Your “Data” Might Be Better Off With Tech Giants
Data is a four letter word with an ocean of meaning. With that, I think it’s safe to say that “data” is interpreted differently by different people. To make sure we’re on the same page , I’d like to start off by presenting a more “universal” definition of this controversial term.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, Data is:
As it would seem,“Data” is not defined as Jane Doe’s search history on Google, nor does it have anything to do with John Doe’s favorite past time. Instead, “Data” is collective, and your distinctive information is virtually useless on its own. For data to mean anything, it must be pooled together, and the more there is of it, the less valuable or beneficial your personal information becomes.
So where’s the problem? Why are we so reluctant to trust multinational tech corporations (MNTCs) with our information?
To be honest, I’m not so sure anymore, and here’s why:
Seems to me we are too immersed in what René Girard refers to as “Mimetic Desire”. Simply put, “Mimetic Desire” means valuing something just because someone else suddenly values it.
It’s kind of like what you felt when the toys you never played with were given to your cousins when they came to visit. You no longer cared for those toys, but somehow, just seeing other kids enjoying them, made the once worthless pieces of plastic all the more desirable.
Which brings me to my next question: Can we honestly say that we cared about our “Data” or what happens to it twenty years ago? Can we honestly say it meant anything to us before multinationals started to earn money from it? Probably not. I understand why it would be bothersome to see someone make a profit from something that is “yours” but I truly believe it wouldn’t have been considered so valuable in the first place, if not for MNTCs.
Just to clarify, I’m not referring to individual information (social security number for example), but rather details like whether people in a certain age group prefer a certain item over another.
Seems to me that we’ve gotten so immersed in the cons, that we often forget about the pros. When companies store our collective data, we also get to enjoy free products. Sure, we need to endure a few ads along the way, but our data, is what allows for targeted ads, relevant specifically to us. If nothing more, our data allows these companies to better understand us, and tailor products that attend to our preferences. Such products are not only material based, but also beneficial to understanding our most fundamental needs, and also, the needs of our planet.
Technology, and more specifically our data ,can provide countless solutions to challenges worldwide. Thus, I ask, who’s better than MNTCs, to do it? Fact of the matter is, these companies opened up new worlds for us. Some of the world’s most brilliant minds were those who initiated data-related solutions. They know these methods best, and more importantly, how to protect them.
Before MNTCs came along, most of our data was found in phone books, miscellaneous service providers and of course, governmental institutions.
It’s not like we had a choice, but quite frankly, the information stored there wasn’t any “safer” than it is today. There have always been cases of fraud, identity theft and other criminal activity. Though the risks were there before, those risks hardly received as much attention, probably because we didn’t think there was much we could do about them.
If anything, we put our information in the hands of those that may have been less competent to handle it. As strong as their security skills may have been (or not), I’m almost certain MNTCs today are, and will continue to be much better at cyber security. Not only because they have the most experience, but also, because they tend to employ some of the world’s most brilliant minds, and have the best resources to improve and develop their skills and resources moving forward.
I don’t know about you, but personally, I trust Apple and Google with my information, even more than a governmental institution (I explain why in this article).
I know what you’re thinking, “So what? Why should my data be used in the first place? Why should my information be used by anyone other than me?”
I see your point but something to consider is that there might be something bigger here. When the information about why we do what we do stays with us as individuals, it will be extremely difficult for future generations to learn from us; what we did right, what we did wrong, and what they need to change to make things better.
Thus, I believe that we have a moral obligation to understand ourselves in the best possible manner: societal and cultural processes, and everything else that has a viable impact on our planet, and human existence as a whole. Future generations need to know what we did, so that they can either do the same, or make up for our mistakes.
There’s no denying that the “data” is yours, and that individualism is still a principle worth preserving. However, in my opinion, your “data” may be yours, but the “collective data” should be publicized for the greater good. The collection of our data is not beneficiary solely to MNTCs, but could actually be more beneficial to our existence. The collection of information and understanding of the phenomenas is important to the continuation and prosperity of mankind. I know it sounds extreme, but there is no better way to provide this information without storing data, at least for now.
It seems as though the majority of thought leaders within the tech community believe that MNTCs are taking advantage of our information for financial gain. Many claim that they’ve gained too much power and need to be controlled. Some even go as far as saying that they should be terminated.
I am by no means saying MNTCs should be allowed to take our data and do whatever they please with it — They should definitely be regulated on a consistent basis. However, I do think it is important to include them in the process too.
Our data may not be a toy, but it isn’t a precious china set, either. It has a purpose and a distinct function in today’s world. Without it, it’ll be extremely difficult to attend to any of the challenges facing us today and in the future. Information and knowledge are nothing short of a treasure trove and unlike the generations before us, we’ve developed the efficient techniques to preserve it.
As it stands today, and in my opinion, MNTCs are the most professionally suited establishments to manage our information. Now all there is left to do, is ensure our data/information is not used for malicious purposes, and the best way of doing so is by “playing” together.
After all, when two parties “share” values, they are much more likely to do what’s best for them… You know what they say, sharing is caring.
Your “Data” Might Be Better Off With Tech Giants
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