesco have finally got the idea of what I buy and give me coupons for the things I use, I save all my points until either I'm skint or I've got a houseful of people coming and need to stock up. Mostly though I think they have a good look at what I buy and stop selling it! They must think me incredibly boring though, they don't know I go to different shops and not just them!

    I wonder how much sites like You-Tube track what you look at?

Reply
  • I really miss Wilko, I used to get so many bulbs and seeds and other assorted garddening stuff in there. I've got used to no Woolies anymore. Our M&S is mostly a food shop, they only have a few bits and bobs of clothes, mostly undies, the nesrest large on is in llanddudno which is a horrible place to get to and get around in. Nearly all the shops are in enclosed courtyards with a carpark in the middle, they give nothing away from the outside, so for all one knows walking past they could be private property.

    I do have some loyalty cards, I gave up using the Morrisons one as they kept giving me vouchers for things I never use, I think Tesco have finally got the idea of what I buy and give me coupons for the things I use, I save all my points until either I'm skint or I've got a houseful of people coming and need to stock up. Mostly though I think they have a good look at what I buy and stop selling it! They must think me incredibly boring though, they don't know I go to different shops and not just them!

    I wonder how much sites like You-Tube track what you look at?

Children