Let's get cynical

Data, tech bros & a lot of questions

My roots are growing through and they are reminding me of the time I had black hair for several years (it was a time and yes I regret it) - I am feeling emo. So why not talk about some of the cynical world defining things occurring right now?

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Ok weak introduction but I felt the strong urge to write a long-form essay dissecting, interrogating and mostly figuring out the ‘surveillance culture’ we have supposedly been subjected to against our will. And what this term actually means, beyond skeptics and conspiracy. As well as understanding what I already share willingly and how to approach this subject of ‘surveillance’ without feeling hypocritical in my sentiment. I must stress I come from a place of intrigue, uncertainty but not conspiracy.

Initially when thinking about data sharing, surveillance and the world of stolen privacy my mind directed towards my wrist - holding a Whoop. Yes the wearable tech device was my first thought for some reason; not cameras, meta glasses or social media. The reason for this is because these devices are things we are willing to pay for, subscribe to and ultimately share our entire bodily data with (to an extent). So it made sense, if not only to myself!

I began my wearable tech usage a year ago, with an Apple Watch. And as a fashion student in my final year of uni, at one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world, it was not fully my choice to have this new addition to my cute outfits. You see I actually had to begin using this device after suffering from a heart-related episode, which was followed by other medical issues I won’t disclose. But basically my cardiologist told me to get a device, or if not then to have one inserted into my wrist - which sounded a bit too sci-fi for my liking so I opted for an Apple Watch and my sanity!! All of this is a long-winded and very context driven way of explaining why someone who believes a device should never be fully seen - has in fact stepped outside with it on display.

During my usage of the Apple Watch and now Whoop I have noticed how easily I have agreed to share my personal habits overtime with the trust that it’ll benefit my health. When moving to the Whoop I also was aware of the hilarious concept of completing a journal each night in the app (totally optional) whereby you are asked questions, from how hydrated you felt to if you masturbated or had sex that day. Yes that is a question, no I did not answer it. I wish I was kidding but considering the testosterone talk from the gym bros and how it ‘affects their performance’ I am not even shocked anymore.

The ease at which the app allows you to tick a box for sexual activity, input a time and move on is quite resonant of the era we live in today. Whereby nothing is ever too shocking anymore and we will not really think twice about sharing this kind of information with a machine. (I hope some of you do still think twice though.)

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So we have wearable tech, what’s the big deal? Who is even looking at my sleep score? What would they even do with it? Do they have people tracking my every move? Or are ‘they’ just an entity? Does it even work? What could they possibly want from my data?

What could they gain?

A small glimpse into the questions you may have about these devices and surveillance as a whole.

I use it, pay for it and have tested it. Referring back to my origin story in the wearable tech space - my heart rate did become a fixation for some time and I was immediately aware that it altered from device to device. A resting heart rate of 45bpm on one could appear as 52 on another. This led to my research, which found that nearly every wearable device from: Whoop to Oura rings to Garmin’s and so on - were all wrong on some level. Every device has some form of accuracy and also a load of complete inaccuracy. Regardless of this and my question as to why would they not have a little team up and create a fully accurate device? - (for another day). These devices have become super normal to have on you.

They went from being sports only or premium athlete only, to sporty people only, to everyone and everyday accessories. A little bit like the great electrolyte debacle - everyone consumes them even if they sit around all day and never workout or see the sun - another thing I’ll address at a later date. [featured in my upcoming branding article]

So do we even know what happens to our data, is it ever truly ours and who owns it? And what the fuck is surveillance culture?

Yeah sorry I should have defined this earlier but for those unaware: surveillance culture is ultimately the idea that everything and everyone is being monitored, tracked, watched - leading to the idea of a loss of privacy and the opportunity to become susceptible to…well you get what I am trying to say.

So is someone or something actually analysing me through my wrist at this very moment?

^This felt fun to add for dramatic purposes lol - I can’t help but go into script mode sometimes so take how I interpret things in my tonality with a pinch (or a bucket) of salt x

Our blind conformity (myself included) into the many databases we are a part of is slightly concerning but more so pretty hypocritical. We often argue and debate about who holds our medical records or who tailors our feeds with targeted ads ect. But we willingly PAY to give our data away. We, in exchange for money, (from us - not to us) transfer our data into the unknown. Into the hands of investors. I understand it is slightly different and I do appreciate the political underpinning that the NHS’s takeover entails but at its simplest form is it too different from giving our data to these massive tech startups? Have we already made a choice or is it something we have fallen into slowly and without real understanding…

Even if you do not use or own any of these devices, you still own the one you are reading this on. Don’t you? Meta has slowly taken over every social media app we use (Substack better stay safe though) and now is said to have removed encryption from private DMs across Instagram. So this kind of does concern you.

As Bibi (from my favourite show Bad Sisters) declares: ‘Nothings really encrypted’

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The (not so) great eyewear takeover