The Slow Creep of Scientific Dictatorship: Google's "Selfish Ledger" + Transcript
The Slow Creep of Scientific Dictatorship: Google's "Selfish Ledger" + Transcript
More threatening to human freedom than napalm bombs and the roar of gunship engines is the delivery of custom-milled pleasure packages and the whirr of delivery drones. Google's "Selfish Ledger" concept is the wet dream of the technocratic autocracy - and its arrival in everything but name is all but guaranteed.
As Aldous Huxley pointed out in 1962 in his speech at Berkeley, entitled The Ultimate Revolution,
"...we are faced, I think, with the approach of what may be called the ultimate revolution, the final revolution, where a man can act directly on the mind-body of his fellows... we are in process of developing a whole series of techniques which will enable the controlling oligarchy who have always existed, and presumably will always exist, to get people to love their servitude."
This will be done, Huxley contends, not by using violence, but by creating a prison of the mind using the combined tactics of Pavlovian conditioning and propaganda on a population made more malleable by custom-made pharmaceuticals. And, more insidiously, by genetic engineering and direct electrical stimulation of the mind by machines. Sound familiar? If it doesn't, you are asleep.
Enter Google's "The Selfish Ledger"
Given this is a "leaked" video, there is no way to know how long it will be available. If it is taken down, search for "Google's The Selfish Ledger", length ca. 8min41sec.
As can be seen in the video above, getting people to love their servitude was already being war-gamed by Google in 2016 under a program dubbed "The Selfish Ledger". While Google claims that this "speculative design" is not related to any current or future products, you'd have to be a fool to believe them. They didn't say nobody is working on the technology, just that they aren't - not anymore at least.
Coming from a company actively engaged in manipulating search results and elections, unethically suppressing free speech, total warrantless data collection, and developing track-and-kill technologies for the military, I hope you will forgive my skepticism and my pessimism. What is one more deflection on top of a mountain range of unforgivable wickedness backed by an army of lawyers, a cabinet full of political lackeys and the ability to memory hole data?
In the following I will provide some commentary on the video "The Selfish Ledger". I was unable to find a transcript online, so took the time to transcribe the text for us, presented below in indented form. If you don't want to read the full transcript, skip directly to my comments at the end of each transcript section.
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Selfish Ledger Transcript:
"This man is Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck. In 1809, fifty years before Darwin published the Origin of the Species, he wrote was is widely recognized as the first comprehensive theory of evolution. His book, the Philosophy Zoologique introduced the notion of an internal code within every living thing, which when passed down through successive generations, defined the physiological characteristics of a species.
"At the center of Lamarck's theory laid what he called the adaptive force. He believed that the experiences of an organism during its life modified this internal code and upon reproduction this modified version was passed down to its young. Whilst not biologically accurate and ultimately superseded by Darwin's theory of natural selection, the epigenetic theories put forward by him are beginning to find new homes in unexpected places."
Google is positing the ability to engage in multi-generational behavioral engineering by using smart technology and drawing an analogy to Lamarck's research to couch it in respectability and define this goal as one of progress.
Lamarckian User Data
"When we use contemporary technology, a trail of information is created in the form of data. When analyzed, it describes our actions, decisions, preferences, movement and relationships. This codified version of who we are becomes ever more complex, developing, changing and deforming based on our actions. In this regard, this ledger of our data may be considered a Lamarckian epigenome: a constantly evolving representation of who we are."
Google is already tracking everything you do, all the time. Note this was created in 2016, making it very clear that the personnel at Google have been completely aware of the total data collection they have been performing the entire time. Your data and private information, harvested by them for their profit and justified via predatory user agreements, is constantly updated in real time via smart tracking technology.
Selfish Genetics
"This is Bill Hamilton, one of the most significant evolutionary theorists of the 20th century. His work studying the social structures of ants, bees and wasps, had a profound effect on our understanding of the role of genes in social behaviors such as altruism. He believed, and went on to prove, that the driving force behind evolution was not the individual, but the gene. He stated that the ultimate criterion which determines whether a gene will spread is not whether the behavior is to the benefit of the behaver but whether it is to the benefit of the gene.
"In the mid-1970s, the British evolutionary biologist built on the work of Hamilton and others to popularize the concept of the The Selfish Gene. In his book of the same name, he introduced the notion of a gene which whilst devoid of any motive or will could be metaphorically and pedagogically described as if it were. In this model, the individual organism is a transient carrier, a survival machine for the gene.
"User-centered design principles have dominated the world of computing for many decades, but what if we looked at things a little differently? What if the ledger could be given a volitional purpose rather than simply acting as an historical reference? What if we focused on creating a richer ledger by introducing more sources of information? What if we thought of ourselves not as the owners of this information, but as custodians, transient carriers, or caretakers?"
This is where it starts descending into Black Mirror territory. This technology is not about benefiting the individual, it is about the technology propagating itself via a human wetware platform. The individual is thus used by the technology, not the other way around.
The ledger is being posited as a "volitional" force, i.e. it has a will of its own, it makes a conscious choice or decision (based on guidelines programmed by someone else, obviously). The ledger can then direct/use the individual by manipulating (limiting, directing, determining) the information provided to it. This is why total data control and ownership is essential. If you do not own the data, you have no right to have access to it. This enables the technology to determine what input you receive, not you. Remember, getting more than a single answer, as determined by Google, is considered a bug.
The image drawn in the video, together with the exposition itself, appears to be a human being serving as a wetware hard drive for the ledger software that can be downloaded into the next person. Creepy.
Episode 1: Il Grillo Parlante
"Initially, the notion of a goal-oriented ledger may be user-driven. As an organization, Google would be responsible for offering suitable targets for a user's ledger. Whilst the notion of a 'global good' is problematic, topics would likely focus on health or environmental impact to reflect Google's values as an organization. Once the user selects a volition for their ledger, every interaction may be compared to a series of parallel options. If one of these options allows the ledger to move closer to its goal, it will be offered up to the user. Over time, by selecting these options the users' behavior may be modified and the ledger moves closer to its target."
"Initially" is the key term here, meaning that on-boarding users will take place under the guise of empowering the user to intentionally modify their own behavior. Notice however that at the end of the paragraph, the phrasing becomes ambiguous, enabling one to interpret the text to mean that it is no longer about the user at all. It is about the ledger moving closer to its "target". That is all but stating the long-term goal is for the ledger to determine the actions of the user without their knowledge or consent.
Episode 2: The Quill of Cornelius Fudge
"As this line of thinking accelerates and the notion of a goal-driven ledger becomes more palatable, suggestions may be converted not by the user, but by the ledger itself. In this case the ledger is missing a key data source which it requires in order to better understand this user. In order to plug the gap in its knowledge, the ledger begins searching for a device which delivers the required data when used. From this list, the ledger begins sorting the options most likely to appeal to the user in question. In situations where no suitable product is found, the ledger may investigate a bespoke solution. By analyzing historical data, it is increasingly possible to discern qualitative information such as taste and aesthetic sensibility which may be used in the creation of a design proposal. With the advent of technologies such as CNC milling and the emergent possibilities of 3D printing, a custom object may be created to trigger this user's interest. In this way, the ledger is able to plug gaps in its knowledge and refine its model of human behavior."
Here it is made explicit that resistance is expected, but it will become more "palatable" over time. For this to take place, the ledger needs ever more information about the user. To acquire that knowledge, the ledger will first suggest then custom design products embedded with data collection technology the user will want based on the information already collected. This is the intentional manipulation of the user to enable the ledger to collect more data, so it can better manipulate the user.
The most popular quote about Cornelius Fudge (The Minister of Magic from the Harry Potter series) is a bit disconcerting when viewed in this context: "You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognise that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!"
Episode 3: unus pro omnibus (one for all, all for one)
"User data has the capability to survive beyond the limits of our biological selves in much the same way as genetic code is released and propagated in nature. By considering this data through a Lamarckian lens, the codified experiences within the ledger become an accumulation of behavioral knowledge throughout the life of an individual. By thinking of user data as multi-generational, it becomes possible for emerging user to benefit from the preceding generations' behaviors and decisions.
"As new users enter an ecosystem, they begin to create their own trail of data. By comparing this emergent ledger with the mass of historical user data, it becomes possible to make increasingly accurate predictions about decisions and future behaviors. As cycles of collection and comparison extend, it may be possible to develop a species-level understanding of complex issues such as depression, health, and poverty.
"Our ability to interpret user data combined with the exponential growth in sensor enabled objects will result in an increasingly detailed account of who we are as people. As these streams are brought together, the effect is multiplied. New patterns become apparent and new predictions become possible."**
While this passage flirts with the transhumanist dream of preserving the behavioral knowledge of an individual, the true goal would appear to be enabling the ledger system to better manipulate/control future generations by having total access to all previous generations' user data.
The ability to embed sensors in everything is reiterated, making it clear that intelligence/data gathering is a primary concern as it empowers the system not only to recognize ever more patterns, but also enables it to predict future behaviors and - ostensibly - better direct the user.
This seems a relatively clear reference to the concept of a Sentient Global Simulation and here used to war-game government reactions to present or future exigencies.
Behavioral Sequencing
"SInce the 1970s, huge efforts have been made in sequencing the human genome. Today after many years of research and billions of data points, that sequence is known. By adopting a similar perspective with user data we may begin to better understand its role. Just as the examination of protein structures paves the way to genetic sequencing, the mass multi-generational examination of actions and results could introduce a model of behavioral sequencing.
"As gene sequencing yields a comprehensive map of human biology, researchers are increasingly able to target parts of the sequence and modify them in order to achieve a desired result. As patterns begin to emerge in the behavioral sequences, they too may be targeted. The ledger could be given a focus shifting it from a system which not only tracks our behavior, but offers direction towards a desired result.
**"We are the very beginning of our journey of understanding in the field of user data. By applying our knowledge of epigenetics, inheritance and mimetics to this field, we may be able to make mental leaps in our understanding which could offer benefits to this generation, to future generations and the species as a whole."
And here it is presented wrapped in ribbons with a bow on top. It is spelled out in no uncertain terms that the long-term goal of such technology is to reprogram society from a collection of individuals into a herd of animals tasked to perform as desired. This will be done by technology that manipulates our biology and restricts the sources and kinds of information we have access while mimicking human behavior.
Aldous Huxley would have been morbidly fascinated by The Selfish Ledger. Combined with the ongoing pharmaceutical crisis, ubiquitous mass media propaganda and social media groupthink, we are closer to the ultimate revolution in Huxleyan terms than ever before. It seems we have crossed the threshold from dystopian fiction into a dystopian reality. The very worst concepts from Huxley's Brave New World and Orwell's 1984 - escalated far beyond anything they could have ever imagined, are now objective realities just waiting to implemented in full force.
The ability to eradicate human freedom now exists both physically and via behavioral conditioning on a scale only psychopathic narcissists could desire. People already love their servitude and their technological enslavement, the next step is as natural as the turning of the seasons.
The loftily formulated goal that The Selfish Ledger may "...offer benefits to this generation, to future generations and the species as a whole," is the bait on the bear trap. If it was honest, it would be better phrased as: "If you want a vision of the future, imagine Google stamping on a human mind - forever."
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The Selfish Ledger - A requested response to @cupidzero's post
I started to write it here and decided to turn it into a post instead.
Great, will check it out.... For any of my readers, @dwinblood's response is worth reading. Head over there!
Hello cupidzero!
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I agree that all these things are coming to pass. Now what are we going to do about it?
Doing something about it is the key. Unfortunately, I have the feeling too many people are completely asleep at the wheel, so I am doing my part in the real world as well as here to wake people the hell up. I'm getting better at it the longer I try, it is definitely an exercise in patience.
Once enough people figure out what is really going on, and I think we are on the cusp, the move will be to restore the education system and government. I did a lengthy series on how to do exactly that under the title of Towards Voluntaryism.
I don't use the "F" word very often here, but this is FUCKING crazy. Reading this, kept seeing images of War of the Worlds, The Matrix, and some other movie I can't remember the name of.
This is absolutely insidious!!!!
My friend is going to freak when he hears about this. Now, instead of just having emergency meet up plans for WWWIII or the Zombie Apocalypse, now we also have to make a "What to do if my mind gets taken over by an AI to be used as a wet-drive" plan too.
Did I say the word "fuck" already?
That is exactly what I was thinking when I saw the video the first time. I didn't work it into the article, but it reminded me of when Pokemon Go came out and people were walking off of cliffs while being directed where to go. And if you haven't seen it, watch Altered Carbon for a more immediate example of wetware.
I only saw a few episodes of that show and I couldn't watch it anymore. Not because of the plot or anything. But there was so much stimulation my brain couldn't take it. It's the only way I can describe it. It was too busy. My mind was trying to process all of the technology that I was seeing, what was happening around the focus of the main characters...
Because that is what I naturally do.
After watching each episode, I literally did not feel physically well and that tripped me out a little bit. I'm well aware our subconcious picks up everything, everything we are exposed to and I had to wonder what was I being exposed to by watching that?
I normally do not think along those lines or have those types of suspicions, but with this show, I literally couldn't help but wonder and blatantly wonder at that. It was creepy. I know others may not have had those experiences. Those were just mine.
I really liked Altered Carbon. That was a good show.
EDIT: Though I tend to be a pessimist and think some of these people stating they are going to transfer consciousness to machines, or other bodies are overstating their abilities. I suspect they are missing some very important things that make people who they are that we haven't quite managed to pin down and measure.
I very much agree. There is something, or at least I am relatively certain there is something, about human consciousness that cannot be replicated/stored in digital form.
At least so far. We could talk about some of the things we haven't learned to measure and for some that is reason to say it doesn't exist. Yet, that isn't science. Science can only prove things it can measure. If we can't measure or replicate observation reliably then science cannot really be used to prove or disprove a thing. We must figure out ways to extend our observation of a topic for science to have a chance.
Not being able to measure electricity in various object or resistance didn't mean those things didn't exist. It just took us time to determine how to measure them.
There are many things I've seen evidence of that in my mind exist. I cannot measure them, and I can speculate, but that is all I can do without being able to measure or replicate.
Many of those things change my view on what a person is, and many of those things we don't even know how to measure or replicate reliably yet so how can we expect to capture them digitally?
Extremely creepy stuff. I can only imagine
in the future it will be like magic, the things
technology will be capable of knowing or what
it will be able to convince us to do, or believe.
Hey there, I thought you might like this: 'Truthstream Media' just recently did a video on Google and their selfish ledger. You can find more information about that here.