From 304a48925e059c5b0efaa74a79fb6da2ffa3c16a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Kumar Damani Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2022 11:36:29 -0400 Subject: routine updates --- self-host.html | 101 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------ 1 file changed, 58 insertions(+), 43 deletions(-) diff --git a/self-host.html b/self-host.html index 990386c..1808ed8 100644 --- a/self-host.html +++ b/self-host.html @@ -12,84 +12,100 @@

Why do I self-host?

Digital freedom/independence

-

To put it simply, I do not want to depend on the existence of corp. X for data that is important to me. - Many things could happen to corp. X such that your data could become inaccessible or worse: +

+ To put it simply, if you use another service to store your data, you do not own it. + You are trusting corp. X to store it, secure it, and make it accessible to you. + Beyond the obvious privacy pitfalls with this trust, there are many other things that + could go wrong with your data being stored this way:

- I have a lifetime's worth of file, photos, media, passwords etc. and I 💤 much better at night knowing - I am avoiding most if not all of the risks above. +

+

+ Personally, I don't feel comfortable depending on the existence of corp. X for data that is important to + me. + I have a lifetime's worth of files, photos, media, passwords etc. and I 💤 much better at night knowing + I am avoiding most if not all of the risks above.

Privacy at the population level

-

I am often asked some variation of: + +

Normies often ask me some variation of:

+
- To such questions, I would pose the counter question: + To such questions, I respond with the following question:

- Do we have a moral responsibily to ensure we leave the world in a better state than we inherit, - or the very least, not in a worse state? + Do you want to contribute to a dystopian (Orwellian) future?

- If your answer is no, then no need to read further, the following will not change your mind. + If your answer is yes, then no need to read further, the following will not change your mind.

- If your answer is yes, but you aren't convinced that these are related, + If your answer is no, but you aren't convinced that/how these are related, then the argument goes something like this...

- We live in a world of mass data collection/survailence.
- This enables corp. X to use ML (Machine Learning) techniques to build/train AI (Artificial Intelligence) - models that aim to predict human behaviour.
- That in and of itself is not my cause for concern here.
+ We live in a world of mass data-collection/surveillance.
+ This enables corp. X to use techniques such as ML (Machine Learning) to build/train models (or "AI" - + Artificial Intelligence) + that aim to predict human behaviour.
+ That by itself is not a problem here.
The problems arise when corp. X use these techniques for profit - without regard for the harm they cause at a population level (intentionally or not).
- I have unfortunately lived through enough of these cases to be able to cite a few recent examples of this: + without regard for the harm they cause at a population level.
+ I have unfortunately lived through enough of these cases to be able to cite a few recent examples:

Instagram (etc.) designs its apps/products based on user behaviour data - to keep its userbase on its platform for as long as possible [0]. - You might think you are "too smart" to fall for these tricks, and you may be right, - but what about the millions of boys, and girls who aren't as wise as you? - Do they deserve to suffer from mental health, body image, confidence issues for the rest of their lives? + to keep its user-base on its platform for as long as possible [0]. + You might think you are "too smart" to fall for these tricks, and you might be right, + but what about the millions of adolescents using these platforms who aren't as wise as you? + The data they collect, and techniques they develop from your usage enables platforms + to target not just your, but all users on the platform, including the most vulnerable. +
+ Unfortunately, many of these kids will end up suffering from mental-health, + body-image, self-esteem issues, and for some it will be fatal. + I do not think this is morally acceptable, and is primary reason I refuse + to participate in social-media platforms.

- You could say "well thats due to bad parenting", but the point remains that + You could say "well that's due to bad parenting", but the point remains that more and more of the digital world is having real world negative consequences regardless of your individual participation level. For example:

- It is well documented that Facebook's (etc.) targetted advertising - played a significant a role in the 2016 US elections [1]. + By now, it is well known that Facebook's (etc.) targeted advertising + played a significant a role in the 2016 US Elections [1]. Many of the policies implemented during this time has real world consequences to millions - of people potentially for many generations. + of people, and will continue for many generations. This affects us all. - Even if we don't have/use Facebook, we (most of us) cannot opt out of policy changes. + Even if we don't have/use Facebook, we (most of us) cannot opt-out of policy changes.
@@ -97,7 +113,6 @@ To summarize, it might not be a problem if individuals disregard their privacy at the individual level, but in aggregate, a population-wide disregard has dystopian consequences. - (This is also the primary reason I refuse to participate in social media.)

@@ -106,19 +121,13 @@
- Do I want to contribute to a dystopian (Orwellian) future? + What can I do?

- If your answer is yes, then continue to live as you are. -

- -

- If your answer is no, than we must put an end to mass data-collection by - not voluntarily giving our data to corp. X, and finally acknowledging the value of our privacy. - Fortunately, there are a few ways you can say no! + Start by valuing your privacy. + Next, you can follow some of the tips below to say no!

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