AI generated image by Jules Older.
by Jules Older We know that privacy’s an endangered species in the Digital Age. We all talk endlessly about it. Bemoan its loss. Say, “They oughta’ make a law.” The industry fights with vigor and cash against that law. It endlessly swears, “Your privacy is our greatest concern.”
Yeah-nah. They could care less about our privacy. They care about selling us stuff. We all know that, but …
But, let’s also consider the exchange; what we get for letting advertisers know we’re thinking about a trip to Rarotonga, or we’re looking for a home, or we had a baby boy, or we’re having a birthday.
Here are half a dozen things we receive in exchange:
- Google, the greatest research tool in the history of the planet. Free.
- Skype and Zoom and Facetime. Telecommunication with the entire planet. See your new grandson in Australia/Austria/Algeria. Free.
- YouTube. Post a movie of your adorable cat to millions. Free.
- WordPress. Blog to the world. Or at least to your mother. Free.
- Amazon, Etsy, Temu, et al. Shop from home, save dollars, save time, save gas, save the planet. Not free … but still a bargain.
- Trade Me, Craigslist, Ebay, et al. Sell your old piccolo, piano, pizza oven. Clear out the attic, the basement, the back room. No charge.
And there's another plus — those targeted ads. Yeah, I may get notices of bargain vacations on Rarotonga and offers, should I ever need it, of a nice burial. But I don’t get ads for ear-splitting bands, cheap land in Alaska, or presents for the new baby I don't have. Why? Because e-ads are targeted. They know who you are and don't waste your time (and their money) selling you things you'll never need.
All right, that's not quite — no, it’s mostly wrong. My wife regularly gets e-offers to meet a Ukrainian beauty, purchase Chinese steel and enlarge her penis. I get a lucky chance to buy a real Trump executive pen. But still … what I'm saying is, we give up privacy, but we do get a lot back.
It just might be a bargain.
Oh, and there's this: Remember advertisers knowing that we’re having a birthday? Here's something that came in five days before my last birthday. It’s from Eufy:
“We’ve Got An Early Birthday Present For You! 30% Off Birthday Code: Treat Yourself Now”
Now, how on earth did Eufy know it was my birthday? Welcome to the Digital Age.
Jules Older has been a disc jockey and medical educator, clinical psychologist and TV villain, writer and filmmaker. He created the award-winning course, Writing For Real. Jules’ work has won awards in four countries. He’s lived in two of them — US and New Zealand. Jules’ latest kid’s book is Special Ed and the White Force.
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