The thing about Facebook, Alexa, and other similar services is that we still tend to think of ourselves as the customers, but the truth is that we're more the product since the data we provide is pure gold to these companies.
Marketing has become a huuuge part of industry and companies know more about us than ever. Politicians are learning the value of this as well and while a lot of people have talked about the role that targeted ads played in past elections, this will only become more and more prominent in the future.
Because a simple fact remains about humanity: We're more likely to listen to narratives that fit our current conceptions of reality. Surrounding consumers (us) in messages that make us comfortable is the best way for advertisers to get through to us and make money or influence us to do what they want (politics).
Information may be more abundant than ever, but privacy, truth, and critical thinking have a very steep uphill battle in the future.
Marketing has become a huuuge part of industry and companies know more about us than ever. Politicians are learning the value of this as well and while a lot of people have talked about the role that targeted ads played in past elections, this will only become more and more prominent in the future.
Because a simple fact remains about humanity: We're more likely to listen to narratives that fit our current conceptions of reality. Surrounding consumers (us) in messages that make us comfortable is the best way for advertisers to get through to us and make money or influence us to do what they want (politics).
Information may be more abundant than ever, but privacy, truth, and critical thinking have a very steep uphill battle in the future.
