The post Seth Godin made 2 days ago on the “Clowd” has me a bit unnerved.
The marketer in me sees incredible possibilities in this idea. (Thanks to Walt Goshert for pointing Seth’s post out at Social Marketing Central!)
But the very large part of me enjoying that no one ever really knows where I am unless I want them to is freaking out a little.
Check out what Digg user “rspublisher” puts forth as ideas for what will be possible in the 3rd comment on the story.
What do you think of this exciting, creepy vision of the future? How will it affect marketing? Privacy?
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Seth Godin 06.09.08 at 10:59 am
Great point.
I think this is going to cause enormous disruption and dislocation. I’m not lobbying for it, just predicting it.
It’s up to us to make it worthwhile, not dangerous.
Eric Brown 06.09.08 at 11:40 am
Wow, scary stuff…does this mean all those regrettable pics I took in college may come back to haunt me? LOL
But seriously, Seth brings up a good point. While the social web is great…it does begin to rob privacy…allow for unethical and immoral behavior..and can have negative effects that far outreach the obvious.
Wow, it almost sounds like Communism. Of course the best way to eliminate immoral and unethical behavior (not to mention disturbing and illegal behavior) is to take away privacy…sooo….
Eric Brown’s last blog post..From CMSWire.com: Dreamweaver and Fireworks Beta Reviews
Jack Humphrey 06.09.08 at 2:07 pm
Seth,
“It’s up to us to make it worthwhile, not dangerous.”
Agreed. And I’m sure far more people will be involved in the worthwhile part of it. Its just when we’re done opening those doors, the people who’d make such things dangerous like to come in and make themselves at home with less desirable outcomes in mind.
I’m way too curious to be against it. Like you said, its coming no matter what. I, for one, will be looking for the positive uses while I start my Hollywood face alteration kit business for people who want to go outside and not be sucked into the wrong part of the Clowd.
Eric Brown 06.09.08 at 2:32 pm
Both of you are absolutely correct I think. As with anything the only way to lead is by example (or at least the best way) and we leave our legacy behind as a result.
It is up to the general public, particularly those in focus, that will make the determination of what direction it takes…because it is coming.
Eric Brown’s last blog post..From CMSWire.com: Dreamweaver and Fireworks Beta Reviews
tecHead 06.09.08 at 3:49 pm
In the process of stalling Net Neutrality, the LEFT was a bit more awakened and made aware of what the RIGHT has been (and is) doing. Coincidently, this fostered the new (strong and getting stronger everyday) grass-roots movement on Media Reform (freespeech.org); which is what makes me love the Inter(national)net, even more.
This way of leveraging the playing field makes “The CloWd” (to me) a lot less scary and conceivably a lot more manageable - because as the network gets more intelligent… intelligence networks will proliferate. Just as easily as the “po-po” will be able to track MY movements; I’ll be able to track theirs (while they track me tracking them tracking me…)…
You track, I track, we all track with the WayBack (machine). LOL… gotta love it!
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Sandy 06.10.08 at 7:07 am
When I read Seth’s blog the other day - It stopped me in my tracks. Big Brother is everywhere…haven’t you seen the cameras at intersections?
I am a newbie but I think it is important to maintain our independence and continue to work around issues that are not right.
Maybe we can all watch out for each other…guide new kids like me…and make a better social world.
Walt Goshert 06.10.08 at 7:54 am
I agree with Seth… it will cause enormous disruption and dislocation.
Some of these disruptions will be healthy, a weeding out of the bad. Some will get thrown under the bus for no reason because they failed to pay attention to the warning signs.
Also, it will create tremendous opportunity to do good and bad. As a marketer, we all love opportunity… lets hope we’re working with the good guys.
We all have a stake in this. Keep a close eye on how the government reacts and speak up.
Blog Marketing Journal 06.10.08 at 3:55 pm
Like many things, it certainly is a double edged sword eh?
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Lisa Alexander 06.11.08 at 7:41 am
Ok, so please forgive my ignorance on the subject - but is this speculation about “future” yet non-existing technology (in part and separate from what police or those of authority already own and use)?
From a marketing aspect this sounds creepy! From a personal side - also freaky! LOL
I agree, this is a double edged sword for sure.
Martin Malden 06.12.08 at 5:24 pm
Scary prediction but very believable!
The marketing opportunity for me would be to offer a service protecting your identity.
Remember the Tom Cruise film Minority Report? That was where the police were able to arrest you before the crime was committed, just based on your thoughts.
Now, anyone who could develop a service to counteract that would make a bit of money. Just before they were destroyed by the thought police.
Cheers,
Martin.
Martin Malden’s last blog post..How To Get Traffic To Your Blog