Your life is an open book

Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

We should also remember the difference between capable and implemented.

"I knew I was crazy when I read the book:"You are what you eat." "said the squirrel.

It's an open book that sits on the shelf unread, unnoticed and just gathering dust...

Time to pause the rate hikes....

No, no, no, no. For that attenuated statement I'm charging you double.

I was concerned about this when I recently purchased a new 'smart' TV, but what can you do?

I would love to disable the microphone, if it has one. The question is how?

Most of my other stuff is either old, or in the case of my computers, I built them myself.

Some of the newer smart tv's have an option buried deep in the menus,not readily accessible. Even if you disable it in the menu,you really don't know it is disabled.It could still be listening and the menu selection is just there to appease some customers.

Aside from that,your speaker can be used as a microphone,as well as any other speakers,or led's in your house.

There is no refuge from prying ears and eyes anymore unless you are totally off the grid,which is now nearly impossible.

2 hundred years ago,people did it but the skills required to do that now is very rare.

It was a tough life by today's standards.We are hooked on technology,and there is no escape.

If a person followed your vehicle every where you went, and entered your home without permission,listened and recorded every conversation in the house,went into every room of your house,recorded video and stored in in a permanent memory bank,that would be called stalking,invasion of privacy,Peeping Tom,etc.,yet governments and private enterprises are doing it for profit.

"Legal" is different for every state and country,and the rules are constantly changing.

My wife covers the camera on her iPad with a bandaid…

I have seen pole dancers like that...

All new appliances have a wireless connection to the net.Smart TV's can record and transmit all sound from any room it is in,and possible the entire house.Roomba can be equipped with camera(s).

a year ago, we were shopping for a new refrigerator… and looking at the store display models, there were refrigerators that had an actually TV in the door, with a 4-5,000 price tag…

I remember growing up, and in the evening watching with the family the movie of the week… I could not understand the TV in the refrigerator door.

" I could not understand the TV in the refrigerator door."

It's so you can watch what you eat....

I came from an era where dinner time, as a family, we talked, joked, laughed, made fun of other siblings and conversed on what happened during the day around the dinner table while we ate.

but if watching TV is that important as an adult… you’re still 7 years old with too much di$posalable income.

You could put one of those "healers" on the tv 24/7 and cast out the demons from your food....

You could loop a video of '1000 lb sisters' as a weight loss plan....

You could play videos of the recipe while you cook, and keep your laptop safe...

Lol… yes… I wasn’t thinking out for the box…

IMHO:

Prehistoric humans gathered around a fire and told tales of hunting,spirits,and the families stayed together for protection and mutual benefit.

As time progressed,radio became the focal point of families,as they gathered around the radio and listened to world news(which only lasted 30 minutes),and listened to entertaining programs,like Fibber McGee and Molly,War of the Worlds,Lone Ranger,etc.

Then came TV,black and white at first,and families still gathered around together to watch and be entertained.These devices united families and kept them close.

Then came the net and cell phones,and now people go to family reunions and hardly look at each other,everyone absorbed in a game on their phone.

The net has become the great divider of families.

A thousand "friends" on FactBook,and none of them would get out on a stormy night to help you if your car broke down.

If you have one true blue genuine friend, that would drive 300 miles with a trailer to haul your broken down truck back home,and refuse any efforts to pay him,you are lucky.

Having many "'friends" is over rated,unless you are a politician,which in itself is a painful position to be in:They must straddle the fence,while keeping both feet on the ground,and remain level headed.

Then the question becomes, are we evolving, or regression.

as far as friends… I agree. I’ve found I rather have a few friends (one for sure) and maybe 2 more at different levels where they’re there for me depending on the level when needed, and vise-a-versa.

as far as straddling the fence… I know of, which I’ll call them aquantes that will sit on the and watch, and depend8ng on the out come will either say,

”you shouldn’t of done that” or “I knew it would work out”

it comes down to there are only two (2) kinds people in the world, one that does things,

and the other that sits on the fence and gives a post-mortem report on what you did.

There's more information on FaceAche than the Staasi ever had on the citizens of former East Germany.

The differences are:

1. all of it has been contributed voluntarily, and
2. the number of people giving a damn.

IMHO:

If things continue to evolve as is usually the case,all conversations, even private ones will be recorded,screened for content,and used against the citizens.

If a person fails the "good citizen parameters",their bank account can be frozen,unable to use a credit card,buy food,or gas,or get electricity to heat or cool with.

It is currently impossible to monitor over 8 billion people's conversations, so filter nets will look for key words and phrases with the help of AI and select them for further monitoring and possible action.

Natural rebels will be eliminated from the gene pool to achieve a totally obedient population that will have value only as consumers.

"Contented cows(or sheep) give better milk."..unknown source,but probably a milk commercial.

G. Orwell was an optimist in my opinion.

Even he could not imagine the reality of the possible future.

A friend,who has a PhD in psychology told me a good dog was as good as any therapist,and I believe him.

I have a good dog.