Technocrats and ease: bureaucracy and more difficulty.
The digital community is so engrossed in the ease of living. Technology has advanced so fast enabling the youth to develop in comforting attire. The close aids of the internet and cell phones has brought the global world closer. It has also provided simplicity in living. Paying for goods with a bank card or purchasing a bus ticket on an app. The ease of technology also fuels a fear of latent control by nefarious means. A danger that is often overlooked in the presence of comfort.
Recently, a video popped up about an Australian bank going digital. While this may sound futuristic and cool to youngsters it is has a whole host of problems. The first being older folk who are incapable of operating technology. The elderly as well as middle aged adults are foreign to this concept. Many do not carry around credit cards and even those who do prefer to shop in person. There is a disconnect between the youth immersion in digital culture and the adults who cannot keep up. The homeless, those who live in remote areas or backwater communities may not have the digital access. Just because a bank goes digital doesn’t mean everyone has the means to do so. It creates an asymmetry between citizen and government. The bank holds their money and yet they have no way of purchasing. An elderly individual could pick up a bank card but it won’t help if they do not understand how much they are paying (though many youngsters also struggle with this). Another issue is privacy. Hackers can easily steal private information and money which happened recently with little compensation. The bank didn’t even realise the fault until months later. Digital currency puts everyone’s money openly on the web for the taking. It not only hurts those unfamiliar with the concept but puts everyone at risk.
Such an example also occurred today. My wife was unable to enter the weight room because her face had never been scanned. The face scanner guy wasn’t coming in till ten. Her frustration resonated with a lack of sleep and an expectation foiled. Having to wait to use the weight room because there was a miscommunication for someone to get their face scanned. Yet beyond such logistical failures, the face scan is a technological imperfection. If it doesn’t work one cannot get inside. Not only is the face cam on the door of the weight room but on the front door as well. If the door is locked and the face cam doesn’t work, you’d better hope there is someone at the front desk because there is no way one is getting in. For an apartment complex it is quite high on security. Though it is seemingly trivial to spend so much money on scanning when a key would do the trick or even a code. The obvious pitfalls have already been experienced and it calls into question the efficacy of such fancy utility just to save a few seconds. When it doesn’t work there is no safety net. The overt reliance is not just a bureaucratic nightmare but a night out in the cold.
The youthful attitude towards technology is simplicity of its utility. Only paying with credit card is so easy. The discomfort to put in any effort. To swipe a card carelessly instead of walking over to the ATM to pull out cash to then spend a few minutes waiting in line. Fast pace high octane digital society wishes to move at the speed of light. Why wait? People have places to go and people to see. Why spend hours scouring through a book when the internet can search it quicker. Why write a research paper when artificial intelligence can do it for you. Control over time and able to manoeuvre swiftly. Technology truly has simplified life subverting to servitude. Technology works for humans. The further spread to the advancements the more optimal results. Who wishes to return to the grinding archaic ages of old. Yet with all the booming enlightenment is still fears of control. Data can be stolen and technology erased. Life is eased but also placed in the limelight. It is placed in a dangerous public sphere for anyone with the skill to grab at it. Too invested in the joy of simplicity that the dangers are ignored.
Where the line is drawn is indeterminate. What is too much technology? What is too far? The issue isn’t whether life is too easy. Psychologists can experiment how such ease affects society. Moreover the issue is a political step into the abyss of slavery. Digitalising only provides more access to governments and media companies. It places more and more emphasis on governmental regulation and dedication to ensuring its own agenda. Digital power is placing the anonymity and ignorance in the immaterial world. To take just one example from the previous year, Bill Gates' digital ID is an artificial intelligence that assists the government in connecting with citizens. While it may sound easy and hip as it reminds and acknowledges human pitfalls, it is a mindless system attempting to control your life. It may sound good but it is a manipulative trick. It is efficient but it also has a nefarious network. Biometric scanning ascertains the legitimacy. It can receive a passport or pay taxes. Protects credentials and supports the citizenry. Though beyond the imperfections of the technology itself and what could go awry is also those who are pushing the charge. The WEF and banks who suspiciously have a horrid record of protecting citizens and their data.
Convenience is the central point of preferring digitised apple wallet over carrying a handbag around. The issue with digital identification is that the WEF hopes governments federate it. The aspiration is that it is compelled on the public. Not whether one decides to use their apple wallet but that they must. The government may never lose anyone. People won’t fall through the cracks so there is a plus but they will also know where you are what you buy and who you contact. Denial of the potential disaster and the nefarious nature of the elites utilising this for their own regard. At the end of the day, even if the government never hones in on some shopkeeper in Boise Idaho doesn’t mean that it is right or that they have legitimate stand. Privacy is an ontological category not a practical one. In the same respect, surveillance is wrong even if there is nothing to hide. Concerning the government, nothing should be ever taken for granted. Any attempt to force digitisation is placing the citizenry at a deficit. It is prorating convenience to trick everyone into publicising their information. It is a spectacle. A way of inducing simplicity for vital content. Exchanging personhood for ease. No sooner will humanity be forced to say I told you so.
Digital identification is a radical extreme and has not made it into the consumer market yet but the move for enhanced digitalisation is a dangerous road. Unable to enter the premises without biometric scan. There have been countless issues with passport scans as well as other identification programs. Shifting to digital programming whilst replacing the archaic models is genuinely dubious. No keyhole or cash fare for busses. If people prefer the older models they are left out forced to adapt. To so many it makes life miserable while the young are quite happy with the change. Time is saved but how many lives are? Efficiency must account for the large population that does not fit into the scheme. The majority does not but their experiments are skewed. They represent fringe or a minority of people. Yet even if the inverse were true, is it ethical or even permitted for an institution to push something at the expense of its own constituents. There is no free trial nor is there assistance to ready for the new change. It is thrust upon the public. Those who have the means are saved but those who lacked are screwed. Skynet is the not the fear nor any robotic ascension. The fear is the digital vulnerability that is overlooked for convenience. A genuine fear that gullibly rings in the mouse to the trap. Control is the name of the game, don’t forget it.
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