this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2024
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Asklemmy
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Because your data is used to make models of your behavior and opinions. Once someone knows exactly what you do and don't like it's really easy to frame purchase and political decisions so that they sound like something you want, even if they're really good for someone else.
And yet I keep feeding my opinions into the internet like a fool
Do they know I'm basically a monkey with depression? Can someone tell them that? Might answer some of the questions they are so desperate to find out.
Depressed? Buy these meds! Or spend your money on these therapies, visit these Facebook pages/YouTube channels where we can show you more ads under the guise of providing advice.
Monkey? Buy this chic barrel! Visit your jungle homeland by booking through this travel site.
They want to know everything about you so they can sell you (and everyone who fits in the same bucket as you) very specific things that you're more likely to buy.
Sure, monkey like meds. Monkey have more meds. Monkey love travel. Monkey buy travel.
Monkey have money for meds and travel?
"Need money quick? Gig work! Sell plasma! Buy sell items on .com! Reverse a mortgage! Get credit today!"
And if those don't work the Gun and Rope ads start coming in!
I think they'd be more interested in whether you're a bonobo or a chimp because those imply very different approaches to relieving stress.
If they do it right, you won't even notice or feel like you have no choice to buy something.
They want to know you better than you know yourself. I doubt they would be interested in any information you would provide because it would be useless compared to what they can get.
Most of the phyc research is done by large companies to crack all our brains open so we open our wallets.
You're probably depressed because that is what they want you to be. So you maximize screen time for adds and purchases.
This isn't about you. Your data is key in making other, relevant people stand out. Why relevant? Because they resist. Because they aren't depressed, they are fighting back. And whatever the reason that drives them, they can be manipulated. By compromising their anonymity. By making literally everyone else a "known variable". With your help.