In her right hand, she has had another microchip implant that acts as her business card but could also be used to store important medical information for use in the case of an emergency. The 31-year-old engineer also has a magnet in one finger that allows her to sense electro-magnetic fields, which she says helps in her work. But not all her body upgrades are practical. Her latest procedure is to have two LED implants, that turn on when a magnet is passed above them, illuminating her skin from inside. Why? “Because they are sparkly and I’m a magpie,” she … Continue reading The transhumanists who are ‘upgrading’ their bodies – BBC News

China’s “social credit” system, a high-tech operation that tracks and assigns points in relation to the daily activities and behavior choices of its citizens, is being developed in Silicon Valley.

The Communist government’s digital efforts, which have been in place since 2014, to control the actions of the people has been extensively utilized to manipulate them into compliance with their preferred way of conduct.

Reports indicate that it is increasingly common for Chinese people who refuse to go along with what the regime deems as good behavior to be denied the ability to travel by air or business class train tickets, among other things. Thus, if people want to live a normal life they are incentivized to keep their social credit score positive.

Although not sponsored by any government entity, similar efforts are underway in the United States. Meanwhile, talk is emerging of cyborgs and non-human beings taking over the world.

In a Monday Fast Company essay, Mike Elgan explained that private companies such as Uber and Airbnb are employing tactics that mimic the Chinese state. Continue reading Is China’s ‘social credit’ surveillance system coming to America? – The Christian Post

BRANDS INCREASINGLY SEEK to provide “frictionless” experiences—a sense of ease and efficiency that enables users to engage with them on their terms. However, in a small but growing number of cases, frictionless means eliminating cash as an accepted payment method. This is a seemingly minor but significant shift in the retail landscape. As a society, it signals a shift away from inclusive commerce toward what might better be described as the age of the preferred customer. Click link for more: https://www.wired.com/story/cashless-retail-excludes-customers-in-the-name-of-efficiency/ Continue reading Cashless Stores Alienate Customers in the Name of Efficiency | WIRED