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--Recent
grumblings by net-newbies, the technically-challenged, and
the usual yelpers -- regarding privacy and Google's new
'Buzz' -- would be comical if it wasn't so telling about our
dumbed-down society and any prospects for a better
tomorrow.
--
For
the record, Gmail is free and Buzz is an optional service.
And as for Gmail's storing of email addresses and contacts,
this is (and has been) common practice by service providers
for over a decade now. It's part of how they filter out junk
mail; and how you can type the first couple letters of a
name, and instantly get prompted with a couple of address
options. Moreover, it has always been possible to apply
filters, block, delete, edit and clear saved information and
preferences. And, as for the security features of email
programs (including Gmail with 'Buzz'), they're pretty darn
good compared to browsers or using a credit card over a WiFi
connection.
--
However,
even if email security was non-existent, the amount of
personal information contained therein, is nothing compared
to what is already out there for practically each and every
U.S. citizen.
--
For
years, the credit companies have been collecting data on
everyone; and, in recent years, they have had access to
government and criminal records. All of this information,
true or false, is stored and available to whoever pays the
price (you may have seen the commercials or
websites).
--
Anyone
can find out where you live and even get street directions
to your home. They can find out about that phone bill you
didn't pay at college (and the number), or the DUI you might
have had. They can find your credit score, former housemates
and/or spouses, jobs, bank accounts, investments -- even tax
returns. In short, everything about you is publicly
available for a price; and/or available anytime by the
government and the financial
industry.
--
We
have no privacy whatsoever in this country. When you go to
an ATM or a store they are taking your picture and logging
your transaction -- time-stamped to be matched together by
whoever. When you make a phone call, the call is logged and
conversation scanned for keywords and filed appropriately.
Every email you send is saved and scanned. Your browser
history is kept at the ISP level and available for
inspection (yes, even if you clear it from your computer's
browser history).
--
Everything
we do is known and is waiting to be discovered by those that
have the methods and means to access the
information.
--
Do
I like it, hell no! But there's nothing that
can be done about it -- it's too late now. The system has
been in place for decades, and has become so seamless and
ubiquitous that it is part of the very fabric of
communications in the U.S. It is the way business and
government operate in the 21st
Century.
--
A
more sinister goal of those that hide behind privacy, is the
goal of some in government and big business to control the
flow of information -- or to silence dissent. Be watchful of
the censorship advocates who are more afraid of being
exposed themselves, than protecting an individual's right to
privacy.
--
So
the next time you hear somebody complaining that Google is
'Big Brother,' shove a sock-monkey in their mouth and
explain to them that Big Brother is Big Brother and Google
is on our side. At least Google, for now, can help us to
keep tabs on what the real Big Brother is up
to.
--
And
as for the dumbing of America, well I can talk for days
about that. It's the very idiots that complain about privacy
that support(ed) the politicians and businesses that created
this Brave New World.
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