iSpy Recap

iSpy was in many ways, very shocking for me. Not because I was learning things I didn't know already but because Andrejevic concisely recounted all the various ways our supposed freedom doesn't exactly exist. The concept of the digital enclosure finally put a name on an image that I had been slowly developing in my mind. One where walls were slowly being erected the more times I swiped that Shoppers Club card or drove through the E-Z Pass lane. iSpy forced me to reassess my place in that enclosure. And to determine, now that I know where those boundaries lie, what I'm going to do about it. Andrejevic presents his arguments to shock people into understanding but leaves it up to us, the "savvy citizen", to decide how we're going to change this culture of surveillance to one of democratic participation and potential.

Privacy and the Constitution

Bill of Rights - Amendments Related to Privacy

Amendment I (Privacy of Beliefs): Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment III (Privacy of the Home): No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV (Privacy of the Person and Possessions): The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment IX (General Protection): The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment XIV (Liberty Clause): No state shall... deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Responses

About class on 9/18:

I forget who wrote this on their blog, but someone brought up the point that although the discussion was quite lively and enjoyable at times, it failed to actually discuss one point. There was no central argument. I believe that people learn more (and more effectively) if they are forced to investigate all sides of an issue and debate it rather than just saying anything that is even slightly related to the topic. I am not saying that the entire class was chaotic but it felt as though the central issues were constantly being ignored in favor of comments designed to evoke specific responses from classmates (with whom you may or may not agree with). 

Response to the class discussion and this blog and its comment.

Firstly, the post itself is contradictory. You initially state, "according to my interpretation of the constitution this taking of my information...is a breach of my personal privacy and should not be done." However, you continue to say that governmental monitoring policies such as the Patriot Act are acceptable because you feel that you have done nothing wrong. I understand that you may agree with the terms of the Patriot Act but to agree with it simply because you believe it does not apply to you is well, not good enough. The prevailing counter argument to both private and governmental monitoring in class has been exactly that. People have said that they agree or have no opinion on data mining because they believe it has no effect upon them. The "I have nothing to hide" argument. To every person who uses that argument, I have to say that any method that restricts personal freedoms (even if you personally are not directly affected) is WRONG. If people believe that the physical invasion of privacy is immoral then why is the technological equivalent acceptable? Why does the government need permission to go through the papers on your desk but the your files on the internet are fair game? It is the SAME THING. If you believe the internet is a completely open area and that you have nothing to hide then would you have a problem with anyone accessing your credit card numbers? bank account numbers? pictures of your children? Why is it okay for individuals, companies, governments to have access to the your most important data, the numbers ones that make up your IDENTITY?

WHY?

Digital Enclosure

He Who Enjoys Solitude Will Not Love Freedom pt 2

I did not immediately post on the initial readings for iSpy because I felt I needed to time to meditate (and frankly stew) over what I had read. While none of the overarching points made by Andrejevic came as a surprise, I was astonished as to the effect their condensed form had on me. I didn't really understand my feelings until after the class discussion. 

In all honesty, I was shocked at the majority of the class' response. Shocked that the same people who had, presumably, just read the same chapters I had, could act so blase when it came to their privacy (internet or otherwise). I am not one to stand on a soapbox and proclaim that "Big Brother is watching" and we all must rise against him, but I suppose I naively thought that people (especially politically aware students) would care more.

"Is being data mined really that bad?" Truth: the action of being data mined causes no direct effect or harm to your person. However, the data gathered whether it be shoe preferences or credit card numbers, could potentially used against you in the future. Sure those advertisements on the sides of your web browser don't pose a threat to your safety so much as an annoyance but they are merely the small visual reminders that anything and everything you do on the internet is being monitored. Maybe not directly but by recording everything from click streams to buying preferences the supposed "realm of free space" the internet is supposed to be quickly became one of the easiest platforms upo

n which to be surveilled. 

I was struck most when Prof. Dean had to resort to dramatic examples to make comparisons to internet surveillance that people could connect to. The thought of being followed around all day seemed preposterous to some but the idea of having every movement on the internet tracked was okay. Flipping through someone's planner to discover their future dates etc was an invasion of privacy but reading personal emails was not. I suppose I am lost as to why people fail to see the connection without making such obvious parallels. 

He Who Enjoys Solitude Will Not Love Freedom

Groups and Alliances and Coalitions...Oh My!

Whenever the issue concerning groups is posed to the entire class for comment, I feel as though we go 'round and 'round like dogs chasing our tails only to find out that at the end of the discussion we have neither caught the tail nor really discovered why we were chasing it in the first place. The quick success of the first group prompted many within the class to clamor for "groups all around" (not drinks for once). This led to an immediate separation between those who were eager for groups, those who absolutely hated the idea, and those trapped somewhere in the middle. The addition of more variables to the 'group conundrum' such as the distinction between basic course curriculum vs. final project and cohesive group (with singular blog) vs. loosely allied coalition made the issue that much broader and more difficult. From the conversation that arose from our forced groups from last class I have managed to distill the numerous possibilities to a few choice scenarios for group organization:

1. Cohesive group with 1 blog that everyone has access to where individual blogs are relinquished for the greater cause. (Just as the first group.)
2. Closely-knit group where personal blogs are obtained but access to group blog is available as well. 
3. Loosely arranged coalition where members have a "group blog" that is utilized in the same manor as Location F8, as a sounding board and general forum but all input is done via individual blogs. 
4. Tightly associated group of people who have no intention of working with other people.
   

These potential organizational designs would then have to be paired with one of the many various choices for content:

1. Daily work. Comment on class readings, class discussion, etc. Boring.
2. Daily work and some focused readings based on previously discussed topics of interest.
3. Daily work that is completely targeted to designated interest.
4. Final project only. May or may not be on previously discussed topics.
5. Final project and everything else. Spend the entire semester with small group. Yay?

So now all there is left to do is to come up with some winning combination. However, unlike the real lottery, the odds are better if you do play.