It's All About Control : Harvesting Personal Data

"The unholy alliance between Canadian politicians and Big Tech features prominently in the political parties' own use of social media data to track, profile and target voters."

"With the help of social media companies, political parties scrape online information posted by Canadians and use it to send manipulated and micro-targeted content attuned to each individual's behavioural triggers, in order to persuade them to vote a certain way."

"The result is that even people in the same household will not see the same political content."

"As the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol showed, if voters are not seeing the same information, they are not living in the same world."

"Distorting communication between voters has serious moral and political implications, which is why the EU created free people. In modern, technologically advanced democracies, data protection laws should build trust in the digital environment by properly protecting citizens and safeguarding hard won human rights, such as the right to privacy."

Jim Balsillie, founder, Centre for Digital Rights

Governments in the 'free world', the democracies allied in their struggle to counter the Beijing Communist Party's all-consuming traction advancing its agenda to control the lives of all its citizens through facial recognition technology and web outreach to ensure complete resignation of individuality and adherence to the proscription of criticism of Xi Jinping, the CCP, and its actions against the Uyghurs, Tibetans and Christians, shudder with horror at the casual dismissal of human rights and interference in peoples' privacy.

There are, however, certain parallels between what Beijing is accomplishing in scooping up data holus-bolus and controlling its massive population through advanced AI technology, and what certain democracies are also engaging in. The Internet has intruded in every aspect of human life. The great global public has embraced the wide open accessibility of knowledge, entertainment, communication and commerce with an enthusiastic appreciation of how much of our lives have changed, how much time is spent online, how casual friendships are made, how commerce is conducted, how fascinated we are with the options for contact, gaming, expressing ourselves.

Surveillance technologies have forever altered our concept of privacy. On the other hand, most people are not as seized with the issue of their personal 'privacy' as are campaigners for the protection of the right to privacy. Many people won't hesitate a heartbeat before airing the most personal details of their lives, live on stream, and with no concern over divulging such intimacies to the worldwideweb. Everyone nurtures a sense of personal entitlement overriding the need for personal privacy.

There is a cure for all of this. It is simple enough. Walk away. But nothing is ever as simple as it seems since those willing to forego any further use of the technology we have all grown so dependent on -- is willing to leave it all behind as an expedient in honour of privacy protection -- are few and far between. Violation of privacy rights does not appear high on the public's list of necessities to live a self-respecting life. And since the public really doesn't much care, why should those who govern them when the situation confers benefits on government?

Jim Balsillie, with all his experience, expertise and deep-seated knowledge of fundamental human rights can point out, as he has that "Behavioural monitoring, analysis and targeting are no longer restricted to social media, but have spread across a wide range of products, services and sectors, including retail, insurance, finance, health care, entertainment, education and transportation. In the early 21st century, every industry became a technology industry and now just about every internet-enabled device, and online service is a supply-chain interface for the unobstructed flow of behavioural data that's used to power the surveillance economy. This has not only meant the death of privacy, but has served to undermine personal autonomy, free markets and democracy."

Yes, indeed. And the public's complacency with all of this is obvious enough. A lack of imagination works to fail to instruct people of how much they have and will continue to lose in the greater scheme of things simply because most people cannot identify the fact that they are being unscrupulously manipulated. There are such subtleties of silent interference they are not recognized, and if they are, shrugged off as being insignificant and irrelevant.

And, as Balsillie points out, "... Privacy is a fundamental human right. Privacy is a gateway right to other rights and freedoms, including free expression, personal autonomy and freedom from harassment. Privacy is treated as a human right in numerous international conventions, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right should be codified in our data governance laws, as it is in the European Union's landmark General Data Protection Regulation."

Rethinking Privacy for the AI Era    Forbes

The Future : Living With COVID

"If everything goes well, we will have a new normal, not like the old, but it will be much easier in October 2021 as compared to last October."

"If you think about last summer, assume that this summer will be similar. [After a quieter summer, people will start to move indoors once more] and we don't yet know whether something is coming that we don't even understand yet."

Dr.Peter Juni, scientific director, COVID-19 Science Advisory Panel, Ontario

 

"The real question, politically, is will we invest more in public health so that we never again have to fear there won't be enough beds in ICUs to cope with all the sick people?"

"Will we invest more in health and social care so that elderly people aren't left exposed in privatized care homes, far from clinical help?"

"The other half of the population just wants to get back to opening their stores, trading. They're more angry with the government for 'making a fuss' about all these health-service impacts. It's very depressing."

"Even though it has had a massive impact in terms of individual lives, it's been more of an inconvenience for most people."

Mark Honigsbaum, medical historian

"[The idea that the population] will emerge, en masse, from hiding, newly happy, the economy will surge, children will again flood the schools, international travel and amity will return, all health conditions outside of COVID-19 will at least receive their due attention -- is a patent absurdity."

"People have died ... businesses have disappeared, countries have been destabilized, lives have been upended [and millions of kids] exiled [from in-class learning]."

Irvin Studin, president, Institute for 21st Century Questions

"During times of plague, people get more religious. They stop interacting socially, they become more abstentious and risk-averse, they stop spending their money. All of those trends will reverse, finally, when we really put the plague behind us."

"There will be a booming economy. We are likely to see an efflorescence of the arts and entrepreneurships. We will be beyond not just the biological and epidemiological impact of the virus but also, finally, the psychological and social and economic impact."

"The virus will still be there; it will still kill people. But its epidemic force, its epidemic power, will be reduced, or stopped."

Dr.Nicholas Christakis, sociologist and physician, researcher, social networks and biosocial science., director, Human Nature Lab, Yale University

 

Before the world was plunged into the abyss of a deadly pathogen that plowed its way into every continent killing the elderly, sickening entire populations, causing massive social/business lockdowns, flattening economies, re-emphasizing the distance between developed countries and those struggling to reach the same status, yet treating them all with equal disdain even as science developed vaccines to further benefit wealthy nations while leaving the penurious ones behind, much was taken for granted.

Our freedom to act with spontaneous vigour without having to reconsider whether to do so would unnecessarily expose us to an opportunistic virus, our comfort in our extended families, our confidence in full employment, in the allure of international travel, in our children's stretch toward their future, taking full advantage of all that formal education could possibly prepare them with to strike out on their own -- we accepted it all matter-of-factly. And then it was no longer possible to do so, everything about our lives wholly compromised by the threat of a coronavirus.

Now, the world dreams of a return to what once was not that very long ago, which seems far more distant in the rear-view mirror of our minds. We fantasize miracles; the blessing of a vaccine that will stop SARS-CoV-2 dead in its tracks before it kills us, too. We recall fondly what life was like back then -- only a year ago, when we became dimly aware of the mildly perturbing news of a new virus emerging in China, when we thought: China is a long, long distance from where we live.

And then, suddenly, it was here, there and everywhere and utter destabilization and fear reigned. Will it be possible at a future date to be casual about meeting strangers and becoming friends? When we no longer have to worry about a physical space required to ensure safety for them and for us? How relaxing it will be when we no longer have to tolerate the inconvenience of masking. Of bearing in mind the absolute necessity to wash your hands, wash them again and repeat endlessly. 

Will time heal those who have contracted the coronavirus and whose bodies and minds continue to be affected, the long-haulers? Could it happen to us? According to Dr.Christakis who wrote Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live: "We're just at the end of the beginning, not at all, as we imagine might be another reality." The beginning of the end of the novel coronavirus; struck down by the various COVID-19 vaccines now beginning circulation and inoculation.

The reality is, we are informed by those who are certain they know this to be so: the SARS-CoV-2 virus may soon succumb to a control imposed upon it by shrinking its potential pool of contaminated humans, but it will never in all likelihood take sufficient offence to absent itself completely from human affairs. It emerged and its purpose in emerging is to spread. "The fantasy, I hope true, is that we will be able to manufacture and distribute  enough doses of vaccine fast enough and persuade enough people to get the vaccine to really put a nip in that", stated Dr.Christakis. Irrespective of which, "I think we've got another year of serious problems."

From his past experience and his studies, Dr.Christakis is fairly confident of three phases of COVID; the first will endure until 2021 knocks on the door of incoming 2022, when herd immunity will arise as a result of widespread vaccination or through population infections. This would wound the virus's ongoing impact, disarming the level of its threat to humanity. Unless or until, of course, out of its many mutations, one or more arise presenting as more complex and more threatening, necessitating that science revisit the laboratory in search of a definitive vaccine.

The intermediate phase to last into 2024 will see the world cleaning up the mess that the original coronavirus left the world in, not only its economic and social collapse but to look to and aid those suffering from COVID-inspired mental health illness, lung damage, neurological problems, heart and kidney illnesses after COVID-linked 'recovery'. And then enters the third phase, a universal sense of euphoria that the nightmare has evaporated; we've awoken from the deep, bleak sleep of COVID and the world has become a brighter place. 

In that brighter place, a heightened awareness within the medical/scientific community and governments of the likelihood of new viruses and their variants emerging to challenge the human capacity to endure and to defeat. In that new world, no more casual hand-shaking, mask-wearing becoming a common social indication that a lesson has been learned. Even while gatherings resume, they will do so with a modicum of social distancing. At the same time distance-working, a greater reliance on business meetings through virtual conferencing may prevail as a simple caution.

 

In the meanwhile, illegal animal markets must be confronted globally. They represent venues whereby humans come in close contact with wild animals already naturally infected with various viruses. Some among them make the leap between species. Global disease surveillance systems must be launched. Rich countries must fully invest in sharing vaccines with poor countries to ensure not only sharing of positive values and outcomes but to make certain that viruses run amok do not mutate toward more potent threats.

The World, Struggling Against COVID-19

"[Because of the costly impact on the economy and people's well-being, pandemic lockdowns have been resisted by the provincial government]. That's why we plead with people to exercise personal responsibility. I know we're all tired of this, God knows I am. I'm just calling on Albertans to be Albertans, to do what they do best, which is the responsible use of freedom."

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Canada

In the biggest active outbreak in Alberta, at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, 11 people have died and 86 have tested positive for COVID-19. The latest death makes the outbreak as deadly as the Misericordia outbreak in Edmonton over the summer. (CBC)

"Where transmission is known, household or community contacts appear to be a key driver in spreading the virus throughout the city [of Edmonton]. Social and family gatherings continue to be a factor in virus-spreading events."

"We have also seen several workplace outbreaks where spread between employees has occurred."

"Right now, we're making this voluntary to give Edmontonians the opportunity to turn this tide before it has a significant impact on acute care."

"Edmontonians perhaps haven't had the personal impact of COVID that others in the province may have experienced."

"I especially caution Albertans against planning large get-togethers this [Thanksgiving] weekend."

"Now is not the time to be gathering in large groups, travelling long distances for the holiday or sharing food or utensils with people outside your cohort."

Dr.Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta

According to Britain's Health Minister Matt Hancock, the U.K. is at a "perilous moment" with over 17,540 daily COVID-19 cases recorded on Thursday, an increase of over 3,000 from the tally of the previous day. Another 77 people died of COVID-19 effects, with hospitalizations at their highest since mid-June. Every two weeks the count in northwest England doubles -- in the past week alone, an increase of 57 percent.

 

In Spain, the regional supreme court in Madrid blocked an order locking down the capital, claiming it impinged on residents' basic freedoms. Thus throwing the coronavirus response in Europe's worst-hit city into chaos. Last Friday restrictions banning people from non-essential travel in and out of the capital were introduced. There are fears that thousands of residents of Madrid will travel in anticipation of a long weekend for Spain's National Day, Monday. Spain's recorded total stood at 861,112 coronavirus cases, the highest in Western Europe; along with 32,929 deaths.

 

France saw an increase in new coronavirus infections of 20,330 in one day, a record since the start of the epidemic, an increase that brought the cumulative total to 691,977 since the turn of 2020. Deaths from the virus increased by 109, the highest daily number in a week, for a total of 32,630. Still, however, below the highs of 150 that occurred earlier in the month. Lyon, the third-largest city in France, along with three other cities would have to close their bars, just as Marseille and Paris have, in an effort to stem the coronavirus spread amidst climbing numbers. 

Hundreds of restaurant and bar owners in Marseille protest after French authorities announced that they order cafes and restaurants to shut down for two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Friday. (Noemie Olive/Reuters)

Russia's total cases reached a total of 1,272,238 when it reported 12,126 new infections. No lockdown is in place in the country, the Kremlin not planning to impose one though authorities in Moscow were considering whether to close bars and nightclubs to slow down a second coronavirus wave amidst surging new cases, bringing Friday's numbers to an all-time high. The plans are to begin mass vaccinations in October, of a vaccine whose speedy rollout has incited concerns from scientists respecting its efficacy and safety.

 

Hospitals are so over-stretched in Iran they will no longer be able to admit and treat non-emergency patients. The situation is so dire that military hospitals are to begin admitting civilian coronavirus patients. A record high of COVID deaths were seen with 239 the past week in a third wave of infections to hit the country with the highest official death toll in the Middle East. A lockdown of schools, mosques, shops, restaurants and other public venues was extended for a second week in Tehran. State television featured 211 newly-dug graves in preparation for new COVID-19 victims. 

In India, total coronavirus cases soared by 70,496 in 24 hours to 6.91 million on Friday morning, according to data from the Indian health ministry. Deaths in the country total 106,490 with the addition on Friday of 964 more. The death rate that rose past 100,000 on Saturday marks India as the third country in the world to reach such a milestone, following Brazil at second place and the United States at first place. India's epidemic has given no sign of abating any time soon.

In Ukraine, a record 5,804 COVID-19 cases were registered n the past 24 hours according to its national security council in Kyiv on Friday; an increase from a record of 5,397 new cases reported the day before, leading Prime Minister Denys Smygal to order more hospitals to be in preparation. In some regions medical capacity was full, reflecting the fact that some 900 patients with confirmed cases were being admitted daily, bringing the total cases to 250,538, with 4,779 deaths.

 

Rats' Affinity for Human Environments

"I can tell you one thing [about rats]. It takes someone that's on the ball, that's been doing their career for a long time, it's thousands of dollars because you've got to show up over multiple weeks to control it and find out [assess the situation], and you have to have everyone on board."
"They're smart, they're industrious and they can't be stopped by normal traps that work against mice. You can't just lay out poison."
"Humans are pretty good at passing the buck: 'Oh, it comes from the new house that got built next door, the reno'."
"For any type of rat population that's there, you can always look at the humans 90 percent of the time, and that's the reason, the mistakes people make."
David Saunders, 25 years as a pest controller

"There's sort of this belief that having rats is unacceptable and we should exterminate them."
"Rats are a part of the urban ecosystem, they're incredibly difficult to control in many ways. Effective control requires long-term, ecosystem-based control that limits food and resources."
Kaylee Byers, Vancouver Rat Project

Chris Scuffins / Getty Images

We should get a few things out of the way. Rats get a bad rap  historically; it is now under question whether rat population was a vector for the Black Death/Bubonic Plague epidemic of the late middle ages. And although humans think of rats as parasites on human waste such as kitchen scraps improperly disposed of, researchers feel that true body parasites such as fleas and body lice spread the European plague through the transference of deadly bacteria. Rats are highly intelligent, capable of evading human efforts to trap and destroy them.

Rats, particularly the brown Norway rat, have been used for countless years in laboratory experiments. Humans exploit rats in the name of research, just as rats exploit human settlements to advantage themselves with human castoffs. The use of laboratory rats is seen in an inexhaustible list of medical research from surgery, transplantation, cancer, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders including behavioral intervention and addiction, neural regeneration, wound and bone healing, space motion sickness, and cardiovascular disease.

Yet we shudder at the very thought that rats live among us wherever we are, town or country. Rats are known to make excellent pets. They are reciprocal, affectionate, readily trained and in actual fact, quite attractive little animals. Yet most people think of them as hostile intruders. Understandably, the thought of rats as carriers of harmful pathogens doesn't endear them to people. On the other hand, cats are known to be carriers of some types of disease harmful to humans. Though rats are known to transmit disease, mosquitoes represent a far greater threat.

Photo by AlexK100

David Saunders has had a lot of experience with rats over the quarter-century that he has come across them professionally. He has seen rats fall from power lines, bounce off pavement and then swiftly readjust and keep running. Residential areas that begin to lodge complaints of rat infestations mean his advice and expertise will be much sought after. If he has a choice, this owner of the Paramount Pest Control enterprise feels more comfortable working to eradicate the presence of bugs rather than rats. They're smart, and their intelligent efforts to avoid traps and death give pause for thought.

Photo by Uzbecka

And because Mr. Saunders knows that people call in pest control because they don't want to have to deal with their perceived rat problem on their own, yet usually it's human carelessness and neglect that has caused the problem to begin with. If the problem is solved by pest control eradicating the rat presence, what's to stop a follow-up infestation when people simply go on re-creating the same problem through inattention to their own hygienic obligations? The problem, he emphasizes, originates when the caller or a nearby neighbour fails to adequately ensure garbage is inaccessible.

Kaylee Byers, a University of British Columbia doctoral candidate, has developed research through the Vancouver Rat Project on how rat populations work in urban settings, and how most effectively to deal with them. Calling in pest control each time an issue with rats arises ignores the root of the problem, she asserts. She and her colleagues maintain there is a solution and that is to learn to accommodate themselves to living with a rat presence -- as part of our cities --while excluding them from entry to our homes.

At the Vancouver Rat Project, figuring out how municipalities are able to coexist with rats is the focus; not simply an issue of eliminating rats but of determining what would amount to an "acceptable" number of rats for any given city. Building infrastructure in such a way that it is engineered to ensure proper garbage disposal. Designing urban areas to exclude any potential "harbourage sites" where rats find an attractive haven. And clearing areas of rats prior to construction starts or demolitions to avoid driving rats elsewhere.

Good sanitation is the best and most economic way to control rats. Follow these steps to keep rats away or to keep their numbers in check:

• Clear away any rubbish piled close to buildings to expose burrows and openings that rats might use to get in.
• Store food in rat-proof containers, such as galvanized cans with tight-fitting lids. This includes birdseed, grass seed, and other possible foods kept in garages and/or outbuildings.
• Store and dispose of garbage properly, so that rats can’t get into it.
• If you feed your pets outside, leave the food out for just long enough to be eaten, and then remove it.
• Clean up pet droppings from the yard every day.
• Remove old wood or rubbish from the property since these are regular rat hangouts.

The Humane Society of the United States