Niche Praxis

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The rise of “the Googles,” MicroSoft, Yahoo and social networks like Facebook are by design, not accident. What a great tool to amass a global database that includes all essential information of virtually all of humanity. Think about it.

Medical records are already in databases as are employment records, military service records, educational levels, political leanings, everything. Somewhere in a basement your whole existence is at the fingertips of those who would manipulate you via your demographic profile.

Consider this newest technology that is being introduced – eye scans. You will be tracked instantly by every move you make. Big Brother will know when you are home, at work, at the doctors office, playing golf or buying underwear at WallyWorld. There will be no where left to hide.

Several years ago there was a huge initiative to electronically brand all livestock in this country with a chip to track them through their life cycle – from farm to table. All under the facade of mad cow disease.

I have to wonder now if that was not an attempt to “field test” this coming technology for its effectiveness in “tagging” the human race. A test run to iron out the bugs before seamlessly integrating this eye scan thing into a tracking system for the global population.

Marketers are already conniving on how to manipulate this new technology to garner more sales. How much more effective would marketing be if it could be marketed to individuals instead of demographic groups?

Google already does this. But unless you are paying close attention, you probably don’t even notice it, it is so subtle. But I challenge you to pay a bit more attention to what you see when surfing around the Web.

Google has your personal interests recorded from the information you gave them voluntarily. They also know where you go when you surf. By collating all their data on you, they can almost pinpoint what your key interests are and make sure those types of ads appear on the pages you visit.

Ever wondered why, after you visited the ABC Skin Cream site, you seem to see ads for ABC Skin Cream all over the Net? That is no accident, but the direct result of Google tailoring a marketing campaign specifically to you – via your pc, laptop or mobile device.

Let’s take this one step further. These scanners work at a distance in milliseconds. What’s to prevent marketers from scanning your eyes as you drive down the road and adjust digital signage you are passing to display ads for ABC Skin Cream as you pass by? Or political ads for their preferred candidate that closest fits your demographics?

They know what you want before you do.

Is it any stretch to think the powers that be will not exploit this same capability to get you to respond in certain ways to what they want? I think not. Subliminal messaging has been used for years in stores to create what appear to be “impulse buys.” Yes, we are being brainwashed, I think.

I bet Orwell is rolling over in his grave laughing and saying, “I told you so.”

Oh well, off to the Dollar Store to buy a case of tin foil. I can almost guarantee they will up the wattage on the “thought rays” aimed at my house tonight…you know how they are!

Until next time: market smarter, not harder.

Mike Lawson
Niche Praxis