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“This is the kind of surveillance that people can actually like. There’s satellites up there not only to spy on us, but to help us lead better lives.”
— Marcel Salathé, head of the Digital Epidemiology Lab at Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on using satellite photographs to correlate obesity and environment.
Oh, fuck off Marcel.
As C.S. Lewis said: “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive…”
*
I am no technophobe.
The newspaper I work for was the first paper in Oregon to have a website. I’m (obviously) an active blogger and have developed many relationships that I value greatly that started and exist almost entirely in cyberspace. As a historian, having the world’s archives literally at my fingertips is inestimably valuable, and I love being able to read old, obscure journals and memoirs on my Kindle for 99 cents when I’d have to pay hundreds of dollars to access them in rare used copies or limited run reprints.
But technology is, like fire or government, a dangerous servant and a fearful master. And what worries me is that we are becoming increasingly indifferent to any distinction between the two. And the insidious notion that we’re surrendering more and more space in our lives to intrusive technology for our own benefit galls me on a cellular level.
Of course government surveillance is for our own good — to protect us from criminals, or terrorists, or (somehow) from making ourselves fat. And giant corporations only collect our data so that they can sell us things we really, really want. Of course. What’s to worry about?
The new feature, announced by Amazon (last week) alongside new devices including a microwave and a wall clock at an event in Seattle, is one of several upgrades that will expand the virtual assistant’s ability to listen to and understand the world around it. Alexa will able to confer with you in whispers before the end of the year, making Amazon’s voice-operated assistant less awkward to use when someone is, say, sleeping nearby. Amazon will also make its assistant capable of listening for trouble such as breaking glass or a smoke alarm when you’re away from home, a feature called Alexa Guard.
Meanwhile, inside Amazon’s labs, the company is experimenting with giving Alexa a rudimentary form of emotional awareness, enabling it to listen for the sound of frustration in a person’s voice.
“We’re going beyond recognizing words,” says Rohit Prasad, the vice president who heads work on the artificial intelligence inside Alexa’s guts.
Talk sexy to me, Alexa!
There’s also evidence that some consumers are wary of advances in the ability of devices like the Echo to listen to them. “Privacy concerns have already been a barrier to adoption,” says Werner Goertz, a research director at analyst Gartner. “The industry’s efforts have not been sufficient to remove this misapprehension.” Goertz spoke to WIRED after disabling the Alexa installed in his hotel room to stop it from hearing its name and butting into the conversation.
The frustration-detection feature Amazon is testing in the lab illustrates the tension between using AI to improve functionality, and privacy. For some consumers, Amazon knowing about their feelings in addition to their purchases and music choices might seem a step too far.
You think?
*
In the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, some of my conservative friends dismissed my criticisms of the so-called Patriot Act. Understandably shaken by the scale and ferocity of the attacks, they believed that the government had to have the power and authority to do whatever was necessary to protect the citizens of the United States. And, they argued, they didn’t have anything to hide, so they didn’t have anything to worry about. That outlook didn’t sit too well with their Don’t Tread On Me Flag.
In 2003 there was an uproar — not a big enough one if you ask me — about the U.S. government’s Total Information Awareness program, which was a massive undertaking to capture and collate just about everything about everybody (as the name implies) to sift through it in the hunt for terrorists. In order to tamp down the furor, the program was renamed Terrorism Information Awareness, which totally fixed it.
There was a little bitty scandal when it came out that TIA’s honcho Admiral John Poindexter (of Iran-Contra notoriety) thought we should let the market’s mass predictive ability work the problem, rewarding “investors” who correctly predicted terrorist acts. That seemed gauche, apparently.
TIA got reined in a bit, though its capabilities mainly just folded up under the National Security Administration. Thanks to Edward Snowden (whatever one thinks of his actions) we got a very detailed glimpse of the extent of surveillance the NSA engages in, including surveillance of Americans. Shockingly, government officials were less than forthcoming about this.
In 2013, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon asked Director of National Intelligence James Clapper:
“Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions, or hundreds of millions, of Americans?”
Clapper said no. That was a lie. Of course Clapper has, for the past five years, lied about lying, but that’s just how they roll in his line of work.
*
The massive opportunity to glean from data, an opportunity that our day-to-day activities create, is getting weirder fast. China is instituting a system of “social credit” that sounds like something out of a dystopian science fiction novel:
It’s been in the pipeline for years: a sprawling, technological mass surveillance network the likes of which the world has never seen. And it’s already been switched on.
China’s “Social Credit System”– which is expected to be fully operational by 2020 – doesn’t just monitor the nation’s almost 1.4 billion citizens. It’s also designed to control and coerce them, in a gigantic social engineering experiment that some have called the “gamification of trust”.
That’s because the massive project, which has been slowly coming together for over a decade, is about assigning an individual trust score to each and every citizen, and to businesses too.
According to China’s Communist Party, the system will “allow the trustworthy to roam freely under heaven while making it hard for the discredited to take a single step.”
Science Alert reports that:
For positive personal and social acts – such as paying bills on time, engaging in charity, and properly sorting your recycling – citizens get their score bumped up, which gives them access to perks, like better credit facilities, cheaper public transport, and even shorter wait times for hospital services.
But if you break the rules, beware. People who are late with payments, or caught jaywalking or smoking in non-smoking areas, will be punished.
In what’s being described as a “digital dictatorship,” their score takes a hit for each infraction, meaning they incur things like financial penalties and even travel restrictions.
That’s what happened to investigative journalist Liu Hu, who says the social credit system destroyed his career after he was blacklisted for making accusations of government corruption.
Branded “dishonest,” he had access to rail travel suspended, and his social media accounts – comprising some 2 million followers – were reportedly shut down, effectively making his job impossible.
Welcome to the future.
I know for sure that there are control freaks in the U.S. — hell, in my own hometown — who get aroused by the power to do good, all that pro-social behavior, that such a system could bring. The only thing that stands between them and achieving a utopia of surveillance-and-control-to-bring-us-better-lives is the legal constraints that inhere in the Constitution. We should be demanding of every candidate for office their position — in detail — on surveillance programs, their understanding of the Forth Amendment (and the First and Second, too — hell all of ’em) and judge them accordingly.
And we should each of us think long and hard about the ways we enable the surveillance culture, the ways in which we grant permission and entry to the most intrusive technologies in history.
One thing for sure: I don’t care if Alexa can answer back in the voice Michelle Pfeiffer, I ain’t talking to her. Ever.
I’ve never been an off-the-gridder but I’ve been thinking we need to roll back the knobs on some of these aspects lately, too.
The idea that they are moving from reactive requests from consumer to proactive, unrequested surveillance and emotional analysis is disturbing, to say the least.
Matthew says
The thing about Alexa is you don’t actually need it. You can just look up whatever you need on your computer or phone. It’s an unnecessary device with more potential downsides than up. So why have one in your house?
We are clearly not the cool kids.
Matthew says
The cool kids never impressed me.
J.F. Bell says
Eh. I put my stake in the ground a few years back. I’d advanced about as far as I wanted so far as shiny new technologies were concerned and decided I’d go no further.
Remember when instead of instant connection via phone or internet people had answering machines? And if you called and nobody was home you left messages and they got back to you eventually? Remember before that when nobody had answering machines?
I grudgingly hang onto my cell phone for the same reason I have a carry permit and fire extinguisher. The internet is an indoor toy that stays rooted to the house. Sometimes I go a couple of days without checking…I usually haven’t missed much. People who ought to know me better say I need a smart phone.
Like hell.
I don’t need smart technology. I don’t need a twitter account or an instagram of any of that other bread-and-circus shit. My life is not sufficiently airbushed and awesome enough that the world needs to track my daily adventures. I sure don’t need any listening device of dubious origin lurking in my house, whispering to the feds, or maxing out my credit card. Technology is my servant, not my friend, and I permit it only so long as it proves useful.
…although I do have to admit, I take a certain smug luddite joy in watching distracted smartphone users walk into obstructions. Or into oncoming traffic.
Then again, I also harbor a curmudgeon’s hope that sooner or later we’ll have a fine hard winter and eat the do-gooders and the social influencers, so…take that for what it’s worth.
That’s really good. Haven’t seen it framed quite that way, and it hits an important point: A lot of people really feel a sense of “relationship” with technology. AI will exacerbate that trend, methinks. Robot sex and all..
“And the insidious notion that we’re surrendering more and more space in our lives to intrusive technology for our own benefit galls me on a cellular level.”
I’m with you.
“some of my conservative friends dismissed my criticisms of the so-called Patriot Act. Understandably shaken by the scale and ferocity of the attacks, they believed that the government had to have the power and authority to do whatever was necessary to protect the citizens of the United States. ”
Not all of us. I know you said “some”; I just want to emphasize that. And I think the attacks we’ve seen over the last few years demonstrate just how well it works. Or rather, doesn’t work.
“I ain’t talking to her. Ever.” Me neither.
The social credit stuff in China is pretty terrifying. I completely agree that we need to grill all politicians, whether they currently hold office or not, on how they stand on the Constitution. And hold them accountable.
Yep. The conservatives who are not “my party right or wrong” were onto this from the git-go.
I put principle above party. I studied enough history to know what comes from doing things the reverse way.
Also disturbing is the willingness of American companies to be complicit in the behavior of nations like China in their efforts to identify, censor, and incarcerate anyone with a non-party point of view. Particularly the tech companies. China makes a terrific test bed, one presumes, and because they are entirely unscrupulous about their bottom line they have no problem at all working with totalitarians and authoritarians of any stripe to keep shareholders happy. We are entering a very dangerous phase…the presumption of innocence is disappearing before our eyes this morning in the Kavanaugh Senate hearing, and a man’s home is, in most places, no longer his castle. And more than half of America seems to be fine with it. They are killing the constitution rapidly, replacing it with the whims of “policy”, and when it is finally brought to its knees the little folks will have no protections left. A strong argument could be made that that is already the case. I hope that makes the pro-socials happy. And I suppose it does, which is why I find them to be short-sighted, far too smug, and extremely dangerous.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/26/google-keith-enright-dodges-china-questions-senate-privacy-hearing.html
Matthew says
I remember when the internet was suppose to bring down various tyrannies including China with the free exchange of information. It might have too, if the tech oligarchs did give in to China’s demands.
Freedom is a bullwhip, snap it wrong and it will double-back and take your eye out. We are seeing it happen.
Freedom is a bullwhip, snap it wrong and it will double-back and take your eye out.
Also viral and t‑shirt worthy.
You are spot-on.
It keeps getting better too: https://theintercept.com/2018/09/26/airport-facial-recognition-flight-delay/
One of the things we have discussed ad infinitum in RIR is the problem with convenience. It is on full display here: As the success of biometric-reliant line-skipping services — like TSA Pre-Check and Clear — have shown, many flyers are happy to swap their irreplaceable biometrics in the name of convenience
Convenience is a killer.
Another t‑shirt.
Saddle Tramp says
“some of my conservative friends dismissed my criticisms of the so-called Patriot Act. Understandably shaken by the scale and ferocity of the attacks, they believed that the government had to have the power and authority to do whatever was necessary to protect the citizens of the United States. ”
Yes, Jim and Keith…
I did attend the BISBEE ‘17 film last night with a Q&A with the filmmaker afterwards moderated by the Director of the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program. For me the essence of it was the rationale given under a “Law Of Necessity” action ultimately carried out by a Sheriff and 2,000 deputized citizens of Bisbee to deport 1,200 striking miners without any other due process of law. It’s a complex story and the justification for fomenting a strike is complex as well as are the reasons for the deportation. This is a very worthwhile film as it deals with real citizens of Bisbee many who had family members affected by it. I think everyone here at FP would see this as a worthwhile (albeit unusual) documentary film if given the chance to see it through. It surprised me as I had many doubts going in about it carrying any real weight or the way it might be presented. It’s not so much about hitting you over the head as it is about getting into your head. It has authenticity in another way. There are some very credible people in this that take it both ways. Scarily we could be headed for a much larger version of it again.
Now regarding surveillance and it’s many inroads. If you have ever been through a Border Patrol checkpoint you know this already. For several years I went from Phoenix delivering to San Diego or Oceanside 3 times a week and running I‑8 from Gila Bend on over. When you go into most BP checkpoints there is a mind boggling array of cameras and sensors scanning you and then the questioning or possible inspection that can follow. Truck scales use similar technologies as you see a flash when they take a photo and scan your license plate just as one example. You become inured to it as a necessity to do business. They are in control not you. Of course it too has it’s rationale that appears to be inarguably justified. I also did a dedicated run from L.A. to El Paso for quite some time so it has become routine for me to be exposed to it along the border. Also, when I did my Big Circle Road Trip personal vacation a few years ago I went from Calexico up through Yuma, down through Organ Pipe National Monument, over through Bisbee, Douglas and then up to Rodeo, NM and then over to Columbus, NM. I then went up to Silver City, NM basing out of there for a week before heading up north. Lots of BP checkpoints in other words. My point is not to take a right or wrong position, but rather to reinforce Jim’s opening cautionary words. The mechanisms are in place for wide scale abuses if so desired or employed of Biblical proportions. In Bisbee ‘17 you see deputized citizens given a list of undesirables or strikers to go after in the Bisbee deportation of 1917. One such deputy had to go get his own brother. They never saw each other again. This is powerfully brought out in the film. It wasn’t until recently that that a list of the deportees was uncovered. This film has much merit whether or not it is fully conclusive or not. We could be a hairbreadth away from another law of necessity to come along and they now have many more means in place to enforce it. I hope the hell not, but Michael Moore’s (like him or not) most recent film reminds us of that possibility as well. Is Alexa and her cohorts just another tattletale for fascism and the tyranny of surveillance? Jim answered that well. As for me I have thought to myself for some time now as I became more and more aware of the intrusion that even [G]od is not watching us this close. Remember it all starts out as a law of necessity or in Alexa’s case being overlords to laziness and intrusion…
Great and timely post Jim.
And yeah… Fuck off Marcel !!!!
Thanks ST. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments. Glad to hear that Bisbee 17 is worthwhile. It’s an important and almost unknown story. The mania for “making us safe” has created our own chains. Safety is always the “rationale that appears to be inarguably justified.”
Saddle Tramp says
Jim,
I would say that BISBEE ‘17 is a must see film, in spite of some if it’s awkward moments of presentation. But it is real and has some highly authentic participants which is what has sold me on the value of it. The message it carries for either side of the issue is what matters. This is a real good example of our current standoff. Inevitable human nature at play still and always. Build a fort or build a bridge? We will see.
By the way, Kindles don’t get moldy but old RAMPARTS MAGAZINES do. Both that I bought are. I am employing a method I came up with when I bought an old huge and unsusual dictionary at an Amarillo estate sale years ago.I am carefully treating it with Baking Soda. It worked them and I am hoping it does again. A little musty is ok, but I do have my limits. There are selective things I prefer in original hard copy as touchstones as well as my preferred media. It is pricey. I feel though that it is part of a sacred ritual too ingrained in me to give up completely. I do use the hell out of digital and that has magnified my research and intake immeasurably. I use the best of both worlds when it suits me. Musty old books or magazines or definitely more secure. My desires would definitely break the bank if I were not selective. Touchstones I can actually touch still matter. My oldest daughter agrees whereas my youngest son is still trying to convert me. I am no Luddite, but don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. I am afraid we are out of control (me included) as evidenced by my RIR, BC & FP addiction and hell the Trading Post has not even opened yet, unless I missed it’s grand opening.
“Convenience Kills” now that’s marketable…
Agree. Could go viral…
Steven Frankum says
Cool piece Jim. While I’m not preoccupied with being survailed, I just don’t want no need a ‘Alexa’ or use a ‘Syri’…Shit, I and millions more have half served ourselves up on a platter I think by engaging in ‘Social media’ like Facebook and a Twitter…Technology is benign; it can be used for good or ill purposes by us, our governments…but I totally agree with Craig Rullman, it’s a real bullwhip to wield…take it from a tenderfoot who litterally split a gash in my lovehandle fucking around with a buckaroo whip…true story
Traven Torsvan says
If the American healthcare system wasn’t dystopian enough, health insurance companies have been implementing Fitbit requirements (don’t make the required number of steps, you get a massive fine). West Virginia forced that on teachers there which was one of the reasons behind that amazing wildcat strike a few months ago.
I hadn’t heard that. Just… no.
Saddle Tramp says
Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 11/9 goes into this extensively demonstrating solidarity among teachers in W. Virginia and overturning that policy and not acquiescing to the Governor or Union leaders with their other demands as well. They also held out for janitors and lunch workers going against the grain. It shows how a breaking point was reached. The governor ate crow and had to smile while doing it. I try to never be quick to a conclusion, but enough is enough!! This film shows much of that. Not all will agree with all of it no doubt, but there’s plenty to be concerned about. Glad you mentioned this Traven…
deuce says
“In the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, some of my conservative friends dismissed my criticisms of the so-called Patriot Act. Understandably shaken by the scale and ferocity of the attacks, they believed that the government had to have the power and authority to do whatever was necessary to protect the citizens of the United States. And, they argued, they didn’t have anything to hide, so they didn’t have anything to worry about.”
I had this same conversation with some of my relatives at the time. That attitude is never the answer.
This giving up of all privacies for a little more convenience and less work is an abomination.
“I know for sure that there are control freaks in the U.S. — hell, in my own hometown — who get aroused by the power to do good, all that pro-social behavior, that such a system could bring.”
Once again, Tolkien’s concept of the One Ring is prescient.
Damn! You’re reading my mind. I’m working Tolkien and his conception of power into sdomething that will either appear here or in The Nugget as an op-ed — or both.
lane batot says
One comforting thing to me, in all this modern technological control and compliance that has infected most of the overly domesticated societies of the planet, is the secret world that goes on all around it, mostly invisible(though tantalizing bits of it do show up here and there in security cameras now and then.….)Even in the most urban of environments, all manner of WILD(free) animals lurk and make their living–coyotes perhaps being the supreme example of this new adaptability and survival. They have no conception of HOW their bipedal primate competitors manage certain things–it must appear like virtual magic of some sort to them–but they learn enough to figure out how to avoid, side-step, and foil most of it–mainly by simply being alert and elusive. Shaping their lives in the interstices of human schedules, roaming the streets in the wee hours. Coyote is INDEED a hero trickster for our times–one to EMULATE!!!!
Saw a couple of coyotes this morning. One in a fight with a crow over a deer carcass on the side of the road. The other trotting through an alfalfa field. Starting to hair up and looking good.