Q:

if surveillance capitalism goes on, what will the internet be like?

A:

it will know what you want before you do. here’s a definition provided by our dear friend, Google:

Surveillance Capitalism

noun: /sərˈvāləns ˈkapədlˌizəm/

an economic system centred around the commodification of personal data with the core purpose of profit-making. Since personal data can be commodified it has become one of the most valuable resources on earth.

We’re only experiencing Surveillance Capitalism in its infancy and it’s already a beast - cuing what we say out loud, advertising our shopping history, and plastering temptations everywhere is just the beginning.

As algorithms and data tracking become more advanced, the ads presented to us will gradually become more accurate to the point where it will know exactly what we want before we even think to look for it. If you don’t want anything, it’ll pick out something nice for you - with all your data, it’ll pick out a better gift for you than your significant other.

i see two visions of this world:

a digital times square crawling with ads that’ll quickly become normalized

an interface where ads are so cleanly integrated into everyday activity that we don’t even notice them - through subliminal messages perhaps?

Either way, both are equally alarming and straight paths to manipulating and making profits out of our subconscious.

Happy surfing!

thanks