Member-only story
PARANOID OR “META-NOID”?
Can Medium Tell What You’re Working On And What Topics You’re Googling?
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you — Joseph Heller
We’ve all had this experience.
You’re engaged in some perfectly innocent internet diddling, for example, about planning a trip to Possum Dick, Uzbekistan, or something along those lines.
Then, in the twinkling of an eye, often before you can even put finger pads to keyboard, just the thought of Possum Dick, UZ triggers a flood of intrusive ads, emails, and winking/blinking banners about Possum Dick. Rental cars in Possum Dick. Possum Dick Eateries. Best hostels in Possum Dick. Fun things to do in Possum Dick. Films shot in Possum Dick. The Rich and Fatuous of Possum Dick. And so on and so forth ad infinitum and ad nauseum.
All this intrusive shit happens because your every internet move, your every keystroke, is being tracked.
Which made me wonder if Medium can do the same … no, not bug the crap outta you with Possum Dick-related come-ons, but track you, see where your interests lie, and use that info to their advantage, all while ensuring your feed gets a solid couple of tweaks to keep it in line with your expressed interests.
