And Trust Flew Out of The Window…This is What Happens When You Are Constantly Watched and Tracked

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James Bond movies introduced us to the first smarty-pants spy who sneakily recorded evidence. He used a micro camera enabled with voice recording cleverly embedded in his fountain pen to relay back information. His impressive use of secret gadgets made him stylishly invincible.

In modern times, everyone is invincible! Courtesy, easily accessible and affordable high-tech gadgetry. Spying is no longer a matter of intrigue. The smartphone is the single most potent tool to encourage the spy within us. Screenshots, voice recordings, geotracking, confirmation of messages seen and a million apps have unconcealed human activity. Add to this, the all-powerful CCTV with microphones that not only capture every single movement and expression of the employees at workplace, but capture their audio conversations too. Its a matter of debate if this prying has added to increased transparency in our relationships or depleted mutual trust.

A message sent is ‘seen’ (or not) by the person of our affections (or dislike) can cause stress and arouse mistrust. The very exact minute that a message is read further adds to the drama. Before the era of smart gadgets, an incident of mistrust was an occasional happening, as lives were largely bound by carefree trust. 

Friends, family and acquaintances were assured of truthful mutual reliance in all circumstances. Everyone trusted each other. Words were more free-flowing and actions were uninhibited. The subconscious mind was not weighed down by a high resolution, 360 degree zoom camera capturing voice, movements and that nasty little pock-mark on the left cheek.

In the modern day, cookies track likes and dislikes of consumers on e-commerce sites. Social media sites use algorithms to narrow down our preferences, hence, suggesting posts accordingly. Devious colleagues record conversations by inciting a response on controversial issues and use these as proofs to tarnish the image of a fellow colleague. Spouses use GPS trackers and other spyware to snoop on their partners. With so much tracking, there is no chance for the old-fashioned trust to flourish and strengthen human bonds. 

It was amazing to watch Mr. Bond’s on-screen undercover tactics. But, in the real world, it isn’t cool to be constantly watched and tracked. Contrarily, being on a high alert all the time,  people have turned into doubting Thomases.

In the trigger-happy world of proofs and snoops, everyone has become an unwitting spy. Trust has flown out of the window…