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I’ve been reading “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” recently, and this is totally the classic case for her argument. We’ve clearly reached the point where o

I’ve been reading “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” recently, and this is totally the classic case for her argument. We’ve clearly reached the point where our utility to the technology providers has surpassed their utility to us. I have no idea why anyone would have one of those things in their home. It’s no longer a matter of the technology itself, but who is behind it and what they are doing with it. I don’t like the Bezos drives his warehouse workers like something out of a Dickens era factory horror show, but the notion that he’d like to turn me into a “consumption worker” is just too much to stomach.

sokoloff 7y ago
They’re game changing convenience items. “Alexa, play <music description>” “Alexa, set a timer for 90 seconds.” “Alexa, what’s the weather?” “Alexa, play ‘price it right’” I don’t expect I’ll order items via Alexa anytime soon, but “she” gets probably 50 interactions a day. I’m fine with the trade off.
- mathgladiator 7y ago
  Alexa, or as I say 'computer', really helps cook food with timers. I'm kind of fine with giving up privacy in exchange for useful tools.
tehjoker 7y ago
I read that book a few months ago and agree 100%. I would also add that not only is the predictive technology a way to guide and shape your life using nudges, but it also is sort of required by the logic of capitalist society. These kinds of technologies are used to accelerate consumerism, which accelerates further both production, environmental degradation, degrades working conditions, and (most importantly) further concentrates wealth in the hands of the capitalists. In capitalist society, if growth stalls, it leads to riots. The only way a capitalist society can present a face where some of the population feels like they are being taken care of is when the amount of wealth is increasing generally enough that the inequality isn't as sharply felt. Advertising, credit, and other behavioral nudges are accelerants of growth. Of course, when things break down enough, Alexa will also be able to act as an arm of the state for gathering intelligence. I look forward with horror to the day when it is installed by default into housing.

sokoloff 7y ago

They’re game changing convenience items. “Alexa, play <music description>” “Alexa, set a timer for 90 seconds.” “Alexa, what’s the weather?” “Alexa, play ‘price it right’” I don’t expect I’ll order items via Alexa anytime soon, but “she” gets probably 50 interactions a day. I’m fine with the trade off.

mathgladiator 7y ago
Alexa, or as I say 'computer', really helps cook food with timers. I'm kind of fine with giving up privacy in exchange for useful tools.

tehjoker 7y ago

I read that book a few months ago and agree 100%. I would also add that not only is the predictive technology a way to guide and shape your life using nudges, but it also is sort of required by the logic of capitalist society. These kinds of technologies are used to accelerate consumerism, which accelerates further both production, environmental degradation, degrades working conditions, and (most importantly) further concentrates wealth in the hands of the capitalists. In capitalist society, if growth stalls, it leads to riots. The only way a capitalist society can present a face where some of the population feels like they are being taken care of is when the amount of wealth is increasing generally enough that the inequality isn't as sharply felt. Advertising, credit, and other behavioral nudges are accelerants of growth. Of course, when things break down enough, Alexa will also be able to act as an arm of the state for gathering intelligence. I look forward with horror to the day when it is installed by default into housing.