Put the kettle on...
This leads me to the book I recently added to my reading list, which has jumped above others to actually get read. I am still getting into it, but the introduction alone captures the imagination.
As so often happens, the prompts for these posts arrived all within a matter of days of each other. It is difficult to say which arrived first, but I will arrange them in what I hope will be a cohesive and definitely more narrative order than just a jumble of links. Therefore, for argument, it began with the arrival of the Gopika (the pocket tablet, remember?) As good a starting point as any - tomorrow's post will bring more related discussion.
Today, though, let me bring the big stuff. Some of you know that for all my geekiness, as an ex-programmer, I have also chosen to not get too wrapped up in stuff that allows the tech to dominate life. I have thus far managed to keep all things computery at master and tool levels. You have seen the title. You are, I am sure, also aware of the multiple ways that the internet presents itself to you as if it is your closest friend. It is almost unavoidable as we become ever-more reliant upon our online connectivity. Algorithms are the rulers now.
When I was purchasing the Gopika, there was a push offer for earbuds to go with - and also the Google Watch. No, ta. For a start, I have difficult ears and cannot wear anything that plugs. Full earphones are required. Mac1 was converted to wearable tech last year. That watch never stops beeping and tracking and interrupting... Mac3 loves to keep track of all his running stats, which couldn't be done without that wearable tech. One of the first things the Gopika wanted when I woke it up was to have me monitor virtually all aspects of my life.
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| Click the image for Goodreads. |
It boils down to the fact that we are tracked in so many ways already and often unwittingly, as we agree to all sorts of personal data infringement; think about how all those apps seek access to this, that and the other. Think about the neurotechnological wizardry employed in those running apps, sleep apps, diet apps...
Yet so much of this is also for good. I have personally seen how a neuro-band on a young musician with cerebral palsy permits him, purely by brain power, to compose and produce music through his computer. There are so many applications for positive feedback mechanisms such as this. Ms Farahany tells us about the neural feedback equipment she uses to manage her migraines. Nita A. Farahany is a leading scholar on the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging technologies at Duke University. The principal concern in this book is that of our Cognitive Liberty and how this is to be safeguarded and managed as we progress (very fast!) into this advancing technology.
This is not a book review, per se, but an alert to its existence and the warnings it contains (as well as all the positives that can be expected). So easily we agree to Ts & Cs when downloading, giving permission to use of camera, photos, contacts, etc. In many respects, we are our own worst advocates. It is natural to be curious about things; thus, when ChatGPT and Bard appear before us, it can look like a fun idea. My toes curl at the thought of those. The whole concept of the Metaverse gives me chills. They are not directly neurological (unless used via virtual reality tools) but are part of the growing picture of mass market = mass manipulation. I know that one or two of you flirted with these bots and are aware of at least some of the controversy over plagiarism and outright fraudulence being perpetrated by them. Of course, the software itself cannot be blamed. It is only doing what it is programmed to do... seeking out all likely source material from its almost bottomless pit of information and regurgitating or reforming it. But, like your browser, it filters things according to your search habits.
While the software clearly has faults and creates other errors, it is then the purview of the user to make wise decisions around that production. The very day of writing this post, The Guardian posted an article pertaining to the misuse of ChatGPT. For the bot to actively produce fake articles that are then online to mess up research is of great concern. We have enough trouble with such nonsense already. As many of you know, that middle initial of mine could just as easily stand for "Analyst" because, like a dog with a bone, I need to ascertain all source material and vet it thoroughly. The autobots are not interested in that sort of integrity - and, I suspect, neither are many who will use them in these early days. Most will follow their noses for sheer curiosity and fun, but a very dark side looms.
Personally, and as I commented to Sandra on her bot post, when Gopika tried to push Bard in my direction, I pushed it away, for I am pretty darned sure I can write way better than that Bardard! I am just glad that Nobby and his Gail failed to get registered!
The recent discussion of the risks with Tik Tok highlights the sort of thing that is of concern. While there is much that suggests that the platform itself may be 'innocent', the fact that our data is gathered here, there and everywhere is something about which we must become increasingly aware and educated. Especially as the move into the Sixth Domain of military assessment progresses. Five years ago, this report appeared with regard to Military Brain Science... from China.
The British Military are a tad behind if this concept note is anything to go by. Why bring up the militaristic aspects of neurological applications? Ms Farahany takes note of it, and there is the fact that a great deal of what we take for granted in our technical world even now has arisen because it was first researched and applied in times of war or anticipation and threat thereof. Make no mistake, a significant proportion of peacetime activity in advanced technology always has some background in how it might be applied in manipulating and 'guiding' the human domain. Second to the military comes the commercial. Everything now is about drawing our moolah from us.
Is the macro too big? Tomorrow we'll look at the micro - the close-up and personal of our tech.
Comments are off. This is a thinking post; take your time to absorb this and the info in the links. Bring your thoughts into tomorrow's comments.