I often wonder if this is some sort of lack of self worth thing. Like, people don’t see their data as important because they don’t see themselves as important in the grand scheme of things? Do they thing one person isn’t gonna change anything?
I get algorithms and shit are designed to be addicted and keep you coming back, but is there a deeper part to this?
Or am I just the crazy one? Does all of this not matter? I mean, I know it doesn’t, in the grand scheme nothing matters. But at this time in space does it matter? My friends enjoy TikTok and Facebook and Twitter and whatever else they use. I do end up being the crazed loser? Is the pool full of piss and I’m in water? Or is it a lemonade pool and I’m full of Powerade piss
Nope. It’s just a convince thing. They aren’t aware what can be done with their data and when they are aware they think “there are millions of people using it so why should MY data be that interesting”
If people are given a choice, they almost always will decline if it’s as convenient as accepting.
I’ve told various people over the years how easy it is to move away from tracking and how valuable their data is. They don’t care. Which makes me thing it’s something else at least in part
The problem is: it’s not easy. It’s easy for you because you’re used to it. Most people are not interested in technology at all.
So maybe start with small things that actually improve the experience. Instead of asking “do you want to get away from trackers” ask “do you never want to see ads in your life ever again”. Then show them how to install an ad blocker.
Don’t try to talk about everything at once. You also don’t try to teach advanced chemistry someone who has absolutely no idea and interest in Chemistry. You have to teach them small steps at a time and make it sound intresting and easy.
And it’s not easy when you tell them “it’s easy. You just have to install this, this and this and have to change your whole habit of using your devices by using a different browser and learn a different client for apps. Oh, and most of them aren’t available on the play store and give a warning when you want to install them.”
You have to make them care about their data, you have to make them care about what you tell them. And that’s the hard part
I completely agree with what you say here, the frustrating part is how much people use technology without wanting to understand it. I don’t know how to code and I’m not saying everyone needs to, we can leave it to the people who actually like doing it.
But it seems like people are intimidated by fairly simple instructions if it’s something even slightly unfamiliar. Given how distraught those same people would be if their tech stopped working I feel like a basic understanding would be a good thing to have. Especially when it’s something they’re using for leisure, like social media.
It’s like, the fact you should put pressure on a wound is generally good knowlege to have, even if you aren’t a doctor. But then again a non negligable percent of adults don’t understand how babies are conceived so maybe I’m being overly optimistic.
Ignorance is a bliss, in both its meanings. Being uninformed and being ignorant and tech illiterate.
Convenience. People love love love convenience. These tech companies have worked so hard and succeeded at making their products extremely convenient.
People don’t see what is actually being done with their personal data. If you show one of those “I don’t care, I have nothing to hide” folks the transactions that happen with their data, I guarantee you that they’d start caring right away.
I often wonder if this is some sort of lack of self worth thing. Like, people don’t see their data as important because they don’t see themselves as important in the grand scheme of things? Do they thing one person isn’t gonna change anything?
I get algorithms and shit are designed to be addicted and keep you coming back, but is there a deeper part to this?
Or am I just the crazy one? Does all of this not matter? I mean, I know it doesn’t, in the grand scheme nothing matters. But at this time in space does it matter? My friends enjoy TikTok and Facebook and Twitter and whatever else they use. I do end up being the crazed loser? Is the pool full of piss and I’m in water? Or is it a lemonade pool and I’m full of Powerade piss
Nope. It’s just a convince thing. They aren’t aware what can be done with their data and when they are aware they think “there are millions of people using it so why should MY data be that interesting”
If people are given a choice, they almost always will decline if it’s as convenient as accepting.
I’ve told various people over the years how easy it is to move away from tracking and how valuable their data is. They don’t care. Which makes me thing it’s something else at least in part
The problem is: it’s not easy. It’s easy for you because you’re used to it. Most people are not interested in technology at all.
So maybe start with small things that actually improve the experience. Instead of asking “do you want to get away from trackers” ask “do you never want to see ads in your life ever again”. Then show them how to install an ad blocker.
Don’t try to talk about everything at once. You also don’t try to teach advanced chemistry someone who has absolutely no idea and interest in Chemistry. You have to teach them small steps at a time and make it sound intresting and easy.
And it’s not easy when you tell them “it’s easy. You just have to install this, this and this and have to change your whole habit of using your devices by using a different browser and learn a different client for apps. Oh, and most of them aren’t available on the play store and give a warning when you want to install them.”
You have to make them care about their data, you have to make them care about what you tell them. And that’s the hard part
That’s a very fair assessment and actually answers my questions perfectly.
I completely agree with what you say here, the frustrating part is how much people use technology without wanting to understand it. I don’t know how to code and I’m not saying everyone needs to, we can leave it to the people who actually like doing it.
But it seems like people are intimidated by fairly simple instructions if it’s something even slightly unfamiliar. Given how distraught those same people would be if their tech stopped working I feel like a basic understanding would be a good thing to have. Especially when it’s something they’re using for leisure, like social media.
It’s like, the fact you should put pressure on a wound is generally good knowlege to have, even if you aren’t a doctor. But then again a non negligable percent of adults don’t understand how babies are conceived so maybe I’m being overly optimistic.
A couple of things:
Ignorance is a bliss, in both its meanings. Being uninformed and being ignorant and tech illiterate.
Convenience. People love love love convenience. These tech companies have worked so hard and succeeded at making their products extremely convenient.
People don’t see what is actually being done with their personal data. If you show one of those “I don’t care, I have nothing to hide” folks the transactions that happen with their data, I guarantee you that they’d start caring right away.
Can you give examples of what being done with my data?
Merchandising!
I mean, it’s far from the worst that can happen, and I use adblock anyway
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