The mapping of our daily lives as 'Surplus Behavioral Data'. Zuboff demystifies the lofty initial promises of the internet, which were rapidly sequestered by the Silicon Valley, big corporations, the state and public institutions. That Metaverse, AI, Chat GPT, Smart Homes etc are not just dazzling new frontiers aimed at the public, but contrary, comparable to an "unilateral claiming" (colonization) of private human experience.
"Discovery of Behavioral Surplus" (Zuboff). Like earlier forms of colonization (geographic, linguistic, cultural etc) SBD also introduces its own distinct laws of motion, of conquest and control. Behavior and response too can be colonized and subverted to serve economies of scale and scope. Our behavioral modification is synonymous with the proliferation of surveillance capitalism and artificial intelligence.
Dr. John after Hiroshima and Nagasaki civilian deaths thanks to warfare impacted our psyche. Mega Death by bomb or delivery system arose like a yawn after passionate sex. From little death to total death basically an eye blink and affirmation. 1945 to 2020 A.D. is merely 75 years of human existence. Many alive now are descendants of those survivors. All of us living die. We did not die from atomic war. We die from lies. If lucky, old age.
I doubt that the power to kill others would be so highly prized if it were less profitable (for those who get the DoD contracts). What if the top 2% of Americans had to pay ALL the taxes, & were barred from profiting in any way from owning our "defense" industry--say, because that entire industry were nationalized & funded solely via taxes?
The ppl who greatly outnumber those who get to profit, of course. The Q is: how to get the truth out to them/de-propagandize them, so they'll act in their own best interests for a change.
The majority of people are followers. We are probably this way for a good reason.
There comes a time, though rarely, when the followers change who/what they follow, likein 1968, after the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.
If some of us set a good and steady example in stressful times like these, people may remember it, as they become deeply dissatisfied with the lies and killing.
Ithink that is exactly how Gandhi prevailed as the British Empire weakened in India.
Thank you for your articles - much appreciate your work. Blessings to you & Jenny - btw - what time is dinner :-)
Dinner is when you hear, "Come and get it!"
Hi John
The mapping of our daily lives as 'Surplus Behavioral Data'. Zuboff demystifies the lofty initial promises of the internet, which were rapidly sequestered by the Silicon Valley, big corporations, the state and public institutions. That Metaverse, AI, Chat GPT, Smart Homes etc are not just dazzling new frontiers aimed at the public, but contrary, comparable to an "unilateral claiming" (colonization) of private human experience.
"Discovery of Behavioral Surplus" (Zuboff). Like earlier forms of colonization (geographic, linguistic, cultural etc) SBD also introduces its own distinct laws of motion, of conquest and control. Behavior and response too can be colonized and subverted to serve economies of scale and scope. Our behavioral modification is synonymous with the proliferation of surveillance capitalism and artificial intelligence.
Good insights, but I think "synonymous with" is not quite the right terminology.
"Enabled by" fits better
Dr. John after Hiroshima and Nagasaki civilian deaths thanks to warfare impacted our psyche. Mega Death by bomb or delivery system arose like a yawn after passionate sex. From little death to total death basically an eye blink and affirmation. 1945 to 2020 A.D. is merely 75 years of human existence. Many alive now are descendants of those survivors. All of us living die. We did not die from atomic war. We die from lies. If lucky, old age.
I doubt that the power to kill others would be so highly prized if it were less profitable (for those who get the DoD contracts). What if the top 2% of Americans had to pay ALL the taxes, & were barred from profiting in any way from owning our "defense" industry--say, because that entire industry were nationalized & funded solely via taxes?
Who's gonna bell that cat?
These are the bosses who serve the owners.
:-o
The ppl who greatly outnumber those who get to profit, of course. The Q is: how to get the truth out to them/de-propagandize them, so they'll act in their own best interests for a change.
Forcing others to change is what the "owners" do.
Working to change oneself is what Gandhi advised.
The majority of people are followers. We are probably this way for a good reason.
There comes a time, though rarely, when the followers change who/what they follow, likein 1968, after the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.
If some of us set a good and steady example in stressful times like these, people may remember it, as they become deeply dissatisfied with the lies and killing.
Ithink that is exactly how Gandhi prevailed as the British Empire weakened in India.