Reverse Darwinism
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how some people seem to be completely apathetic when it comes to their online privacy. I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to adopt a fully libre lifestyle, using only free and open-source software and self-hosting everything. However, having some basic awareness and common sense about how big tech tracks and sells our data is essential in today’s digital age.
It’s surprising to see how many people are oblivious to the fact that their data is being collected and sold. Some people don’t even know their own email address and instead rely on the “Sign in with Google” option for every service they use. I’ve had people approach me, asking for their email address as if I’m some kind of all-knowing email god (I do actually sometimes remember their email, or if not, I just direct them to where they can find it on their phone).
Even small actions, like declining those annoying cookie popups instead of approving them, can make a significant difference. It’s astonishing to see people who are aware of adblockers like uBlock, yet choose not to use them. It’s concerning to think about how humanity has become so complacent when it comes to securing ourselves online. This really reminds me of the game franchise Half-Life and their Combine system of authority. If you haven’t played Half-Life (which you should), the Combine are a race of aliens that came to Earth to cull it of its oceans and enslave humanity. I’m not comparing this to how Google tracks you and sells your data, because I don’t think they’re draining our Earth of its oceans (yet). I’m just saying that currently, what tech overlord companies are doing feels a lot like what the Combine do in those games – watching their consumers, monitoring everything they think about, everything they dream about, and everything they search for.
TLDR: We’ve placed an alarming amount of trust in big tech, and it’s starting to feel dystopian.
What’s even more puzzling is that some people do know how to secure themselves and maintain a more private online presence, yet they choose not to. The reasons behind this are unclear to me. Is it due to laziness, ignorance about the potential risks, or something else entirely? Only time will tell.
- SMALL NOTE: While correcting grammar mistakes, I decided to throw what I wrote into GPTZero and see what results it gives me. Looks like I’m 24% Human, 3% Mixed, and 73% AI. If the AI revolution ever comes and the Terminators start killing people, just note that I’m one of those AIs :troll:
Fact of the slug (FOTS):
- Did you know that the concept of “privacy” as we understand it today is relatively new? The term “right to privacy” was first coined in a famous 1890 Harvard Law Review article by Samuel D. Warren and Louis D. Brandeis. They argued that individuals have a right to be left alone and to control their personal information, especially in the face of emerging technologies like photography and the press. This article laid the groundwork for modern privacy laws and discussions about personal rights in the digital age!
