Code Zero

by Marc Elsberg

‘Imagine if your government or the police demanded you carry a little box around with you at all times that constantly signals where you are and what you’re doing. You’d give them the finger! Yet you’re paying the world’s data oligarchs to spy on you. That, right there, is consummate surveillance. Please let me give you money so you can locate me and use my data! They could sure teach international spy agencies a thing or two …’ Zero lowers his voice, his tone more biting. ‘Here they come with their Trojan horses, offering you search results, friends, maps, love, success, fitness tips, discounts on your shopping and who knows what else – but all the while, armed warriors sit lurking in their bellies, waiting for an opportunity to pounce! Their arrows strike you right in the heart and the head. They know more about you than any intelligence service. They know you better than you know yourself! But the old question remains: who’s monitoring the monitors? And who’s monitoring their monitors? But perhaps we already know the answer: everyone monitors everyone else,’

This is so true and something everyone should really ponder.

After all, everyone out there is engaged in some kind of manhunt. Banks, credit card firms, supermarkets, car manufacturers, garment producers, everybody. Some internet giants even refer to themselves as search engines.’

‘Facebook, the book of faces, is what another of those giants calls itself,’ Zero explains, continuing his transformations. ‘They’ve experienced many a problem and scandal, and yet still they’ve got billions of members. As toilet walls the world over know: Eat shit – millions of flies can’t be wrong!’ Zero pauses momentarily before thundering, ‘So eat that shit – all of you! You! That’s right, you – the person watching this video! You couldn’t give a shit what they know about you or what they do with that knowledge … But nothing had better go wrong, because otherwise you’ll moan, “How could this happen? How do they get away with it? I didn’t know!” Wrong! You didn’t want to know! As long as the internet companies offer you some ridiculous advantage, you’re on board. The keyword is convenience. But how much longer are you going to put up with this?

Another fact. We are controlled by the societies that use our data, but as long as we get some advantage we don't worry. We allowed them to own and use our personal information for their purposes in order to have this or that new service, and then we accuse them of invading our privacy.

She goes on to Freemee’s company website. The firm’s mission is emblazoned across the home page in dark green letters: Our overarching goal is to enable every person to develop their personal abilities to the full and, by doing so, nurture the peaceful, happy and mutually beneficial coexistence of all people everywhere in the world.

This statement sounds like the one from "the Visitors". By putting people's conscience asleep, you can do what you want with them.

The idea of it, though … Could it happen? Might they have pushed Adam until he lost control? No way. On the other hand, they have pushed Adam, Vi, Eddie and many of their friends towards other things. Better marks, better career prospects, better guidance regarding their plans for the future and their particular talents, better health, better sleep and many other achievements. However, they often set Eddie real challenges, pushing him to the limit,

what happens if ActApps recommend brands to influencers and other youths who don’t truly share their values? Would they buy those brands anyway, if they help them improve the value of their data?

With the carrot of improving their data results dangling in front of their noses, the young people bought what the ActApps recommended.’ He looks around proudly. ‘Admittedly the whole set-up has its limitations. There must be a certain minimum overlap between the values of the person and those of the brand for them to go for it, but, depending on the individual, that intersection lies between twenty and thirty-five per cent.’

‘No,’ Carl replies with a grin. ‘The ActApps tell the youngsters what they like, and that’s why they buy it.’ For a few seconds the room is completely silent. They first have to digest this news. Will’s brain is working overtime. Carl’s manipulating people like puppets! If word of this gets out …

ArchieT: Scenario: twenty years from now, most people will have been thoroughly analysed and will use lifestyle apps to help them through the complexities of life. Submarine: You mean, the programs will know better than I do which job, partner and sport suit me best, what I should eat and what line of business I should be in? Will an invisible hand steer me in the right direction? ArchieT: But you’ll still believe that the algorithm’s decisions are your own. Nightowl: And who’ll be steering the programs? Teldif: Nobody. No human at least. They’ll have become too complex for any human to understand. Snowman: So, in the future, software will relieve us of any decisions, making all society’s decision-makers, politicians, managers, etc., superfluous. Peekaboo777: Oh stop! You make the scenario sound so appealing!