Blinded by Science
It’s no secret that I’m a big science nerd. There is no doubt that science changed our world. But I can understand how scary that can be, especially for folks who may not really understand a lot about science or how things work. That lack of understanding may lead to fear and distrust. To a feeling that scientists might not be trustworthy.
Next step: fear. Fear that scientists are not telling the truth, or that people with money and/or power might take advantage of the average person using science. For example, believing that vaccines might be used to “tag” people. I suppose this could be used to keep track of a person, to know where they go, what they do, etc.
I’ve got news for you, folks. You know that smartphone that you carry everywhere? That thing can keep track of us better than any tiny chip might. And if that doesn’t do it, there’s always FaceBook. Most of us don’t think about it, but that app has our names, workplaces, birthdates, likes, friends, opinions, and much more. Take quizzes? More info.
What is all that information used for? To aim ads at us, ads of things we are likely to want. And buy. To aim political ads at us, and to use these ads to stir our emotions, to push us toward action.
And it isn’t just corporations and our politicians. It’s been proven that Russian operatives have, and possibly still are, using this information to mess with our lives and our democracy.
So, which is more dangerous? The use of science to learn how things work and to use that information to make our world better, or to use our Internet habits to endanger our democracy, or country, our way of life?
I know which I chose. How about you?
