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Did you read the article? Here's one paragraph: > In Toronto, Sidewalk sketches out a picture of a neighborhood where intelligent “pay-as-you-throw” garbage c
by unit91 8y ago
Did you read the article? Here's one paragraph:
> In Toronto, Sidewalk sketches out a picture of a neighborhood where intelligent “pay-as-you-throw” garbage chutes separate out recyclables and charge households by waste output; where hyperlocal weather sensors could detect a coming squall and heat up a snow-melting sidewalk. Apps would tell residents when the Adirondack chairs on the waterfront are open, and neighbors would crowdsource approvals for block-party permits, giving a thumbs-up or thumbs-down based on the noise the gathering was expected to produce. Traffic signals could auto-calibrate to ease pedestrian congestion during public events, or to ensure a smooth rush hour. The data from such systems would feed back into the city, which would constantly learn, optimizing its own operations from month to month, year to year. Sidewalk promises “the most measurable community in the world.”
"The most measurable community in the world". That's well beyond "smog sensors built into a few city blocks".
- darpa_escapee 8y ago> The data from such systems would feed back into the city, which would constantly learn, optimizing its own operations from month to month, year to year. All so we can better extract a profit from our u̶s̶e̶r̶s̶ citizens.
- ggggtez 8y ago1984 was about totalitarianism. You're talking about being annoyed that your garbage will be done by micropayments instead of a flat fee. If you can't see the difference then you should read up on this place called USSR.
- s2g 8y agoIf you can't see that this sort of thing is headed towards the surveillance state of 1984 then you need to wake up. There is a constant push towards more and more government and corporate surveillance.
- krageon 8y agoAny good totalitarian state implements the most ubiquitous surveillance they can. When the framework for that is already present, it becomes much easier to birth something like that. It's very easy to avoid creating a fertile breeding ground for totalitarian governance, and a factor of that's not having ubiquitous surveillance.
- forgottenpass 8y ago>neighbors would crowdsource approvals for block-party permits Oh boy, a digital HOA. Wow, Google, I can't wait!