[ExI] Digital Jeeves
David Lubkin
lubkin at unreasonable.com
Tue Jul 30 13:16:35 UTC 2013
Nothing new for many of you, but some rants bear repeating
Much of the technology around us, from spam
filters to a dishwasher, is a surrogate for
quality household and professional staff. Butler,
maid, chauffeur, secretary, assistant, etc.
The vital trait that digital Jeeveses lack is
discretion. They now can all be presumed to spy
on you, absent proof they aren't, if there's any
possible backpath. Which implies anyone else who
wants to know also can, absent proof they can't.
Your information is sold, shared, hacked, stolen,
and vacuumed. Moreover, if the tech can be
remotely activated at your request, it can also
be remotely activated by others, without your knowledge or specific consent.
For now, I pick and choose. Some tech I use,
accepting the unspoken prices. Some I don't,
intentionally. Some I use, but trust other tech
to protect me from the first. Some I roll myself.
I'd love the advent of a smarter set of digital
staff, if I can be convinced of their discretion
and loyalty. I see a billion-dollar opportunity
for an incorruptible and impervious service that can guarantee that.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/technology/apps-that-know-what-you-want-before-you-do.html>
Apps That Know What You Want, Before You Do
-- David.
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