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Data – does it control us?

By Alice Wang

Technology is growing

fast as

our want for

increases.convenience

Search engines track our keystrokes to

present us with the searches we want

Online streaming providers

track what

we watch to suggest things

we may like –and even make

a tv showbased on it

Smartphones and social networks allow our

family and friends to track our every movement

And we love the attention,

addictedto an ever-changing world.

People fearthat we are moving towards a Big Brother society – where we have no

freedom

Where data of our past

and experiences will be used

to predict and control our

future

lives

But will we allow such a thing? Is it

even possible?

It is

human natureto desire freedom

Trends sharply rise and fall

because we never knew we wanted something…

Until we come up with it

Previous generations were perfectly

content with what they had because ambitionsfor more advanced technology didn’t

exist

Many horrific

sci-fis were

created when technology first took off

But something completely

different has come to pass,

for better or for worse

Data cannot control us or our lives.

Life has a way of

surprisingus instead.

Whether it

be wonderful

Or traumatic

We change and adapt in ways that

cannot be

predictedeven by close family

and friends

And most of all, we have the

compassion that will help guide us to a

world where everyone is equal and connected

and not ruled over

Data is powerful –but it is still

only a tool

Whether it hinders or helps our growth is up

to us. The power is in

our hands.

Let’s make the most of it.

Photo Credit• Ian https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian-s/2152798588

• Mike K https://www.flickr.com/photos/hackingnetflix/3750763209

• Alexandra MacAaron http://womensvoicesforchange.org/netflixs-house-of-cards-kevin-spacey-fascinating-villain.htm

• Diversion Geek http://www.diversiongeek.com/2011/10/descargar-facebook-para-ipad.html

• APPLEFORYOU http://www.theappleforyou.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

• Kathleen Donovan https://www.flickr.com/photos/kdonovan_gaddy/4314365065/

• Jason Ilagen https://www.flickr.com/photos/thepen/68811124

• Elif Ayiter https://www.flikr.com/photos/alpha_auer/5068482201

• Felipe Skroski https://www.flickr.com/photos/felipeskroski/319925301

• JD Hancock https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/3948724485

• Ätin https://www.flickr.com/photos/atin800/4968948620

• AllBum.art http://www.allbum.it/index.php?m=11&y=13&entry=entry131122-051024

• Will Lion https://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/3099454327

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• ilovebutter https://www.flikr.com/photos/jdickert/305722372

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• OpenClips http://pixabay.com/en/artificial-intelligence-155161/

• Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terminator.JPG

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• Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_robot

• Allan Foster https://www.flickr.com/photos/foshydog/4623322334

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• Alex Leung https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2695066602

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• Enricoagostoni http://enricoagostoni.deviantart.com/art/V-for-Vendetta-wallpaper-128599987?q=&qo=#skins

• Viewminder https://www.flickr.com/photos/light_seeker/5614340554

• David Melchor Diaz https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmelchordiaz/6301987888