Member-only story

An Introduction to "This Does Not Belong to You": An Exploration of Ownership and Belonging in the Digital Age

William Faulkner

·12.5k Followers· Follow

Published in My Parents: An Introduction / This Does Not Belong To You

6 min read

1.1k View Claps

90 Respond

Save

Listen

In the digital age, our sense of ownership and belonging is undergoing a profound transformation. The advent of digital technology and social media has created a new landscape in which our personal data, our relationships, and our experiences are increasingly commodified and shared. This has led to a fundamental shift in the way we think about what it means to own something and to belong to a community.

My Parents: An Introduction / This Does Not Belong to You

by Aleksandar Hemon

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17494 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages

In her book "This Does Not Belong to You", author Osnos explores the implications of this digital transformation for our sense of self and place in the world. Drawing on a wide range of examples, from the rise of social media to the growing surveillance state, she argues that the digital age is challenging our traditional notions of ownership and belonging, and that we need to develop new ways of thinking about these concepts in order to navigate this new landscape.

The Commodification of Our Personal Data

One of the most significant changes that the digital age has brought about is the commodification of our personal data. In the past, our personal data was largely private, but today it is collected and sold by a vast array of companies, from social media platforms to data brokers. This data is then used to target us with advertising, track our movements, and even influence our behavior.

The commodification of our personal data has a number of implications for our sense of ownership and belonging. First, it erodes our sense of control over our own lives. When our data is collected and sold without our knowledge or consent, we feel like we are being violated. Second, it creates a new class of people who own and control our data, and this can lead to a sense of disempowerment and alienation.

The Rise of Social Media

Another major change that the digital age has brought about is the rise of social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become a central part of our lives, and they have profoundly changed the way we interact with each other and the world around us.

On the one hand, social media has made it easier than ever to connect with friends and family, and to share our experiences with others. It has also given us a platform to express ourselves and to advocate for causes we care about.

On the other hand, social media has also raised a number of concerns about our privacy, our mental health, and our sense of community. For example, social media companies collect vast amounts of data on their users, and this data can be used to target us with advertising, track our movements, and even influence our behavior. Additionally, social media can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, hate speech, and other forms of online harassment.

The Growing Surveillance State

The digital age has also seen the rise of the surveillance state. Governments and corporations are increasingly using digital technology to track our movements, monitor our communications, and even predict our behavior. This surveillance has a number of implications for our sense of privacy and autonomy, and it can also be used to target dissent and suppress political opposition.

The growing surveillance state is a serious threat to our freedom and our democracy. It is essential that we take steps to protect our privacy and to hold governments and corporations accountable for their use of digital technology.

The digital age is a time of great change and uncertainty. The advent of digital technology and social media has created a new landscape in which our sense of ownership and belonging are being challenged. It is essential that we develop new ways of thinking about these concepts in order to navigate this new landscape and to protect our freedom and our democracy.

Call to Action

What can you do to protect your ownership and belonging in the digital age? Here are a few tips:

Be aware of the privacy settings on your social media accounts and make sure that you are only sharing information that you are comfortable with.
Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your online accounts.
Be careful about what information you share online, especially on social media.
Support organizations that are working to protect our privacy and our democracy.

By taking these steps, you can help to protect your ownership and belonging in the digital age.

My Parents: An Introduction / This Does Not Belong to You

by Aleksandar Hemon

4.7 out of 5