Personal Diaries

In good old days, youngsters used to pen their daily experiences in much coveted personal diaries. Some did it for the sake of it; others found writing as the perfect vent for their oozing thoughts. In today’s world, diaries have transformed into digital space. Except, these are not personal. Far from it.

Blogs, posts, discussion forums seem to be everywhere for everyone. Actually, even these seem outdated. People want to tweet – “publish” – and “follow” – what they ate two minutes ago, and which pizza corner they ordered from. Sure it’s a cool thing to share with your family, friends, or may be colleagues. And sure, it is dream come true data for marketers. Now they know what time a pizza ad should air on your iPhone.

Apparently, people want to stay connected. As with any such new technology, one of the first thing that crosses my mind is privacy and security concerns. You can write something stupid and your boss can read it. Or you may be a youngster publishing details about your road trips, only to be preyed by solicitors. Whether that is a valid concern or not, I try to think in terms of an analogy.

Few years ago, people were shy in giving out their credit card numbers for internet commerce. The fear was someone could steal and use them for personal buying. Smart web retailers like Amazon calmed their users by breaking the online buying into two steps. Customers did the research, filled their shopping carts and placed their orders as the first step. They felt comfortable doing so. Second step was to provide sensitive information -- credit card numbers, for which users called a phone number and talked to a human. Gradually, people became comfortable providing card numbers online and skipped the second step.

Today, some people may have similar concerns about privacy, perhaps only for a short-term. Such “reluctants” may only be sharing – if at all – non-personal stuff sparing intimate details for in person talk. But it is only a matter of time when they’ll skip the second step -- if they haven't already. In today’s world, our bank accounts, credit card numbers, social security numbers – all are floating somewhere. We have definitely past the second step.

But have we shared everything? May be not. Services like twitter still operate in the text world. People still have to volunteer the information. Then there is all this information that we give out "involuntarily." For example, what songs do we listen to and at what time, or what websites we visit and how often, is all recorded. I put involuntarily in quotes as we do accept the terms and conditions of all the services that we use, even if we do not read them line by line. Even if we try, yawns take over and we quickly scroll to the bottom to quickly click on "I Accept" buttons.

The result is a new kind of market place. There, our email addresses are sold in megabytes; bank details by the dozen, and … you get the idea. Continuous evolution of technology will enable us to share even more about ourselves. Blogs and YouTube are probably dated information. Twitter like billboards are probably up-to-date, but it still is a lot of text. Next, we will be sharing live video about ourselves. Youngsters in love will find that very appealing.

May be there is a merit in this abundance of shared information. Companies like Google can spot trends and find what people are up to. It knows which regions have more flu patients than others. Similar analyses can be and is being done on online trends and used to determine what people do -- or would like to do. As I ponder about my weekend, may be I should ask Google what I should be doing. But it may ask me what I ate yesteday. Or which pizza place do I go to. I always wonder how gen-xers feel comfortable publishing all bits of information about themselves. May be I am getting old.

The new license plate

Note: this article is based on fiction.



The voter turnout in South Carolina has been amazing, though its not clear if Mike Clinton got the much anticipated hispanic votes. Clinton and the likes will have to wait for the DNA reports to find that out. Physical looks no longer reveal one's race -- thanks to iChoose(TM).

iChoose technology has transformed the way we live today. People no longer live with the looks they were born with; instead, they now chose their own looks. The company has commercialized the projection-based gamma rays technology to appeal to masses. No expensive cosmetic surgeries, no pills, just few mouse clicks in a photoshop and you can walk away with a new look. The Inderlok based company has revolutionized the way we chose our looks -- or avatars -- and how easily we illusion ourselves into a new set of physical attributes.

The company offers a basic plan of $490/ month, that allows simple changes like complexion, nose shape, hair color, etc. The basic plan has been immensely popular with the younger kids -- who have little control over money -- but has prompted legal action against the company due to lawsuits filed by some parents. Youth, on the other hand, has been the company's favorite. The company charges exorbitantly for advanced plans that offer changes in body shape and custom shaped organs.

The company has actively partnered with online dating sites which are now able to suggest physical profiles based on a user's dating history. "Such synergistic partnerships are key to our growth in the following years," says Narada, the company's CEO, and continues "Never before had we thought that job sites like nomster will approach us. Every one, including job seekers, wants to look better."

The company has rekindled the once hot topic of racism. With virtually everyone being i-"changed", one can longer guess anyone's race. With identity concealing comes confusion. Are there clear patterns of what complexion are people chosing? The company spokesperson refues to divulge any details -- "We fully respect our customers' privacy."

One company that is furious about iChange is Facebooks. "People no longer are interested in our site, face -- as they say now -- is fake," accepts the company's spokesperson. The product has made social life more complex. Companies are complaining about workers productivity as they find it difficult to work with their peers who frequently changes their looks. Moms are anxious waiting at bus stops as they are not sure in what looks would their kid return.

Amidst all this, the federal government is proposing that everyone must clearly display one's identity -- at all times. Would that be the "new license plate" that we hang around our neck? Will it have an expiration date?