So . . . apparently, like Roz, Big Brother really IS always watching. And, if he doesn’t approve of your activities, BAM he’ll swoop on in and shut you down until you can prove you’re worthy of Big Brother’s approval.
So . . . apparently, like Roz, Big Brother really IS always watching. And, if he doesn’t approve of your activities, BAM he’ll swoop on in and shut you down until you can prove you’re worthy of Big Brother’s approval.
Artificial intelligence is scary. I guess it has its good points, but computers that know what I’m doing and where I’m at, are, quite frankly, a bit scary to me. Often when I get home from running errands or such my phone will ask me how I liked _________ the name of the place I had just been. Say what now?
Oh sure, you can turn that feature off, but what if I’m lost or get kidnapped or something? Wouldn’t it be nice for someone to be able to find me? It’s just a little disconcerting that my phone asks me about someplace I’ve been. Like does my phone really care? It never gives me a hug when I need it, why is it so interested in how my “visit” was?”
Same thing when you research something on-line, all of a sudden, your junk feed – you know that column of ads and features that scrolls along with you on other sites – fills up with suggestions for the thing you were just looking at. Like shoes. If you’re looking to purchase a special kind of shoe on-line, suddenly everyone, everywhere, wants to sell you shoes. It’s uncanny. Weird. And just plain scary. And, sorry “cookies,” I’ve already researched, found and purchased the pair I really wanted so you can stop with the suggestions.
What’s even scarier, is when a computer knows what I’m doing and decides it doesn’t like what I’m doing. For instance, I have a Papal account that I use for writerly-related stuff. I also have a credit card machine that I use here at the inn for purposes of guests paying for their rooms. Well, a week or so ago the credit card machine was on the fritz, acting weird and not connecting on-line like it should. In an effort to get my guests checked in smoothly, without complications from an uncooperative credit card machine, I ran the transactions through my Paypal account. I did this several times.
A few days later, Paypal suspended my account because I had been using it too much. Weird. I’d think Paypal would be delighted since that means more money in their wallet, taking a small percentage from every one of my transactions, but nope, they shut me down. I had to have an extensive conversation with a woman at Paypal explaining why I was using the account for something other than author-related stuff. Apparently when my account was set up, I let Paypal know what I needed the account for and these inn transactions were outside of what Paypal felt were the boundaries for author stuff. I had no idea I couldn’t use my Paypal account how I see fit, but apparently – you can’t. Paypal wanted to know why all this fishy activity was going on. So bizarre. I get it, it’s a bank (of sorts) but really?
This automatic shut-down feature really ought to be activated anytime someone downloads child porn. Or graphic photos. Or violent video games. Or when a felon buys a gun. Wouldn’t that be nice? We could stop honest to goodness crime before it happens or escalates instead of shutting down innocent little ladies just trying to conduct normal day-to-day business.
Anyway, I got it all sorted out and both the Paypal account and the credit card machines are back up and running. It’s just so odd that Paypal thinks I’m running a shady business. Better safe than sorry I suppose. Who knows? I wonder what other stuff “Big Brother” is watching me for? Am I on some kind of watch list?
How about you guys – any unexpected shut-downs from your accounts due to “suspicious activity?” Do you use your Paypal account for a specific purpose or do you use it all willy-nilly like I tried to do? Should AI automatically intervene in criminal activities?
Word of the Day: Concatenate
Fun fact about me: It’s been almost 3 years since my last chemo treatment and my hair started growing back in. It’s almost down to my waist now.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2021. Images by Google and giphy.com.
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Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated
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That’s what I’m afraid of.
Have a great week.
Patricia
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Yeah, it’s scary how some technology has addicted society and how that technology controls and influences people (such as Google, Facebook, and the almighty Amazon). Most people don’t seem to mind, which is also somewhat frightening too. I think there might come a point where people become dependent on these entities, cementing that control. Scary times.
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I know what you’re saying. The whole “search engine” concept blows my mind. I’m definitely not dependent on it, but I do rely on it quite a bit when I’m writing. I much prefer the good ole library and paper books though. Such a better way to research (in my opinion anyway).
As always, thanks for taking the time to comment this morning. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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Got busted for that money laundering operation, eh? Don’t worry, the Feds will give you a pass if you help them go after the big fish.
As for using the system to stop crimes, Tom Cruise already tried that.
Would you classify your “Grounded” series as concatenated?
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Yeah – there’s no fooling the government from me. A person has to be so much smarter than me to operate a money laundering business. I wouldn’t even know how to go about it.
I guess one might say that the Grounded series is in fact concatenated. It doesn’t quite fit the definition, but close enough for the shade operation I’m running.
Thanks for bringing a smile to my face this glorious Monday after time change. Nothing like dragging my knuckles around for a couple of days.
Patricia
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