cousinlucky is technology challenged!

[cousinlucky]

In grammar school I did a book report on George Orwell's " 1984 " and I have to be dragged into using new technology. At any rate being aware of my condition a friend sent an article my way:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...501304_pf.html

[techieMoe]

I don't really think this woman is very typical when it comes to gadget usage, particularly for her age. I don't know many 56-year-olds that have a laptop, GPS module, use e-mail alerts and manager their own website, and drive a Mercedes-Benz.

That being said, none of the surveillance they mentioned in the article surprised me. Most of them have ways to protect your privacy, such as the "opt-out" clause for personal information and refusing to use RFID technology that can be easily stolen. The sky is not falling, Big Brother is not going to send the Thought Police to your house... unless you live in the UK. Then you're just out of luck.

::EDIT:: Reading further, I just have to address a pet peeve of mine: women who don't take their husband's last name. Bucking that tradition just irks me.

[Vergil83]

Ironically, Orwell was wrong. He saw a world where a totalitarian government watched everyone. Instead, companies work with the government. The gov gets money, and the corps get to suggest books and Oreo cookies.

Who knew the "free market" and "the Leviathan" could work together so well

[Vergil83]

::EDIT:: Reading further, I just have to address a pet peeve of mine: women who don't take their husband's last name. Bucking that tradition just irks me.

Not to go off topic or into a politcal debate, but why is that a peeve of yours? I could not careless......

[techieMoe]

Not to go off topic or into a politcal debate, but why is that a peeve of yours? I could not careless......

I don't think this is a political issue, just one of personal preference. It bothers me when a woman refuses to take the last name of her husband because I consider that tradition to be one representative of sacrifice for love. You love the man, so you sacrifice your last name (or at least swap your maiden name for your middle name). I'm not saying I think all women should or shouldn't do it; just that it irks me personally.

[fingal]

::EDIT:: Reading further, I just have to address a pet peeve of mine: women who don't take their husband's last name. Bucking that tradition just irks me.

I can think of an understandable exception.

As Moe hinted, here in the UK we DO feel under suveillance (or I do). Our Government are looking at rolling out a huge database containing all our personal details. Their record on getting IT right is terrifyingly inept. There are CCTV cameras everywhere, speed cameras. It's getting out of hand!

[ImNeat]

I can think of an understandable exception.

lol
.

[techieMoe]

I can think of an understandable exception.

Yes, there are particular people who have no real good option (there's a realtor around my area who hyphenated her name and both of them are horrendous). I feel for those people. If I drive by that lady's advert again I'll write it down.

[Vergil83]

I can think of an understandable exception.

Outside work Mr Balls interests include...football with his children.

So Balls likes playing balls with his little balls.

[fingal]

So Balls likes playing balls with his little balls.

I wish I'd thought of that!