Stupid digital systems…easy to hack…
A little while ago, the label ‘Transhumanist’ dropped out of my bio. I say ‘dropped out’ because that’s what it was — pushed aside for lack of space. I didn’t remove the label, just tucked it away.
Now I’m taking it off. In actual fact, I’d now like to sign up to be a Luddite…
…okay, not quite but…
I have looked into the Mirror and the Mirror looked back. A smashed Mirror. A smashed Mirror, lightless and dull. A Mirror, Black. Black as yawning void. A…Black Mirror.¹
Black Mirror is a good TV series from a critical standpoint. Good tension, twists and that. But never mind all that bollox.
It’s also good…nay…great, because it makes you think. In my particular case, it helped me make some connections, realise some things, I now feel scarily stupid for not realising before.
One thing in particular:
Stupid digital systems…easy to hack
Obviously.
There is no such thing as a secure digital system. It just doesn’t exist. Security is never foolproof. But — correct me if I’m wrong — analogue security has been, is, and likely always will be, far more secure than digital counterparts.³
The obvious connection, that hit me like a halfbrick to the face⁴ ⁵, is that this applies to all digital systems.
Including those hypothetical systems Transhumanists so vehemently advocate for…let’s see now…advanced cybernetics, brain implants, digital conciousness/mind upload. The list goes on. And on.
Visual implants hacked to show a false picture of the world. To twist reality without you even knowing.
Digital clones — copies, yes, but still real humans in a somewhat twisted sense — hijacked. Tortured. Put to work. Executed, on loop.
These are just a few of the possibilities Black Mirror explores. The possibilities for bad actors to exploit digital systems — as the line between technology and humanity blurs — are frankly terrifying.
That’s what Black Mirror thoroughly, effectively, deftly explores.⁷ It helped me make a connection I don’t know how I didn’t make before. It allowed me to reflect on my own folly and led to me dropping the label Transhumanist. Likely for good. And to, more directly than usual, me writing this. Point being…nothing is secure. Nothing.
In particular — let’s not forget the bees. Oh GOD the bees.
¹ Over the top? Me? Never²
² Always
³ After all…what do you do to make a digital system more secure? Disconnect.
⁴ GNU STP
⁵ Not a Pratchett quote persay, it just felt…Prachetesque⁶
⁶Pratchettian? Sure I’ve had this debate before…
⁷ That’s a pretty glowing recommendation by anyone’s standards. But when you account for my usual apathy graduating to cynicism…just do yourself a favour and watch it.⁸
⁸ That said, prepare to be…well…‘creeped out’
