Privacy versus Convenience

I spent time researching webcam covers for my devices. Go ahead and say it, "reads Edward Snowden once." Anyways, the problem is that my smartphone and laptop both use facial recognition and well..these things completely block the sensors (which are outside of and on either-side of the camera). So I could get one of these things, but then I have to permanently give up my facial recognition - even when it's convenient. Which made me realize how easy it was to sacrifice my own privacy for convenience. The smartphones we carry have the batteries secured and built in. We almost never turn off our devices and even if we do turn them off, they're never truly off. The apps are always running and always sending information. And even if we cover the camera, our mics are always hot. So at all times we are broadcasting our location, recording our voices as well as our faces and every app/program/third-party is happily storing and collecting this data for consumption. To consume. To continually make happy consumers. At the same time, we willingly are giving away more than anyone needs to know through social media. We freely share our thoughts and ideas. Hell, I'm typing this here and broadcasting it in a public domain for all to see. So who cares, why should we care, what can we even do? Can't even pretend to half-ass care by covering my webcam with one of these fucking covers, because I don't want to give up my facial recognition. I like that my devices auto-dim, I love that the screen magically unlocks. I like being connected online and having a place to share thoughts. Hook, line, and sinker.

The more time I spend in front of a screen, the more time I realize I need to get away from it all.

Stop Crying to Daddy

Jane has a problem. She can’t handle temptation. If she sees a sweet treat, she will indulge. She’s unhealthy, gaining weight and now she has diabetes.

Jane’s mother is frustrated. She blames the stores for putting the candy in the checkout aisle. She blames the TV for advertising those tasty morsels. Jane’s mother blames everyone and everything, but Jane.

Jane’s mother is helpless, she doesn’t know what to do. So she goes to the mayor, she speaks and she demands that we ban those tasty treats.

The tasty treats are banned and now they will no longer be in the checkout aisles, nor will they be in the commercials or television programs. Jobs are lost. Other citizens who were responsible are no longer allowed to enjoy those tasty treats. And Jane isn’t cured nor is she saved.

Before long, Jane finds a new addiction, something else that is once again in those commercials, and in the checkout aisles of the grocery. Jane’s mother once again blames everything else, but her daughter. Zero accountability for Jane nor her mother, it’s the world’s fault.

Jane’s mother demands that we not only ban this new thing, but she now demands that we stop placing anything in the checkout aisle without consulting the board. In fact she ask for the government to regulate all the aisles and she ask the government to control and regulate what is being broadcasted on television.

I could keep this going, but I think we get the point. This is how I feel every time I see people crying to the government and asking them to get involved and limit and control, prohibit things.

Yes the public has a right to be informed of the dangers and risk involved, but it should be the individuals decision on what they wish to indulge in. Our body, our choice?

Some people can’t handle their liquor, this doesn’t mean it should be taken from everyone else. Some people can’t handle technology, this doesn’t mean it should be taken from everyone else.

Some people can’t handle violence, swearing, nudity, and the list goes on..Is it really fair to pretend these things don’t exist, to prohibit them, and then just pray they will magically go away?

The issue is accountability. The issue is education. People need to take responsibility for themselves and stop crying to the government. Stop asking the government to get involved and take things away. Period.

Plumb

There once was a hardworking plumber. A workaholic, devoted to his family. He was not only eager to make ends meet, but madly driven to keep his princess happy.

Until his routine was disrupted...

See on more than one occasion this poor plumber bumped his head. For he was always working in tight spaces, in and around pipes of all sizes and his only form of "protection," was a blue and red baseball cap.

Some will blame the mushrooms he constantly ate and others will point to the endless concussions he acquired. But his true unhinging began when he lost his princess.

For in his mind, this plumber began to travel. He traversed through pipes to new worlds and battled prehistoric monsters. He was still working for his princess, it was all in the name of the princess.

But everywhere he went, she was nowhere to be found. In place of her there was always a note. And the message was always the same, the same as the one he had discovered the first time she had left.

"Our princess is in another castle."