Thank Goodness I’m Old
Most people would not look forward to getting old, and most of those would not look forward to beyond getting old.
I am glad that I am approaching the end of my life. Why? Because the world is getting worse and most people either don’t realize it or they don’t care.
Our way of life has changed considerably since I was young. It is difficult and dangerous for kids to walk through their neighborhood or attend public school. They may even have to go through metal detectors and have security guards there.
People so rely upon credit cards to live that now that a credit bureau has improperly handled peoples data, a majority of the public now is in danger of ID or monetary theft.
With so many scammers out there, we are unable to open email or answer the telephone without the real possibility of a scammer on the other end.
Our personal information is at risk even without the credit bureaus involved.
Casinos use facial recognition to identify certain customers. It is not just casinos because stores also use this technology. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLNHAiST1eQ) Neither tell you that by entering the store, your data is being collected and stored. Some cites around the world have cameras trained on streets to reduce crime. They can zoom in on anyone. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4u4Dpl6NKk)
Prior to the Atlanta Olympics, many intersections were fitted with video camera. From my home to work (a 30 to 40 minute drive) I could be tracked by perhaps over 50 cameras. The current total of Atlanta cameras is 1600! (http://www.trafficcameras.com/70)
Browsing the internet now involves stores and websites tracking where you have been and what you do. Some data is generic such as screen size, however other data and preferences are used to target ads to you.
On Amazon,suggestions for other products are based upon a purchase or search. It is next to impossible to clear those suggestions. Searching for a book about how to support athletic teams starts product ads for athletic supporters.
Watching a movie or TV show online or through streaming services starts suggestions for similar shows, as they too save your viewing habits.
If a hacker were to be able to get into your online account, they might see that you watch a particular comedy show and then send a phishing email about that show.
Someone could hack your Google account and see what times you leave the house with your cellphone, thus knowing when to break in your home unimpeded.
Our loss of freedom and our loss of privacy is troubling and most people seem to be indifferent. We have stopped being religious, and we have stopped being respectful of our leaders, of our flag and of our country. We are allowing others to control our destiny and for that I am troubled. We ignore those who break our laws. If some faction riots, we rebuild their neighborhood. We forget that freedom of speech also means a freedom to not have to listen.
Perhaps I am getting jaded in my old age, but with age comes the ability to have seen change and to be able to evaluate it.
Not all change is good.