Friday, April 10, 2020

The new control with new tools of Social Media : Past to Present


First they controlled the land, then money, then society, then ideology, now what? Which aspect remain to be controlled? In primitive society people organized in tribes, clan and started to enforce the land controls. They fought over it, won it and cherished it. Then these clans evolved over time and became small nations.
Nations had more organized setups scientific developments, lots of backdoor power broking, organized large armies and religious patronage. Kings were believed to be descendants of God. Thus they held the divine power and when this divine power was challenged they had armies at their disposal. Kings controlled the state at macro level and developed the concept of Society for the micro level control, which was basically implemented and taken care by village chiefs. For example, everyone was supposed to marry in their own clan/caste, but if someone tried to defy this rule then priest will not perform the rituals of the marriage, washer man will not wash their clothes and no one will buy produce from his fields. This micro level control gave rise to social control.

Scientific advancements and mass production technologies created wealth for the individuals and the quantum was so great that even the treasury of the Nation had to borrow sometimes at the interest rates. However, this phenomenon is still vogue as governments issues T-bill and Gov. bonds. During initial phases of industrial revolution such wealthy individuals were few and were indeed emerged from nobles and aristocrats. They wanted the piece of cake of power in exchange for their wealth.  After sometimes time when wealth grew more and more people joined the club of wealthy individuals along with the impact of renaissance; democracy emerged. This also loosed the social control as in the entrepreneurial setup, money and value of work matters most rather than weather you married in your clan or in different clan. With this control of ideology begun. The fierce battle of ideology was fought in the “Cold War”. Whole world was on the verge to divided either on Capitalist Side or on Communist Side.
But what next? Does this stop here? This question would have been asked in every phase and both Yes and No would have been appeared as valid answers. But in today’s era of extreme Data Analytics and Social Media, a new form of control is about to emerge and this time it would be psychological control. Luster of wealth creates a byproduct of relevance, attention and recognition. Everybody desperately wants all of these byproducts but not all can have because there is a precondition to it and that is humongous bank balance. So people try to satisfy their need on social media by posting something and checking whether they are getting appreciation or not? Can their next idea become viral? and they will become instantly famous and acquire a tag of social media influencer and what not. Capitalist innovators are pretty blessed mind they see opportunity in everything. Thus, we have platform such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. Among all I fear the most is TikTok. It a best tool to control the masses by their psychology. People make videos on the platform and post it. They get watched, liked and followed, this translates into the monetary benefits for the creator. This element of monetary benefit actually gives the false sense of justification to content creator (hereinafter CC) that their time is well utilized and they are doing something of value. Another aspect is that CC will produce only such content that will sell better and allow them to earn fatter rewards. This puts them to the mercy of “watching” population. They may be watching the content due to the artistic value of the content or some other aspect such as the beauty of CC. Worst part of all this that latter is more prominent than former so, one who is beautiful and glamorous have more chance to earn more rather than others. This platform has successfully linked you rewards to your physical feature rather than your artistic attributes. For winners it’s good but for looser it hurts and plays with their mind and this give the psychological control of users to the TikTok. We all know in the world of recognition, relevance and attention winners are few and looser are more. In the light of my analysis I am assured that such platform must be banned and objective control of Social Media is necessary, otherwise politician and business men and women will use these platforms to psychologically confine you to be used at their wish and draw most benefit out of you.


“If something is free, then you are the product.”


But who am I? I am no psychologist or Social Media Analyst. Thus to Substantiate this I would like to present one excerpt of motivation theory propounded by Abramam Maslow (Need hierarchy Theory) and Aldefer’s (Hierarchy of Motivational Needs). When one individual fails to satisfy the higher order need he/she subjected to frustration-regression (Aldefer) and turns to satisfy the lower order needs. This translates into that when one is not able to achieve self-esteem, he/she turn to the more socialization. This is where Social Networks come to the picture. They exploit such situation and make sure that one remains in the situation for ever.

Tec giants are using these tec to control the masses by using psychology. If masses recognised their value and started to act responsibly then it is the masses who will control everything rather than be controlled.

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Social Media and a prescription for Fake News.

Fake news banner used to illustrate the story. [Photo credit: Contax Law]"Great power comes with great responsibility", certainly don't know who originally said this statement. However, I do remember it was in spider man movie. This holds true in the modern world and increasingly becoming more relevant as the world is experiencing technological breakthrough at the pace which was never imagined before. 


 Computing technologies and internet is about to embark on the Forth Industrial Revolution and as it is being rightly said that, Data is new oil. Once fossil was revolutionary it made things possible in various was it was used in war to lit fire on water, it made transportation accessible to masses as their own personal luxury, it was even used to dictate world politics. But in the end whole world is at risk of sever climate change which threatens the very existence of life as we know it. When it went out of the hand? I think that the changes were so subtle and minute that it could be never felt and problem became so serious.

 On the similar line we have social media such as facecbook, twitter, instagram etc. All these have given voice to the masses, now people can voice their opinion in most effective way. With this revolution, people feel empowered in various senses. Any movement can become mass movement or we can say viral. But this is a great power it comes with own responsibility. Earlier when media houses and print media introduced any content it was filtered by the way that it do not offend any individual, group or belief. However, with this revolution we have lost this careful consideration. 

 But proper scrutiny is not a problem, the real problem is Fake News and Fake User Id(s). Have you ever heard that some one distributed a fake news paper or some fake channel is being aired ? I never have, this is the main issue; These are relatively new concept and we have absolutely no experience in dealing with such issue. The only mechanism that is instituted by Information Technology Act,2000 (section 66A), where one can be penalized if found in indulging in act of initiating offensive content. But what if our low tech police officials failed to detect source or the person responsible for Fake News, In this scenario no one is guilty and world is pretty happy. 

Governments are not concerned about this, that's why there is no regulation on social media and their practices. Everybody whosoever has a bank account knows about KYC guideline and everyone has to go through it. Why? because it helps in curbing corruption, money laundering, terror financing. Then there must be some KYU (Know your user) guidelines shall be there.

 The idea of KYU:

 1. If one want to sign up for the social network then they can apply on the website. Later their account will be active only when they complete their documentation like submitting correct ID and address proof and working contact number. Maintaining authenticity of these user accounts shall be the responsibility of the Social Network Companies. If they fail, heavy fine will be levied upon them as is the case with the banking companies.

 2. Next step is for the user, One must act responsibly and if fails to respond as intended, then one must be stripped of facility of posting new messages for some times. It is the responsibility of the person who shares the message on the internet and must be held accountable for that. This provision will force the reckless user to self regulate and will inculcate the habit of investigation before 
passing it further. This will also add up in the knowledge of the user they will understand the real issue then will help the community to generate a quality opinion. Opinion is life blood of the democracy. If opinions are not up to the quality then it will rot the democracy.

 Hence such guideline will remind people that great power comes with great responsibility. People must learn to act responsibly, it is in their best interest.

 This is my opinion don't forget to add up yours.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Financial Digitisation

Post Demonetization it is seen that govt. is emphasizing more and more on digital payments.Recently there has been a push from central govt. on making mandatory linking of aadhar to bank accounts.Also the central govt. is using this digital space for its welfare schemes as well to reduce corruption and leakages . There is no doubt that use of this digital space will increase the effectiveness of these programs and will ensure the transfer of benefits directly to the beneficiaries. The economic aspect of fiscal digitization will surely benefit the economy.
But looking at another aspect of it a question arises that Are we taking a Parochialism view on the issue? Clearly we can say that rise in digital transaction is not behaviorally induced within people. It is mainly due to policies of govt. and effect of demonetisation that lead to this coercive transition .Surely, The use of this electronic highway for transactions have transformed our financial outlook to a great extent. It has not only improved govt. efficiency to deliver welfare schemes but also helped in curbing tax evasion. Also it can ensure routinely transfer of payments to beneficiaries of various schemes such as MGNREGA and SSP. Still inflicting the use of this electronic highway by govt. is questioned by various laureates who argue that it doesn’t seem in compliance with individual rights and autonomy.
However,whether or not it is in compliance with individual rights, it can help in addressing bigger issues like poverty and malnutrition.But its not only rights various other issues concerns this digital infrastructure such as
  1. Increasing Cases of Frauds and Cyber attack.
  2. Lack of Knowledge about it among citizens
  3. Lack of awareness of its benefits among citizens.
  4. Absence of robust digital infrastructure to serve this large population.
  5. Absence of basic infrastructure such as electrcity.
Finally the government need to take measures to tackle these problems such as
  1. The government need to release data about how much it has benefited from this increase in digital transactions in terms of percentage of budgets and how much of it has been spent on various sector such has health, education, security.
2. Also, the govt. needs to launch awareness campaigns telling people about its benefits.
3. It need to build adequate digital infrastructure ensuring connectivity in remote areas as well as building support infrastructure ensuring adequate supply of electricity to these areas .
4. The govt. need to launch portal and programs in coordination with gram panchayats to teach people about making digital payments its security concerns i.e. what to do and what not to do. It will also enhance the security.
5. It also needs an robust cyber security system as well. So cooperating with countries like Israel can help in building and enhancing our cyber security system.
6. The RBI needs to cooperate with banks and also ensure that they provide adequate and quality services to their customers in digital domain.
7. Also the govt. will need a backup mechanism of transaction apart from digital space to deal with uncertainties like flood, earthquake and other disasters. So possibility of another means of transaction need not to be ruled out completely.
Overall this transition is questioned in variety of ways but still it has helped our economy and addressed various lacuna and problems prevailing for a longer course of time. With more appropriate investment and usage of it we can avail its benefits in long term and also address the macroscopic problems like corruption, poverty to a greater extent.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The Blue Whale Challenge, today's big question

Deadly Blue Whale Challange is presently rocking news every day. It is being linked with teenage suicides in many countries like Russia (where the number is highest), India, Europe and now in the USA as well.

It is an 'Internet/Social Media' based game. The task is assigned to each player by a curator of the group. Initially, it begins with easy tasks like

Sunday, November 13, 2016

India-Japan Civil Nuclear deal and it's impact on India's 3-Stage Civilian Nuclear Program.

In following video. I've explained 3-Stage Nuclear Program and it's implication along with impact on Indian economy.

"Energy security is an important element of social security." India's 3-Stage Nuclear Program tries to ensure the same.






Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Poly-bag to Cigarette : Governments are doing great job.

If you caught possessing poly bag you will be fined Rs. 500/- in Uttar Pradesh and if you found selling cigarette below 18 year old you will be find Rs. 200/- Under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act, 2003. (here in after TPA).

Tobacco is curse for younger population, Because realise or not you are an asset for nation and to prove yourself as an asset you need to be fit physically and mentally. While consuming cigarette like Cheetos and Kurkure you can never remain fit physically or mentally. 

Monday, January 4, 2016

Internet.org to FreeBasics : The bunch of lies

What is it ? 

It is a platform for providing free access to internet for users who subscribed particular telecom network presently, Reliance in India.

All the traffic will be free for the FreeBasics/Internet.org and associated website. Rest of the internet will be charged.


It appears good why everyone is opposing ?

Sustainability of Social Network lies in number of people connect through it. facebook is dominant one in this situation. It now aims at reaching to hitherto not connected population. This move will give facebook to access about 20% of population of world which is either in remote areas or too poor to access the internet.

BUT, FreeBasic platform is proving free access to some website which is selected by facebook itself. Means facebook will decide which is good for us.
It says "Data" which will be generated by it will not be used by facebook. Come on are you kidding. facebook a company which survives on data will not use data from it.

Facebook concept of equality, Give poor to access to some websites free and charge for others. Actual concept of equality, give access to all the internet at low cost or free of cost. It is more like Digital apartheid than Digital Equality 

In current version facebook is sole authority to decide who will be the partner in the project. Means facebook will posses monopoly over network. This will result in restriction on innovation over the FreeBasics network. 

New services which are innovative and enhances the productivity will have to conform the facebook marketing strategy. Otherwise you are not allowed by facebook.

Corporate with deep pockets will pay and get access to the platform but small and innovative startup will loose the competition. It will ensure rich will be rich and poor remain poor by ceasing their opportunity for fair competition.

This situation will also limit the potential of poor population which will access the internet through FreeBasics because the technology/ website/ portal which will not join FreeBasics will remain inaccessible from them. 

For Example, if Whatsapp would have emerged in time where net is flowing through FreeBasics then certainly service would not have been same as it is today, because facebook would have manipulated Whatsapp in the manner where facebook can save million of dollars which it had to spend for buying Whatsapp. Since facebook messenger was loosing market shares to Whatsapp.

Promotion of unhealthy competition is also a threat. e.g. If Flipkart subscribe for platform and Snapdeal does not then Flipkart will be taking advantage of the situation and it is also possible that Flipkart and facebook may go in secret pact which will disqualify any other e-commerce to ensure Flipkart holds monopoly on it.

Therefore, bottom line is that internet which is out of control from any particular organisation is pain full for many ones. That's why they are trying to control it by playing emotive card of free for poor under the grab of equality.
So Mr. Mark you are genius but we are not fools. If you really intent to server the cause so make it promising.