Biometrics vs. Privacy

Can Biometrics and Privacy Coexist?

 

Biometrics have been used since the beginning of the human race.  It is as simple as recognizing a familiar voice or face.  Technology has been developed to do this for us, and governments are taking full advantage of it.  Biometric systems have become highly sophisticated of the years, while becoming cheaper to implement.

Recently, in Australia there government has implemented biometrics at all there ports.  The log every person the enters and leaves there country.   The basically do a background check of all individuals that travel through there ports.  The advantage of this is the can catch people that are trying to smuggle drugs or are evading arrest in another country.  They also reported that they have interrupted kidnappings in  progress.  These all sound like great things. 

With that being said there are some major pitfalls to the use of biometrics by government.  Out there right now there is a large database of peoples identities.  With cyber crimes becoming the next major outlet for terrorists is it smart to have such a large scale and sensitive database on the internet?  One hacker could start a wave of identity thefts that could plague a nation.

There is a large group of individuals that think biometric use is a breach of privacy and personal rights.  Biometric data can be easily gathered on someone with out there knowledge through the use of facial recognition.   Any time you check into a  Vegas hotel/casino you are logged into there security system which then will get distributed to other casinos without your knowledge that it ever occurred.  I understand that there only purpose is to record and follow cheaters, but what about the rest of the data?

Companies have proved that they have no remorse on selling your phone number or e-mail address for there own financial gain. What's to say the won't start selling your biometric data.  You can't just change your biometrics like you can your e-mail or phone number.  It worries me, how does it make you feel?

A game Can add 10 years to your life?

TED TALKS

Ideas worth spreading

Jane McGonigal: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life

Being an avid computer gamer I was compelled to watch this video.  Jane McGonigal  is a video game designer with an extraordinary story.  She has turned life into game to overcome suicidal thoughts.  An extreme concussion left her thinking the worst thoughts possible.  Jane's game turns out to be science.  The phenomenon is called "Post Traumatic Growth".  

In a nation filled with "Post Traumatic Stress" this study is key.

She has also discovered that people don't need to have a traumatic experience to play and benefit from her game.   She also states that games can combat the top 5 regrets from people on their death bed.  I was intrigued on how my gaming can make my life so full. I know there is a major part of society that think gaming is taboo and harmful, but you cannot ignore the science behind games.


Her game "Super Better" is very straight forward and might even be common sense.  They are things we do every day without thinking, but if you are treating it as a game you are more likely to do it more often and reap the benefits.

Socially Acceptable

Facebook the New Face of Companies

With social media at all time high, companies are taking full advantage of it.  It all started with a race of  the most "likes" on Facebook.  Companies realized this could turn those "likes" into an audience to test new marketing plans.  Subaru, for instance, started their "Dog Tested" campaign on Facebook and YouTube.  It was a major success, and lead to many television commercials down the road.  Subaru tested there idea to the smaller audience cheaply before unveiling to the world through traditional and expensive methods.  

 

Subaru quickly realized the power of Facebook and launched other digital campaigns geared to consumers.  One campaign is "Your First Car Experience" where owners post there first car experiences.  This campaign is genus because it allows the consumers to leave there thoughts on cars.  Reading the experiences leaves Subaru looking great.  They know they are putting out quality products, so they are letting the drivers tell you instead of  Subaru telling you themselves.  It also allows people to "trash talk" their competitors, while keeping their hands clean. 

Their major success of these campaigns have lead to a new Facebook app called "Subaru Guide to Everything". It features a virtual travel guide of tips and reviews derived from Subaru owners and fans.  Subaru recently hit 1 million "likes" on Facebook and celebrated by making a YouTube video called the flip book.  This video is a flip book of pictures sent to Subaru through Facebook by consumers, and I would not be the least bit surprised to see on television soon. That is if it gets the proper number of hits on YouTube.

Not all car companies are sharing the success of social media. General Motors recently said they are pulling their advertisement dollars out of Facebook.  They were trying to use Facebook with a traditional approach to advertising.  By sitting on the podium and telling the public that they are the best, and not allowing the public voices to be heard.  There is no interactive apps or blogs between the consumer and company. GM tried launching one Facebook app called "Chevrolet Plant a Tree Campaign".  If you installed the app and planted a tree virtually, Chevy would plant a real tree in a National forest.  Chevy went into it with the idea "If you build an app they will come.", and did nothing to promote the app.  It was a miserable failure.  If you had the pleasure of using this app you would realize there is no reason to return to it.  There was no interaction with GM in the app, you simply planted your 1 tree and then closed the app forever.

Ford has even tweeted that "It's all about the execution. Our Facebook ads are effective when strategically combined with engaging content & innovation."  If GM doesn't evolve they advertisement strategies like Ford and Subaru they will be certainly left in the dust begging our nation to bail them out again.  Both Subaru and Ford are showing record sales.  Is that because GM can Facebook properly?  I will let you decide, and as an owner of two Subaru's I have made my decision.

Why am I at MATC?

Why I am at MATC?

    I am at Milwaukee Area Technical Collage to further my knowledge of computer sciences.  My Goal is to turn a hobby into a career, because if you like what you do it feels a lot less like work.   Two years ago I lost my job I had for many years.  I guess you could say I got comfortable and set in my ways.  Looking around in the field of Culinary Arts, I decided to erase the past and start a new slate in the IT field.  At first I was very nervous about going back to school after being away for so many years.  

    Now I realize how valuable an education is, and I am putting my all into school.  I am real happy with my decision, MATC is great, and all my professors make me feel welcome.  Going to school there is a lot of choices to make, campus, major, time dedication, and etc. I know I made the right choice by picking an IT field at MATC.
   I found out a bit about myself here at MATC.  I found out that I love learning.  Which is important, because I picked a field where I will have to go to school for the rest of my life.  MATC came highly recommended by close friends of mine in the IT field.  They are absolutely correct I am proud to be a MATC student myself.