Commodities For Me

I think in such a financially-driven society, the most valuable type of data to the most people is information that lets companies know who is going to buy a specific item, when they’re likely to buy it, and the likelihood of new items to sell. With this data, companies can predict trends and create the “next big thing” with such a specific formula, they are sure to make millions. Just look at the Selfie Stick; originally a joke, it has now made enormous profits in a very short amount of time. Similar to what the entrepreneur did with the Selfie Stick, if I had access to this data, I would constantly be trying to make the “next big thing.” I would also try to use the algorithms from the data to figure out the optimal way to communicate with the average internet user the realities and urgency of climate change and perhaps sell products less harmful to the planet.

I think every company feels justified in what they’re taking for their commodities, though many criminals in jail could probably justify their actions as well. Whether they are justified or not, it has become the status quo and there is no “free lunch” as they say. Because I love all the perks of the internet and social media, I am willing to pay their toll and it makes sense that they would use their creation to benefit them even further financially. Especially in the United States, companies have made it clear that the priority, regardless of its impacts, is making money. So why would a company with the ability to enhance their business even further not do so? Some would say that for moral reasons, they shouldn’t collect data we’re not willing to give away, but it’s no different than one of us standing in the brickyard tallying how many people put cans in the trash versus the recycling bin. The data they collect is essentially just hyper-personalized, mass observations.

Because I know the evils of Facebook Messenger, I don’t have it on my phone. However, I’m constantly clicking on links on Facebook, Google searching any insignificant question I have, and playing with the Minesweeper app like it’s my job. Because of this, it’s very easy to summarize me and put me in a data bubble. Because I use my phone for more than just social media, I’m contributing even more data; every time I ask Siri the score of the game or if it is safe for dogs to eat burritos, the people who own the commodities I’m using can add me as another statistic. Because of this, I think my internet searches are the most useful to companies; they get the most out of it because I don’t do much on social media besides scroll and when I play games on my phone, I’m typically by myself, meaning that even if they’re accessing my microphone and camera, all they’ll gather is my breathing and a pretty sweet double chin.