Hi Laura!

I agree with your sentiment that the convenience offered by modern technology has come with significant trade-offs, particularly in how we live and interact. However, I would take it a step further and argue that not all technological advancements have been made with convenience or the goal of improving our lives in mind. Many innovations, especially in the age of surveillance capitalism, seem to be driven by profit and control, rather than making things genuinely easier or better for society.

Take, for instance, the pervasive use of social media and online platforms. On the surface, they provide convenience—we can shop, date, and socialize from anywhere at any time. But underneath, this convenience feeds into something more insidious: an addiction to constant engagement. I think the convenience of technology is not only a reason people embrace these platforms, but it's also why they struggle to let them go, even when they're aware of the harms. The ability to communicate instantly, get endless streams of content, and access services with a click creates a dangerous loop of dependency. We become addicted to that instant gratification, and companies exploit that by keeping us locked into their ecosystems.

What makes this more alarming is how companies use the guise of convenience to strip away privacy. They collect and commodify our data without our explicit consent, making surveillance a key aspect of how these platforms function. As you mentioned, Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism makes it clear that this isn’t about making our lives easier—it’s about making our behavior predictable and profitable.

-- ZoieGeronimi - 06 Oct 2024