Speculative fiction has a long history of taking the issues of the day and reframing them in a new context with the hope that people will look at them in a new way. Our "unprecedented" times are bringing all sorts of old ways and old thinking back to the forefront. On Tuesdays, I present "what if?" questions. Previously, the intent was as an idea generator. It still is. But now, I ask that you really think about all the repercussions that these ideas will have. If only these were just thought exercises.
What if there was a database people could access that contained everything you've ever read, looked up, and/or researched?
Sort of have that already if we don't delete cookies! I keep track of books I read on Goodreads, so that's covered too. But, that's up to me, I wouldn't want a database to keep track (based on library records?), since "they" might want to find out what we all read and research. There are times I wish I remembered where I accessed a search, but I think the database would be too large to be any use to me. I research and read a lot!
ReplyDeleteYeah, a lot of this is available already if you know where to look.
DeleteYeah, it’s not that much of a stretch, is it? The world already knows a lot about all of us.
ReplyDeleteMy questions of late are things that are either here already or could be here very easily.
DeleteUs blogger talks about everything. My life isn't all that excitted.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Hmm. Good question. My guess is that if this sort of information were known about me, the viewer of it would probably conclude that I like cooking shows and pinterest a lot! Have a wonderful week. :)
ReplyDeleteI think we don't worry about what others know about us. Perhaps we should...
DeleteThere probably is such a database. We give lots of permissions to our phones when we set them up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others that a lot is already known about us. But wouldn't want it to go to a more extreme level.
ReplyDeleteWe are all in databases of one kind or another if we buy anything, even if we don't use the internet. We use customer loyalty cards, credit cards,EZ pass (attached to your windshield and used by many states in the Northeast for electronic road toll payments) and other items that track our spending, our travel, or more. For smart phone users, many "free" apps track us and it is sometimes quite hard to opt out. I wouldn't be surprised if, eventually, there is one master database.
ReplyDeleteYou see where my question came from.
DeleteAlready it's there in different silos. Google Maps tells me where all I have been to. Browser history has all that I have looked up ... etc. Now, if all can be collated in one place, that's fine.
ReplyDeleteAlready happens now if anyone cared enough to look me up. Who cares about moi in this way
ReplyDeleteI think that's a dangerous idea, that we're boring so no one wants to know what we're up to. We're boring until we're not...
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