History Repeating

The headline, AI emotion-detection software tested on Uyghurs, came as little surprise. In China, work has been ongoing in facial recognition and now this emotional recognition.  While the technology is interesting, being able to empower machines to handle reactions and simple situations so that we can engage in other matters, it seems the more interesting question is why. Why is this necessary and why should we encourage or at least tolerate this innovation? It seems clear that China is intent on maintaining and securing its ability to consolidate and keep power and will do everything necessary to do that. With a geographically large end ethnically diverse country, why not use all means necessary. Just as in the U.S. we created a mindset of Manifest Destiny, that the subjugation of the land and any people there was not our will but a manifestation of the will of a force greater than ourselves and we took it with any materials necessary. Colt repeating rifles, barbed wire and even gifting blankets contaminated with smallpox, we did everything that we could to take and control the country that we decided was ours. 

Now China has taken up the mantle using the tools at its disposal and we should not be surprised. While we may overlook our own treatment native Americans, even African Americans, we rattle our sabers over the treatment of ethnic Uyghurs. Indeed, they have been turned into data gathering machines- forced to carry cell phones so that the government can track their whereabouts in addition to forced DNA testing. While we may fain shock and disgust, we seem unable to see the plank in our own eye.

No, Mr. Bond…I expect you to buy.

Its really a no brainer, at least in our house that the best James Bond film is the 1964’s Goldfinger and its titular villain, Auric Goldfinger. At a pivotal moment in the film Goldfinger has bond restrained on a steel plate with a laser cutting the steel working its way toward Bonds crotch. In classic 60’s spy movie style, Bond says to Goldfinger, “Do you expect me to talk” to which Goldfinger replies, “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die”

It seems that we as post pandemic consumers have taken the role of Mr. Bond and we are now expected just to buy. As we recover, it seems our role is clear with CEO’s even threatening to fire workers who do not return. While the companies workers did go on strike, it is just another demonstration that consumers and indeed those deemed below the salt are expendable and are there for manipulation. The dominant belief that labor, like wood or silicon is a commodity to be exploited for business.
Just this morning on the news, there was a report that social media increases depression in children, a report which Facebook denies and is forging ahead with its version of Instagram for kids, so that they too can be wowed by the lunch’s of those in their social circle. Indeed, the impact on children doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t impact the bottom line.

However, corporations may be in for a rude awakening. It seems that consumer spending is seen as key to this recovery and our ability to choose has become more important than ever, but with people not willing to go back to low paying jobs or those with only a few hours a week of work that allow for financial independence, companies will have to work harder. Hopefully we will no longer allow ourselves to be fodder for the corporate coffers and begin to flex our very real muscle. We all have been given a real or imagined fear for our life and now why should we return to the very paradigm that kept us restrained before. Many don’t want to go back to a job that doesn’t satisfy them either financially or emotionally and businesses will have to adapt as we have adapted to working from home or social distancing.

Hopefully we will take this opportunity to stand up for ourselves as people who have a real force in this economy and world. If we don’t find social media fulfilling, turn it off. If we don’t think screen time is good for children, take the tablet away. LinkedIn won’t allow you to download your connections so find another platform that fits your needs and don’t let your choices be made for you. There is a life after Facebook and while they may think we will die with out them it is up to us to show them the truth.