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The Google Map Hack in Berlin In 2020, artist Simon Weckert created a fake traffic jam on Google Maps by walking around Berlin with 99 active smartphones, highlighting our reliance on digital tools. 😉True Human creativity! # smartphone #creativity #technology
I see no creativity here. All systems are built on data input signals and there can be ways to exploit those data input methods. We see "tricks" like these everyday in industry, such as tricking a production line's product counter photocell by simply waving your hand in front of it. Does doing this prove you are smart? No. Does doing this prove that the system is stupid? No. All that does is that it shows that you have an understanding of how the data input of the sytem works, and you have found a way to manipulate it. Good for you...
Life hack: When you drive somewhere you just need to have a bunch of the phones in the car to have a completely free road ahead
NOT ALL TESTS PROVE It was very easy to create a "real" and "true" scenario while it was all fake. Today, at many times in life, similar things can happen. We can get stuck in a jam of many things that could be done if we turned off our devices and walked, so to speak. For example, we may get stuck in a jam of doubts about whether it would be a good idea to start a business, just because Google Maps says that to start a business we first have to follow "certain procedures". Or it could be that we get stuck in a jam of doubts about leaving our comfort zone and taking on a new professional opportunity. Not all information is irrefutable proof. Some are just testing others to see how far their dependence on other people's information goes. Get out of the car and see if there really is a traffic jam, otherwise you will be late or perhaps never get to life's great opportunities.
As someone who lived in Berlin for a couple of years. I love this. Old East German (earnest) social ideals still exist in that city. Along with a long history of all sorts of associated things like protest, street art, antiestablishment actions, like functioning liveable squats with management committees and associated businesses. It is also not a dense big city, and where he was walking wouldn’t have created a massive disruption. To me a great harmless prank, and statement about the nature of society and an opportunity to the be reminded of the digital trails we participate in, change, suffer and benefit from daily.
Und was soll das bringen oder daran Kunst oder kreativ sein?
What if this caused a delay in a medical emergency?
Is it legal? Some places might have laws against #manipulatingdata, but there isn't a universal law against it, especially for experiments like Weckert's Google Maps hack. Here's why it's complex: 📌 Data Misuse vs Experiment: Laws often target malicious data manipulation, like #hacking or changing #data for personal gain. Weckert's experiment, though manipulating data, aimed to highlight a potential issue. 📌 New & Evolving Field: Data privacy and manipulation laws are constantly evolving as technology advances. There might not be specific legislation against this exact type of experiment. 📌 Focus on Harm vs Intent: Legal questions around data manipulation often focus on proven harm. While Weckert's experiment bent the truth, it didn't cause any direct traffic disruption. 📌 Here's how to find out more: Search for Specific Laws: Look for "data manipulation laws" or "data privacy laws" for New York or the specific country you're interested in. 📌 Look for Legal Precedents: Sometimes, there might not be a specific law, but previous court cases involving data manipulation could offer insights. Legal databases might require a subscription, but some offer free basic searches.
It doesn't really show our reliance on digital tools . -We know and want that - that's why we are using them, to provide us with things, that we wouldn't have without them. -You could also say it shows our reliance on cars - because as seen in the video, people on foot or bike are not impacted, quite the opposite. What it really shows is that we rely on cooperation. One contrarian buffon can throw a wrench into our machinery. It's nice for him to hurt thousands of people to make his video and I confess that I laughed when I have seen this for the first time. How should we react to that? Tighten rules against smart phone abuse? With technology (e.g. put more fail safes into Google Map's algorithms for even more know it betters to abuse)? calling the police? My gut instinct is to rely on people's desire to cooperate and make the world a better place for all. but then I open my browser...
Interesting example of how data can be manipulated. As we focus more and more on data and even AI, let us remind ourselves that the context should always be considered. 'How, What, Why, and When?' data is collected can significantly impact the final interpretation of the facts. So ... when presented with an array of figures, stats, and luring numbers, remember to consider the 'What, Why, When, and How'. Thoughts ...
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2moTrying to work out - what's the 'message' here? Yeah, the tech relies on phones acting as reporters, and so what? What else would you want or expect? I can cut off my pinky finger with a kitchen knife. That was never the intention, so if I say: "look - the knife was used in a scenario it was not intended for, so look how poorly that knife has been created"? I'm not seeing the massive and groundbreaking news...? Are you?