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I agree with the author's assessment that we have a societal problem first and foremost. However, a key component of that societal problem is that most (99%+) d
by cherryteastain 3y ago
I agree with the author's assessment that we have a societal problem first and foremost. However, a key component of that societal problem is that most (99%+) do not care about surveillance to the degree that they would change their behavior.
Almost all my friends who use social media are aware the apps spy on them. They all have an anecdote like they were talking about X with their friend and when they scrolled Instagram/Tiktok an ad for X showed up, and they all say (unprompted) that it's creepy. When I suggest to them that maybe they should stop using Instagram etc, or at the very least use it on the website, to prevent this, the reaction invariably an excuse to keep using it. You can't tell these people to use Nextcloud or whatever over iCloud. They would never do it. The only thing that'd get them to switch is to offer more convenience/greater network events.
Benjamin Franklin's famous quote goes "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.". With tech, the same maxim applies, if you replace safety with convenience.
- splaca 3y agoBen Franklin's phrase seems to be quoted often in this kind of discussion but I haven't seen anyone explain (1) why one thinks he's right; and (2) why that would translate to tech and surveillance. Or, to be more upfront: I simply don't think blaming individual people (and deciding whether they "deserve" whatever) is very fair or productive.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- whichfawkes 3y agoThe fact is it doesn't matter what people "deserve". People who are willing to forsake some degree of convenience can be granted greater privacy by simply informing them. People who are seeking convenience will always be giving up something else. In this domain, they're often giving up privacy. A lot of people these days are essentially forced to seek convenience. They don't have the time or money to spare to do otherwise.
- fritzo 3y agoI've started mentally dividing people into (i) app addicts who share their gps location with strava/trailforks and (ii) luddites whom I can invite to hike/bike on www invisible trails. EDIT 'addicts' is indeed a strong word, but how else can I say "they feel bad when they don't turn on tracking"?
- chaosmonger7 3y ago[dead]