I
love technology. I’m sure a lot of that has to
do with my work experience and that fact that
I’ve kind of grown up and matured right along
with it. But, as much as I love technology, I am
starting to get a just a little worried about it.
I remember back in
the mid-1980s I worked for a company called LISP
Machines (LMI). LMI was born in the labs of MIT
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The
company made computers with artificial
intelligence. My friends kidded me about it saying
it was the best company to work for in that my
real intelligence didn’t always work and
“artificial intelligence is better than none.”
That line also served as a company slogan. We even
had buttons made up with it.
In addition, I
worked in new product introduction, with computers
of all types -- including programming -- and at the
beginning of the commercialization of the internet
with companies that made the routers and servers
that make it all possible. And in the 90s, I was a
part of the communications revolution making cell
phones and the base stations that allow them to
work. At one time I subscribed to Prodigy,
CompuServe, and AOL – All at the same time!! AOL
is on version 8.0. I date back to version 1.5.
I’ve had quite a
ride and I smile and feel proud when I look back
at where I’ve been. But, I also worry that maybe
I should not have dove into all of this with such
vigor and excitement. It seems the cat’s in the
cradle, humpty-dumpy is teetering on the wall,
and the bow is about t break. I can’t be in
three places at once and the heart palpitations
are starting.
Technology still is
great but I think maybe we’ve taken it too far.
Global Positioning features are not just being
offered in new cell phones, but they are being required!
Mobile phone companies are under orders from the
U.S. Federal Communications Commission to
incorporate some kind of location-reporting
technology into cellular phones. Dubbed E-911, or
enhanced 911, it is meant to assist law
enforcement and emergency service personnel find
people calling 911 from cell phones when the
callers don’t know where they are. (Of course,
wonder why we let such people roam the streets!)
The FCC requires 95% of cell phone to be E-911
compliant by 2005.
E-911 sounds like a
great idea and really sensational when you add in
the features that will allow parents to always
know where their kids are. Now I grew up in a
neighborhood where parents already knew what
we were up to all the time. Every house had eyes, the drivers
and passengers in every car waved as they passed, and
everywhere you went “they always knew your
name.” It was next to impossible to get into
trouble -- though occasionally, we managed to do
so anyway!
Yes, times have
changed and I guess E-911 is an aid to parents.
Just don’t ask their teenage kids about it. And,
please don’t ask me. You see, there are times I
just want to get away and not be found – but
still want to be in touch. And I can’t help but
think that some place there is this gigantic
computer building a database of everywhere I go
and everything I say and
. . .
The technology we
played with back at LMI is a reality today. There
really are computers today that can think and
learn. If you think about that it just may
worry you a bit. The coupons that get printed
“just for you “at the supermarket when you
check out is an example.
It is an example that I so much want to go away.
Whenever I go
through the checkout line at the supermarket I am
always asked if I have my “value" or
"bonus" card. This
is a card that store have you sign up for that
will give you discounts on selected products in
the store. I am sure you have them at your local
supermarkets, too.. It doesn’t cost anything to get the
cards and with the discounts you get it sounds like
a great deal. Bur, I’m not so sure.
On-line travel
sites I use know where and when I fly, the hotels
I stay in, and the cars I rent. The airlines,
hotels, and rental car companies also know, as
does American Express, the credit card I use for
most of my travel.
Other credit card
companies know where and when I shop and the
general type of merchandise I buy – sometime the
specific items. Many on-line sites know me and my
Internet surfing habits and interests. My bank
knows when I get money (and also when I travel as
I always use ATMs on the road.), what my life is
like based on the checks I write. They also know
my income thanks to direct deposit.
And when I think
about all the other information known and
collected about me sitting in countless databases
by just as many companies, organizations, and
government agencies,
it’s no wonder I always seem to be looking
over my shoulder and appear just a little paranoid
and schizophrenic. Boys and girls, I really don't
know why you want to know so much about me. I
really am not that interesting!!
And now the
supermarkets want me to use a card so they can
know what I eat. Excuse me, but I don’t think
so. Enough is enough! While I can appreciate the
stores wanting to serve me better and their
willingness to give me discounts on certain
products, the cost isn’t free!
You see, I just
can’t help but believe the stores' computers are
tied into gigantic know-it-all government and insurance
company computers and
this “what I eat” information will be used
against me at some point.
I can see it now. I
have a medical problem. I go to the doctor or
maybe check into a hospital to alleviate the
problem. Things turn out just fine, thank you –
until it comes time for the insurance company to
process the claim.
“We can’t
process your claim, Mr. Budzinski.”
“Ah, why not?”
“There is a
problem here. It’s right here in the fine print
on the reverse side of page 251 in section 12b
sub-paragraph 34 item #4.”
“And, just what
does this section say, pray tell?”
“Well, Mr.
Budzinski, it says any claims where it can be
determined that ‘contributory negligence’ on
the part of the claimant, that’s you, is
determined to be a factor in the creation of said
medical condition for which a claim is being filed
shall indeed be declared to null and void and not
subject to coverage at which point the declaration
by claimant of such un-reimbursable claim shall
constitute willful fraud by the claimant at which
point the contract policy between the company,
that’s us, and claimant shall be immediately
annulled and
cancelled and claimant subject to prosecution to
the limit of all current, future and past laws
constituting the legal jurisdictions of all places
of business to which the company is subject.”
“So,
in plain English, you can’t
pay this claim?”
“No sir. Not with
the contributory negligence on your part.”
“OK. Um, that
makes sense, I guess . . . But . . I have one
little question.“
“And . . .”
“Ah, just what is
this ‘contributory negligence’ on my part!?”
“Well Mr.
Budzinski, we have a printout here from the
supermarket.”
“So.”
“Well, it says
for the past 18 month you bought 27 bags of potato
chips, 38 t-bone steaks, 42 quarts of ice-cream,
11 one pound bags of sugar, 84 various items of
snack foods . . .”
“Um
... Wait a minute. Just what does all this have to do with
anything?”
“This is not the
way to treat your body. Section 325, Sub-paragraph
76f ...
"What?"
" . . . um,
it says you must eat healthy.”
Yeah,
I know I may be getting just a little carried away
here, but I ain’t taking no chances and I
ain’t getting one of those supermarket value or
bonus cards.
The world knows enough about me. It doesn’t need
to know what I eat!! And, by the way, the next time you’re
in a hardware store, check out the bathroom
fixtures. If you see any kind of electronic
devices hanging off a toilet, run for the hills
because said commode isn't the only thing getting
dumped on.
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