A change up . . . Is the epic novel 1984 a reality today? Tomorrow?

1. 75

   tsmogposted 3 weeks ago

   " Greetings, inquisitive mind at the edge of tomorrow.
   
   Your life is being tracked. Every click, every cart, every step you take is recorded, sorted, and sold. What once felt private is now data—packaged, profiled, and used to shape what you see, buy, and even believe.
   
   This week, we unravel the “datafication of daily life.” From smart homes to smart credit scores, discover how silent algorithms are reshaping the choices that define your health, safety, and future.
   
   Let’s follow the numbers—and find out who's really watching."
   
   Just a touch of what . . . what is
   
   Smart Devices. Silent Watchers. Now You Know.
   From smart homes to credit scores—how data is reshaping your life.
   Presented by World Population Review Newsletter in partnership with The Rundown AI (July 5, 2025)
   https://wpr-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/sm … eehiiv.com
   
   Note: Each subtopic has a graphic for by country. Also, the subtopic is a link to a more detailed article about the topic.
   
   1. The Smart Home Knows When You Sleep
   In the U.S., 69% of homes now use at least one smart device, many transmitting usage patterns to third parties.
   
   2. Health: Monitored, Measured, Monetized
   3. Retail Knows Your Secrets Before You Do
   4. Public Safety Meets Personal Privacy
   5. Education: Tracking Minds as They Learn
   U.S. school systems increasingly use tools like ClassDojo and GoGuardian to monitor student engagement—even keystrokes.
   
   6. Travelers Under the Algorithm’s Gaze
   7. Money, Credit, and the Algorithmic You
   U.S. fintech lenders use alternative data—including social media—to assess borrowers.
   
   Thoughts & Questiolns?
   
   How many rewards points programs are you a participant?
   How many organizational portals are you signed up with and use?
   How long does your city maintain data for traffic cameras?
   
   What will our children and grandchildren encounter?
   
   Were you happy the AI provision was eliminated in the Big Beautiful Bill?
   
   Thoughts, criticisms, accolades, and/or commentary?

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      Readmikenowposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      I think it is obvious that George Orwell was a man who was way ahead of his time.  It is a book that was published in 1949.  To me, it seems as if he could see 76 years into the future and predict what was happening today.
      
      I am happy the AI provision was eliminated in the recent bill signed by President Donald Trump.

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      1. 75

         tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

         "I am happy the AI provision was eliminated in the recent bill signed by President Donald Trump."
         
         Me too!!
         
         I keep promising myself I will reread the book along with a few others. But, I get distracted and bounce in another direction.

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   2. 72

      Ken Burgessposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      My feeling is if you can't beat it, use it for your benefit as much as possible.
      
      Unless you are willing to live without Internet, smart phones, etc ... Not off grid, but without any 21st century technology mostly, you can't escape it.
      
      So if you are living in the backwoods of the Ozarks somewhere, without Internet and cell phones, you probably have nothing to worry about.
      
      Else play the game the best you can and use the technology to benefit you.

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2. 60

   Willowarborposted 3 weeks ago

   No worries for the folks who haven't read it. You're already cast in the live-action adaptation of the book.
   
   Orwell imagined it, Palantir is making it a reality.

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   1. 75

      tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Yup and Palantir is just one example.

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3. 75

   tsmogposted 3 weeks ago

   Eye opening . . . pipl.com . . . Consider what is shared next is private enterprise. Ponder what government entities can do. At the least they can contract with private enterprise such as Planatir used by various federal agencies, including the Pentagon, intelligence community, and civilian agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security.
   
   Image is link to YouTube about pipl.com
   
   
   
   Transparency is key to digital integrity and trust. the landing page of pipl.com
   https://pipl.com/why-pipl
   
   Welcome to the Pipl Search API
   https://docs.pipl.com/docs/welcome-to-t … search-api
   
   Do you think employers use services such as above?
   
   How has our privacy changed?

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4. 92

   Venkatachari Mposted 3 weeks ago

   Tim, this is an alarming revelation. The percentages show that the majority of our privacy no longer exists.
   
   The 1984 author was a visionary. I still have to read "IQ84" by Murakami.

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   1. 75

      tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Howdy, Venkat! Thanks for turning me onto "IQ84". I looked online seeing it is a nod to 1984 by Orwell, yet with a twist shall we say. It seems it is very intriguing. I will check Amazon for it and put it in my wishlist.

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5. 92

   Venkatachari Mposted 3 weeks ago

   I already kept it in my cart @amazon and I will get it after a month. Here is the link to the book https://www.amazon.in/dp/0099578077?psc … GCK4HCVHE1
   
   Presently, I am reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

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   1. 75

      tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      With a peek I see 1Q84 is three books giving a total of over 1300 pages. Wow! I will give that a second thought, however I remain very intrigued. But, I put it in my wish list, so I won't forget about it.

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