Bruce Sterling On Total Information Awareness

I dont think that Poindexters nutty scheme has much real-world traction. I think the questions badly formulated, really. I dont think theres much distinction between surveillance and media in general. Better media means better surveillance. Cams are everywhere. A security cam is one small part of a much larger universe of cams. The much larger effect, socially, politically and economically, is going to come from a much larger trend. I noticed that people are doing a lot of "googling" before a first date nowadays--this represents the real trend. Poindexters doing this and DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) allowed him to do it for the propaganda that someones serious about cyberwar someplace. Googling is international. Its not just restricted to cranky Republicans who couldnt erase e-mail in their PROFS (Professional Office System). Thats going to have more of an effect. Its difficult to escape a tragedy in your life thats not your own fault. Years ago, if your husband died in a house fire, you could get a covered wagon and go to Oregon. Now, as soon as you arrive in Oregon, someone could google you. "Oh, well, widow Simpson. Really sorry to hear about the house fire." You dont get to cut that chain of evidence and start over. Youre always going to be pursued by your data shadow, which is forming from thousands and thousands of little leaks and tributaries of information.
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