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
  • 1. I do have a social media account, but I seldom use it. For as long as I've had it, I have opted to restrict who can view my posts and photos.
    2. I try to avoid data collection, but this has only really been within the past 10 to 15 years.
    3. I don't store in the cloud either, as I'm not entirely sure that I trust it.
    4. As I don't own a smartphone, the use of apps doesn't apply to me.
    5. I only provide accurate personal data if it is officially required, or I trust the person (i.e. friend/relative)
    6. I don't "sign in" or "sign up" if possible either.
    7. I dislike visiting shops. For convenience, I will order items online.

  • Hi Sparkly - good to see you.

    With reference to your [point 2], the timing of your decision is interesting to me.  Believe it or not, I was an AVID early adopter of tech, gadgets, computers, software etc........until circa 2004-2006.  Before that date, I was MORE than happy to spend money BUYING things to use, because there was no catch, and it was useful and helpful to me.  I bought it, I owned it, I had control of it = ALL good.

    When Google Earth first came out (I first saw it in 2005) I was amazed.........how the hell was that FREE?  The most amazing and coolest computer-based thing that I had ever seen at that moment was Google Earth......but it was free?  Who had paid to get it done?  How could they give it for free? etc.  Then, it started to become impossible to simply "buy" software to use - in standalone form.  This bothered me, and still does.  Basically - if it's free, YOU are the product - is one of my hard to shake mantras.  People generally seem not to mind this.....whereas I do.

    I'm deciding whether I should "soften my heart" to some of this stuff, and start becoming a product for consumption.....that is why I started this thread.....to see what the mood of my kin is.

    Thanks for posting.

Reply
  • Hi Sparkly - good to see you.

    With reference to your [point 2], the timing of your decision is interesting to me.  Believe it or not, I was an AVID early adopter of tech, gadgets, computers, software etc........until circa 2004-2006.  Before that date, I was MORE than happy to spend money BUYING things to use, because there was no catch, and it was useful and helpful to me.  I bought it, I owned it, I had control of it = ALL good.

    When Google Earth first came out (I first saw it in 2005) I was amazed.........how the hell was that FREE?  The most amazing and coolest computer-based thing that I had ever seen at that moment was Google Earth......but it was free?  Who had paid to get it done?  How could they give it for free? etc.  Then, it started to become impossible to simply "buy" software to use - in standalone form.  This bothered me, and still does.  Basically - if it's free, YOU are the product - is one of my hard to shake mantras.  People generally seem not to mind this.....whereas I do.

    I'm deciding whether I should "soften my heart" to some of this stuff, and start becoming a product for consumption.....that is why I started this thread.....to see what the mood of my kin is.

    Thanks for posting.

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