The EPIC 2014 by Robin Sloan and Matt Thompson in 2004 paints a very intriguing and provoking picture of our future news platform. The "EPIC" company they create is equally ammusing in that each is a possible prediction and could still occur, possibly. The idea behind EPIC that each user could potentially have their surfing experience tailored to their personal interest is a reality. With search engines pulling certain biographical information from personal computers they can post aids that target that persons specific demographic and interests. This is happening and will continue to evolve until regulations are set on the privacy of certain information.
The internet is a relatively new phenomenon and it grows exponentially stronger each day. The rapid progression of the internet has not permitted for many, or any, regulations apart from the ones set by those building it such as the "Googlzeons"out there (Ok, there is clearly only one Google but many dominant sites that are closely trailing the Giant). Once this new phenomenon has had time to grow into a more mature being there will be more checks and balances that regulate and restrict the information floating on the Web. This will stop some of the increasing privacy invasions and limit the EPICs to only the users who ask for this service. And there will be plenty, but there will also be many who do not need a self-identifying platform to surf the internet.
Oh, and The New York Times will never quit the internet and switch to paper only. They're much more likely to drop the print side and start charging more for online subscriptions. But, most likely their printing presses will continue for a longer time period, even if in 20 years the inked articles are simply a novelty.
You identify a paradox in internet privacy. While data mining and tracking algorithms target us with ads and "interesting" content - our user experience is enhanced. These systems help us parse noise throughout the internet, but also give users a sense that Big Brother is indeed watching. How do we control privacy and still maintain this enhanced user experience?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the NY Times - last year they rolled out a subscription based interactive reader. It provides a magazine-like interface for their content that integrates multimedia and UGC social media elements... I anticipate seeing more mixed media products from traditional media entities in the future.
I personally don't like that information is pulled from my online usage. The fact that ads are tailored to you is a little creepy to me. I know that its supposed to help the user experience- but let's face it, I'm not going to click on those ads anyway. The fact that they know so much about me is just weird. I think I would be genuinely freaked out by an ad that switched to be geared specifically to me. It seems that things are getting less and less personal in all aspects of internet. Gmail reads my email content and places ads accordingly around my inbox. That, to me, is too much. I don't have a problem with privacy in general, I just feel that some things need to be given permission instead of just stealing your information.
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