Sunday, August 12, 2007

Citizen 123456: You didn't update your landlord's phone number. You will be arrested.

And the technology take-over of the world continues.....police surveillance cameras being installed in streets is old news now, but starting this month, China is issuing electronic cards to help them keep tabs on citizens in Shenzhen, a city of 12.4 million people. These cards will have computer chips which will record all of the following data: the citizen’s name and address, work history, educational background, religion, ethnicity, police record, medical insurance status, landlord’s phone number and last but not least (I was waiting to read when this would come up as the article progressed, given China's strict one-child per family policy) even personal reproductive history. It doesn't stop there. The article states that 'Plans are being studied to add credit histories, subway travel payments and small purchases charged to the card.'

Good. In a few more months, maybe the number of times they go to the bathroom will be logged too. %$#@@^&*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every two or three days I find myself blogging about some technology-related article or the other and I say 'That's it. This is the end of the world as we know it'. I'm learning better now. There IS no 'end' to this technology explosion drama. I'm just going to shut up and blog quietly!

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