Privacy in the 21st Century

I received the following from my boss today.

FYI - this is a very interesting view from Nokia on the future of mobile based computing/communications.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=496

It shows some cool ideas for the future of mobile technology from Nokia. As noted by my co-worker Chris, they failed to mention the privacy implications of their vision. Here's a tongue in cheek scenario from Chris that points out some issues.

~~~~~~ future Chris scenario ~~~~~~~~

Chris: Hello
Liz: Hi. Are you almost home?
Chris: yep, just picking up some milk
Liz: I show you at Hallmark. Are you just now buying our 50^th anniversary card?
Chris: *gulp* nope, got that weeks ago, I just am having a senior moment. Sec
Heard in the background: "You guys carry milk?" "No. Try the grocery store next door"
Chris: guess I will be a few more minutes, went to the wrong place.
Liz: I am totally "buying" that story.

~~~~~~ fade back to the present ~~~~~~

Coincidentally I was just talking with a friend that works for AT&T last night who said he as an AT&T issued Blackberry and AT&T has technology that maps where their employees are. They use the GPS in the phone and can even turn on the camera remotely and use that in determining where you are.

Social interaction technology is everywhere. MySpace, Facebook and Twitter are becoming part of everyday life. The President of the United States is even doing it.

How willing are we to give up privacy in order to improve social interaction?

Pope John Paul II Buried Today

Pope John Paul II was buried today. I recorded his funeral, which aired at 4:00 am here, but I haven't had a chance to watch it, yet. I sang for a diocesan requiem mass for the Pope this afternoon at St. James Cathedral. It was very moving.

Our choir sang for the Pope at the Vatican back in 1993 and it was a life changing event. We got to have our picture taken with him and at that time it was apparent that he was no ordinary man. You could feel his holiness. My wife's comment today pretty much sums it up: "he was a saint walking among us".

Saint Pope John Paul II the Great, thank you for your inspiration. You will be sorely missed.