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What do I love about: Techno Creep?
We all know the dangers of the proliferation of technology on our everyday life. I love techno Creep because it reminds me of an aspect of technology use, I do not think about all the time. I like that the author divides the chapters based on different types of creep such as physical, government, robot etc. Thomas not only reminds the reader on the extremities of technology but also on how one can reduce the digital footprint and scent.
What do I not love about: Techno Creep?
This book was written in 2014 and the reader will quickly realize that technology as become even more advanced
Who should read: Techno Creep?
I recommend this book to not only those worried about their privacy in the digital world but also those who claim not to care since they do not have anything to hide.
Who should not read: Techno Creep?
If you are already a digital normad you may not find value in this book.
Notes about Techno Creep?
The author used different types of creep to explain his concept
Intelligence Creep:
- Modern technology is not what it seems. Or rather, it is much more than it seems.
- Uncanny valley effect – we become uneasy when non-human things exhibit human-like behaviors.
Image Creep:
- Always assume that if you send a photo, it can be grabbed and have a life that extends far beyond momentary ogling.
- Interacting with machines may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.
Tracking Creep:
- We are all carrying around the most perfect surveillance device ever invented, completely voluntarily, right in our pockets.
- The singularity is a point in time at which AI will surpass human brainpower in important ways.
Sensation Creep:
- Shopping malls that are plagued with loitering teenagers have been known to chase them out with piped-in classical music
Body Creep:
- Time it appears is truly in the mind of the beholder.
Government Creep:
- Calgary now has a system which allows anyone to view anyone’s tax assessment, at anytime, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Deception Creep:
- Delete those “too good to be true” emails, not open attachments, and spurn unsolicited online proposals no matter how attractive. Just walk so to speak.
Robot Creep:
- The website YouGov and The Huffington Post commissioned a survey on robosex and found that 18% of us believe that robots will have sex with humans by 2030 and 9% would go for it if they could.
Creep Theory:
- Just as there is no pleasure without pain and no peace without war, we will always need to question the cost, the risk and the motivation of those who may benefit from changing our lives through technology.
- Every time we post a photo on Facebook, retweet on Twitter, buy a plane ticket online, or even search for one, we are making personal privacy choices that have consequences.
- The technological capability to spy on us is becoming more sophisticated, less expensive and more widely available. The motivation to use this technology is becoming more and more compelling.
- Security can be enhance by a combination of “something you know” (e.g a password), “something you have” (e.g a key fib) and “something you are” (e.g a fingerprint or hand geometry)
- Anti-Creep Ways:
- Know thy enemies
- Install software to help you track your trackers
- Block popups, ads, and invisible websites
- Go deep diving into places like your Facebook profile
- Periodically clear out your computers history, cache files, and other digital detritus
- Organize your digital life
- Password protect all devices
- Encrypt your entire hard disk
- Choose your password well
- Never put passwords, credit card numbers, or anything else that is truly sensitive into an email
- Beef up your authentication
- Get a digital shredder
- Guard your digital persona like a hawk and cover your digital tracks
- Prefer credit over debit cards
- You could pay cash or bitcoin
- Monitor your accounts online regularly
- Set up a google alert on your name
- Use a privacy friendly search engine
- Be info stingy
- Give out any phone number but your own
- Keep your body pure
- Set your camera, smartphone, and other devices to “location off” mode
- Alter your phone usage habits
- Use a virtual private network
- Vary your name
- Use a search engine to stay up to date
- Hang with some hackers (like minded folks)