Bricks from the collapsed privacy barrier
What with the constant incursions into our privacy, perhaps a little paranoia is reasonable. Identity theft, posting of passwords (by the millions), ongoing escalation of “watching” by various government agencies; all bricks from the collapsing wall around our persona.
Take the case, at work, of a survey by HR. Rather than handing out a form, the task has been contracted out to a firm. Each employee will receive a link, via email, giving access to an online questionnaire. Up to this point, nothing to worry about. Now, add in the small fact that each link will be individual. However, the promise is that once the questionnaire is submitted, the link will disappear, and the information gathered will be anonymous. Untraceable.
I don’t care. My intention is to “play nice”,, and any responses from my form will be devoid of character. Anathema. But if a certain degree of mistrust floats over the process (by others), should the administration be surprised? No tinfoil hat required.
We’re hosting a two day conference of senior (as in, responsible for the whole blueberry muffin) adminstrators. No big noise, but is the cellphone attached to one ear, a computer constantly within reach and a certain air of distraction part of the job description? No wonder I’ve never aspired to better office space.
After careful reflection, I’ve ordered a small kit that will allow use of a solar array to charge batteries. All part of that future vision of autonomy from “the grid”. Small steps, rather than making a plunge for a commercial system. For the record, the controller costs $20, and the batteries will be recycled from various UPS blocks at work.
