Your Smart Home has Already Trapped You in the Metaverse

Examining the impact of the Internet of Things and the potential for a future of total control.

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, envisions the metaverse as the next phase in our evolutionary journey, transforming us from a society driven by humans to one driven by technology.

“The term metaverse, like the term meritocracy, was coined in a sci-fi dystopia novel written as a cautionary tale. Then techies took metaverse, and technocrats took meritocracy, and enthusiastically adopted what was meant to inspire horror.”—Antonio García Martínez.

The metaverse operates as a dystopian meritocracy, where one's worthiness and compliance determine the conditions of their freedom. In this system, privileges are contingent on merit, and there is no room for individualism or independence. The principles of political correctness are enshrined in law and institutionalized, creating a restrictive environment that stifles true freedom. The extent to which one conforms to societal norms and expectations determines their ability to express themselves, engage in commerce, and participate in society.

We are approaching a stage where conformity and self-censorship are becoming necessary for even a semblance of freedom in our current world, where fascism masquerades as tolerance through virtue signaling. To navigate this landscape, individuals must voluntarily suppress their own beliefs, conform to societal norms, and align with prevailing views. Political correctness reigns supreme, and those who fail to comply risk being ostracized or silenced. In such an environment, freedom becomes a conditional construct, predicated on one's willingness to fall in line with the dominant ideologies of the time.

Failing to comply by expressing "dangerous" ideas or supporting unpopular political movements will result in being ostracized from commerce, employment, and society. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will ban or de-platform you, and your employer may issue ultimatums that force you to choose between economic survival and your so-called freedoms. This environment creates a chilling effect on free speech and reinforces conformity, as individuals must weigh the potential consequences of their actions before expressing their beliefs.

Corporate America aims to condition us to become unthinking, compliant automatons who are subservient to a Deep State governed by computer algorithms. This is their strategy for grooming individuals to function in a world where critical thinking and resistance are discouraged, and blind obedience is encouraged. In this way, they seek to maintain control over the masses and establish a society where the interests of the ruling elite are prioritized above those of the people.

How Our Addiction to Technology is Turning Us into Mindless Cyborgs

Two decades following the release of The Wachowskis' seminal film, The Matrix, we find ourselves on the brink of a similar reality. In this futuristic world, humanity exists in a computer-simulated non-reality controlled by authoritarian machines. Similar to the iconic blue pill and red pill choice, individuals must decide between accepting a comforting but false virtual reality or facing the difficult truths of real life. However, in our current reality, we are approaching a technologically dominated matrix that we ourselves have created.

Each day we move closer to the events depicted in The Matrix as we increasingly fall under the sway of technologically driven virtual communities, realities, and conveniences. These are managed by artificially intelligent machines that are rapidly supplanting humans and have the potential to dominate all aspects of our existence based on elitist beliefs and wills. We are living through a prequel to the film, as we become more dependent on these machines and our virtual lives become more integrated with our physical ones. The danger is that we may one day become enslaved by the very technology we created, just as in The Matrix.

In The Matrix, we follow the story of Thomas Anderson, a.k.a. Neo, a computer programmer turned hacker, who is awakened from a virtual slumber by the freedom fighter Morpheus. Morpheus seeks to liberate humanity from a lifelong state of hibernation imposed by hyper-advanced artificial intelligence machines that rely on humans as an organic power source. Unfortunately, most humans are too busy living in their perfectly crafted virtual reality to realize that they are living in an artificial dream world.

Neo is faced with a crucial decision: take the red pill, wake up, and join the resistance, or take the blue pill, remain asleep, and continue serving as fodder for the powers-that-be.

The majority of people choose the blue pill, preferring to remain in their blissful ignorance rather than confront the harsh realities of the world.

We live in an age of unprecedented technological advancement, where we are constantly bombarded by a dizzying array of electronic gadgets and conveniences, each promising to make our lives easier and more efficient. From social media platforms to streaming services, from smart home devices to wearable technology, we are surrounded by a world of seamless connectivity and instant gratification.

The allure of these modern conveniences is undeniable. They offer us the promise of increased productivity, greater convenience, and instant access to a wealth of information and entertainment. However, as we increasingly rely on these technologies to navigate our daily lives, we run the risk of becoming trapped in a digital matrix of our making.

While these technologies were initially designed to serve us, we have now reached a point where we serve them. The lines between our virtual and physical realities are becoming increasingly blurred, as we cede more and more control over our lives to these omnipresent technologies. We have become so reliant on our smartphones, iPads, and other devices that we can no longer imagine life without them.

In this way, the blue pill has been honey-coated to hide the bitter aftertaste. We have been sold on the idea that these technologies are necessary for our survival in a fast-paced, hyper-connected world. But in reality, they are slowly but surely leading us down a path towards a life sentence in an electronic concentration camp.

The irony is that we have willingly surrendered our freedom to these technologies that were meant to make our lives easier. We have become enslaved by them, unable to break free from their grip. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves trapped in a digital dystopia, where our every move is monitored and controlled by artificial intelligence and where our very existence is determined by the whims of our technological overlords.

Welcome to the Technological Tyranny

Take a moment to observe your surroundings. Almost everyone you see is glued to their internet-connected devices, be it smartphones, tablets, computers, or televisions. For hours on end, they immerse themselves in a virtual world where human interaction is filtered through the medium of technology.

But let's not mistake this addiction for freedom or progress. Instead, it is a form of technological tyranny that has us in its grip. This tyranny is enforced by the surveillance state, corporate behemoths like Google and Facebook, and government spy agencies such as the National Security Agency. Their all-seeing eyes track our every move, collecting data on our every click and keystroke to build a detailed profile of our lives, our thoughts, and our desires.

As we willingly surrender our privacy, our personal information, and our autonomy to these entities, we find ourselves trapped in a web of control from which there appears to be no escape. The promise of convenience and efficiency that these technologies once held has given way to an insidious form of oppression, one that seeks to turn us into mindless automatons, blindly obedient to the will of our technological overlords.

Our infatuation with the latest technologies has blinded us to the potential consequences of our reckless pursuit of a world where our dependence on internet-connected devices is shaping us for a future devoid of true freedom.

The threat is not limited to the loss of our freedom. Our very humanity is at stake. If we allow ourselves to be shackled by the tyrants of technology, it will be our own doing. Our complacency, indolence, and over-reliance on internet-connected gadgets and gizmos will have played a significant role in rendering us obsolete. We must take heed and recognize that our future depends on our willingness to break free from this cycle of addiction before it's too late.

We are hurtling towards a future that eerily resembles the world envisioned by Philip K. Dick in the film Minority Report. Law enforcement agencies in that world apprehend criminals before they even commit a crime, and driverless cars dominate the highways. People's biometric data is constantly scanned and exploited to track their every move, target them for advertising, and keep them under perpetual surveillance. It's a world where privacy is non-existent and individual freedom is a distant memory.

Where Convenience and Surveillance Meet

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought us to a new era where virtually everything in our lives is connected to the internet. From our smartphones, watches, and cars to our home appliances, security systems, and even our medical devices. These internet-connected “things” are designed to make our lives more convenient, efficient, and hassle-free.

However, the price we pay for this convenience is our privacy and autonomy. The more these devices collect data about us, the more they learn about our habits, preferences, and vulnerabilities. This data is then used to not only control and manipulate our behavior, but also to track our movements and predict our actions.

For example, your smart refrigerator may monitor your food consumption and automatically order groceries for you. Your smart thermostat may adjust the temperature based on your habits and preferences. Your smartwatch may track your fitness and health data and share it with your doctor. All of this may seem harmless, but it also means that these devices are constantly gathering information about us, building a profile that can be used for targeted advertising, surveillance, and control.

The IoT also raises concerns about security and the potential for these devices to be hacked or compromised, leading to serious breaches of privacy and safety. The more devices we connect to the internet, the more vulnerable we become to cyberattacks and surveillance.

While smart home devices like doorbells may seem innocuous, it's important to consider the cost of their convenience. With their notoriously shady privacy policies and lack of security, these devices may put your personal information and privacy at risk. In fact, they may even grant cyber criminals easy access to your home network and all connected devices. As such, it's vital to weigh the trade-offs before installing such devices and consider alternative surveillance solutions, like creating a personal surveillance network with data stored on a home server. Additionally, setting up a separate Wi-Fi network for these devices can help to mitigate security risks.

The Internet of Things promises to make our lives easier and more convenient, but at what cost? As we continue to give up more and more of our privacy and autonomy in exchange for convenience, we must ask ourselves whether we are willing to sacrifice our freedom and individuality for the sake of technology.

Soon, we will witness a world where almost every object, from the mundane to the extraordinary, will be embedded with sensors and connected to the internet, creating a vast network of intercommunicating devices. According to estimates, the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in use globally reached 22 billion by the end of 2018. Industry forecasts predict that this number will more than double by 2030, reaching approximately 50 billion. From our smartphones to household appliances, cars, and even furniture, the proliferation of connected devices will be ubiquitous, leading to a fully connected world where our every move and action is monitored, analyzed, and potentially controlled.

The rapid proliferation of internet-connected devices, from mundane household objects to critical medical equipment, has been staggering. With advances in technology, these devices have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent in our lives. Experts estimate that 127 new IoT devices are connected to the internet every second, creating a massive network of interconnected devices.

This exponential growth has led to the emergence of the IoT industry as a major societal transformation, akin to the Industrial Revolution in its impact on technology and culture. In fact, it is expected to usher in a new era of automation and connectivity, transforming the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. However, with this revolution comes a new set of challenges and risks, including privacy concerns, security threats, and the potential for abuse by corporations and governments.

We are hurtling towards a future where science fiction may no longer be fiction. With technologies such as driverless cars lacking steering wheels, accelerators, or brake pedals, and smart pills that contain computer chips, sensors, cameras and robots, we are on the brink of surpassing the imaginations of great sci-fi writers like Philip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov. It's important to note, however, that the term "driverless car" is a bit of a misnomer, since someone or something will be doing the driving, but it definitely won't be you.

Who doesn’t want their Coffee Maker Judge their Sleep Patterns?

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought us an array of internet-connected technological marvels, from smart light bulbs that simulate occupancy and ward off burglars, to smart thermostats that adjust your home's temperature according to your daily routine, to smart doorbells that allow you to see who's at the door without even getting up from the couch.

Google's Nest, a leading provider of smart home technology, has been a driving force in the "connected" industry. Nest offers a range of technologically advanced conveniences, such as a smart lock that communicates with your thermostat, learning who is home, what temperatures they prefer, and when your home is empty. Additionally, Nest provides a home phone service that interacts with your connected devices to learn your comings and goings, and it alerts you if your children don't return home on time. Nest's sleep system can monitor when you fall asleep, when you wake up, and even adjust the noise and temperature of your house to create an optimal sleeping environment. These are just a few examples of how Nest's suite of smart home products can make your life more efficient and streamlined.

According to Nest, the purpose of these internet-connected devices is to create a "thoughtful and conscious home". For instance, your car can signal to your home automation system that you are on your way back, and Hue lights can blink on and off if Nest Protect detects an emergency. Moreover, your coffee maker can make a stronger pot of coffee for you if it receives data from your fitness and sleep sensors indicating that you had a restless night. These devices use data to anticipate your needs, providing you with the comfort and convenience of a personalized and automated lifestyle.

With the rapid pace of technological development, it's only a matter of time before internet-connected devices start operating autonomously, without human intervention. This development brings about new concerns that we must consider. As technology expert Nicholas Carr points out, autonomous robots and software programs will eventually encounter morally challenging situations that statistical models cannot resolve. This challenge will apply to self-driving cars, self-flying drones, battlefield robots, and even automated lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners, which already operate with some degree of autonomy. As we continue to develop these technologies, we must consider the ethical implications of creating devices that can make independent decisions and act on their own accord.

Consider the example of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, which is unable to distinguish between a dust bunny and a living creature. Similarly, weaponized drones could struggle to differentiate between a fleeing criminal and an innocent bystander. And what about robotic law enforcement officers, such as the Atlas android being developed by the Pentagon, which has been programmed to respond to any perceived threat with force? These scenarios raise serious concerns about the role and responsibility of autonomous machines in society.

Blurring of the Boundary between Thought and Action

As we progress into the connected age, it's not just our homes and personal devices that are being transformed; it's our workplaces, health systems, government, bodies, and even our innermost thoughts that are being integrated into a network beyond our control. In fact, it's predicted that by 2030, we will experience The Internet of Senses (IoS), enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), 5G, and automation. The IoS will rely on connected technology interacting with our senses of sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch by utilizing the brain as the interface.

It is widely anticipated that the year 2030 will usher in a new era where the boundary between thought and action will become increasingly blurred. In fact, according to a recent survey, many consumers (59%) expect that virtual reality (VR) glasses will allow them to see map routes simply by thinking of a destination. By then, technology will be capable of not only reading our thoughts, but also sharing them with others. This means that keyboards, mice, game controllers, and other traditional user interfaces could become obsolete as the brain serves as the new interface for digital devices. In fact, smartphones could potentially function without touch screens, as users would only need to think of commands for them to be executed.

Several trends related to the IoS are expected to become a reality by 2030:

1. The IoS will allow thoughts to become action, such as seeing map routes on VR glasses by simply thinking of a destination.

2. Users will be able to mimic anyone's voice realistically enough to fool even family members, as sounds become an extension of virtual reality.

3. A sensory device for the mouth could digitally enhance any food, making real food secondary to imagined tastes.

4. The IoS will also project smells, allowing users to experience all the natural smells of virtual places.

5. Smartphones will convey the shape and texture of digital icons and buttons through touch, creating a "total touch" experience.

6. VR game worlds will merge with physical reality, becoming indistinguishable by 2030.

The alluring idea of the metaverse being sold to us as the solution to all our needs is a dangerous trap. It promises convenience, success, entertainment and happiness, but it's a false promise. The true objective is to gain total control over us.

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In George Orwell's 1984, he paints a dystopian picture of a society under complete control, where any thoughts that go against the corporate state are forbidden. The society lacks personal freedom, and technology is used to enforce surveillance on citizens. Spies and cameras are ubiquitous, and the Thought Police actively monitor and punish those who commit thought crimes. The government, referred to as “the Party”, is led by Big Brother, whose face and ominous slogan, "Big Brother is watching you," are ubiquitous throughout the society.

As we move closer to a world where technology is integrated with our senses and thoughts, we must be cautious of the potential dangers it brings. The Metaverse promises us a new form of entertainment and convenience, but we must not forget the lessons of history. George Orwell's 1984 warned us about the dangers of a society under total control, and the Metaverse has the potential to become just that. As we continue to develop and integrate technology into our lives, we must remember to prioritize personal freedom and privacy, and to be vigilant against any attempt to use technology as a tool for oppression and control. The Metaverse is not an exciting prospect, but something we must reject fiercely.

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