Control Attempt: Quantifying Human Behavior with Social Credit Scores

The more I get to know and understand my dog Tito, the more I realize that we humans are control freaks. I will get back to this at the end of the article.

First, let's set the stage of how modern society is increasingly marked by efforts to regulate and quantify various aspects of our lives.

On Episode 24 of the Mizter Rad Show I welcomed Bronwyn Williams , a futurist economist from Flux Trends , to really get deep into the world of social credit scores. I wanted to understand their influence on our lives and economies, and also how they are already controlling our societal dynamics now and how they will in the decades to come.

Here is a summary of our conversation:

Carbon Credit Scores

The discussion highlighted a trend towards attaching numbers to various aspects of our lives. One example is carbon credit scores which can influence our access to services and opportunities. However, Bronwyn warned that these quantifying strategies often miss the diverse nuances of human behavior and the complex reality of life.

China, ESGs, and monetizing love ??.

A great part of our conversation was around digitizing and quantifying personal data, such as behavior and morality. This not only shapes access to services and opportunities but raises crucial concerns regarding privacy.

Bronwyn highlighted the situation in China, where social credit scores measuring whether individuals are 'good citizens' impact their realities.

Yet, it's not just governments implementing these systems. Even companies participate, quantifying environmental, social and governance aspects (ESG) that influence their trade opportunities. Bronwyn emphasized the potential bias in these systems, pointing toward the risk of unfairly disadvantaging individuals and even (mostly developing) nations.

The conversation touched on the monetization of everything from relationships to jobs. We talked about the risks attached to reducing invaluable aspects of our lives into quantifiable numbers. We also discussed the potential danger in attempting to control and quantify every element of human value, including love and care.

Ciao, Ciao, Bye-Bye to Growth and Privacy.

Several intriguing predictions about the future were also shared. Bronwyn anticipates a population peak followed by a decline due to reducing birth rates. She also raised the possibility of less technological momentum, with more focus on redevelopment and degrowth. This was connected to broader societal changes, including shifts in culture and religion.

Interestingly, at a time when we're seeing more data-driven control implemented, many people seem to prioritize convenience and safety over freedom and privacy. This tendency to accept rather than question established systems was identified as a factor contributing to the adoption of social credit scores.

Convenience over Privacy

The social credit scores discussion sounded a call for caution. It pointed out the need for balanced dialogues about such systems, keeping an eye on long-term consequences and potential unfairness. Moreover, it raised concerns about the increasing digitization and quantification — trends that, while offering convenience and efficiency, leave serious questions about privacy and freedom unanswered.

Episode 24 of Mizter Rad Show serves as a strong reminder to tread carefully as we move into the future, taking technology's benefits while ensuring that we don't lose vital human characteristics to the tyranny of numbers.

The instinct-driven behavior of my dog and the calculated, control-oriented tendencies I have as a human.

Here are some examples that highlight the contrast between the instinct-driven behavior of my dog Tito, and the control-oriented tendencies I have as a human:

1. Decision-Making:Tito often relies on his instincts to make quick decisions. For example, he would react to a cat (a potential threat) based on his instincts for fight or flight. I, on the other hand, may deliberate extensively, analyze pros and cons, consult with others, and consider long-term consequences before making a decision.
2. Social Interaction:Tito communicates primarily through body language and instinctual cues. I am frequently influenced by societal norms, etiquette, and conscious efforts to control and manage my reputation.
3. Eating Behavior:Tito typically eats when he is hungry, guided by his instinct to satisfy a basic need for surviving. I, influenced by cultural norms and societal expectations, often regulate my eating habits based on factors like meal times, portion control, and dietary choices that go beyond basic instinct.
4. Play and Recreation:Tito engages in play for various reasons, including exercise, social bonding, and instinctual behaviors like chasing and fetching. My forms of recreation often involve planned activities such as meeting friends, traveling, exercising, which may require complex rules and structures, emphasizing control over the leisure experience.
5. Response to Stress:Tito responds to stress by showing instinctual behaviors such as seeking comfort, hiding, or displaying submissive gestures towards other dogs or humans. I, on the other hand, often employ a variety of coping mechanisms like for example meditating or making a conscious effort to control and mitigate stress with breathing techniques.

As we increasingly attempt to quantify, monetize, measure, and exert control over our behaviors, we might find ourselves progressively distancing from the inherent rhythms of nature in the times ahead.