Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Irene Ng and David Reynolds talk about privacy and ownership in the digital age.
Key Points:
- Data are “Facts that can be analyzed or used in an effort to gain knowledge or make decisions.” These days, “data” usually refers to person information about internet searches and purchases we make.
- When we sign End User Agreements with social media companies, apps, and search engines, part of the fine print is that we give those companies rights to our data.
- We now live in a “digital world” where much of our lives can be seen digitally. There may not be cameras in our homes (yet!) but with enough data, companies can gain a sense of how we live our lives… even to the minutest details.
- People must be thoughtful and intentional about their online activities until a solution arises. Until then, essentially everything we do online is being recorded for companies to use in better selling their products.
Quote This:
We live in a world where data belongs to those who collect it.
See Also: Culture, Social Media, Technology
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What are some of the great things about the Internet? What are some of the drawbacks?
- “Much of our lives can be seen digitally now.” Explain this statement. How does it make you feel?
- Who is the most paranoid person you know when it comes to stuff like this? Where do you fall on the spectrum? Explain.
- “To understand meaning, data has to be contextualized.” Explain this statement in your own words, and give an example of it in your own life.
- What do you think is the future of “big data?” Explain.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
