Government and the masses don't get technology

[Grieve]

I feel bad for Apple, Google, RIM, and anyone else trying to improve our lives via technology. This is a typical example of companies trying to do a good thing (make it easier for your phone to get service and for GPS to kick in), only for media and government hysteria to completely miss the point.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Apple-defe...et=&ccode=

There have been so many over the top new media stories perpetuating the myth that this stuff is there so these companies can track your every move and sell the information to shady third parties, it's ridiculous. Just look at the comments to this news story. "Fine them!", "they're crooks!", "they're control freaks!". The bigger you get, the more people want to interpret your intentions as bad.

Let's face it, the average American (and apparantly congressman) just doesn't understand this stuff.

[Jakensama]

Considering you are a corporate Shill for Apple, you defending them makes me more suspicious....

[Vanraw]

Considering you are a corporate Shill for Apple, you defending them makes me more suspicious....

lol, I laughed.


I agree though Grieve. Im not clear how Apple or any other company with a GPS chip is making money knowing that I am walking past the DQ on 1st ave.

Now when we get the minority report eye readers, then we got a problem.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBaiKsYUdvg[/youtube]

[Zouji]

A turn off tracking button (that actually works *ahem* Apple) should solve this problem. If they really want to clamp down they can make it a law that only anonymous usage statistics may be recorded by GPS and other forms of cell phone tracking.

Granted I don't understand the problem. Google already monitors your web preferences when you use it, so they can be more accurate with their advertising. The government uses your census data for numerous statistical programs. So, it really is nothing worse than what the government already does.

[Grieve]

Considering you are a corporate Shill for Apple, you defending them makes me more suspicious....

Ha! I shall have the last laugh, my young pseudo-German friend. The iPad that once graced your humble abode has provided all the tracking info we need to hunt you down and end your Apple-hating propaganda once and for all!!!

[Garignak]

Wish I had found this post sooner.

Compared with what is going on with data collection these days, 1984 has not yet arrived, but it is getting closer. I'm not surprised it's a British film.

[Grieve]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8[/youtube]

[Garignak]

OMG - Where'd you dig that up. Never seen that before - lol. I'm now more inclined to believe they really want 1984, for themselves of course, simply because they had such a commercial. Too funny.

[Jakensama]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHMA5lwqt2s[/youtube]