Machine Readable Me: The Hidden Ways Tech Shapes Our Identities

Digital information about who we are is gathered from all angles via biometric scans, passport applications, and social media, but it can never fully capture our complex, fluid identities over decades of our lives. This data populates numerous databases that can make life-or-death decisions, such as who is allowed access to welfare benefits or who is granted food parcels as they pass war-torn borders. Machine Readable Me considers how and why data that is gathered about us is increasingly limiting what we can and cant do in our lives and what the alternatives are.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: 404 Ink

As we navigate our daily lives, a wealth of digital information about our identities is collected through various means, including biometric scans, passport applications, and, of course, social media. While this data may provide a glimpse into our lives, it fails to fully capture the intricate and ever-changing aspects of our complex identities over the course of decades. Nevertheless, this data is stored in numerous databases that we may be unaware of, and it plays a crucial role in making life-or-death decisions, such as determining who receives welfare benefits or receives food parcels during times of war.

One of the greatest joys of humanity is the ability to define ourselves and choose how we wish to be perceived publicly and privately. However, the over-reliance of government bureaucracy on systems that assume that digital avatars can adequately represent our identities can limit the opportunities available to us in life, both professionally and personally. This data can reinforce systemic inequalities and restrict our ability to pursue our dreams and aspirations.

Machine Readable Me delves into the ways in which data gathered about us is increasingly limiting our actions and choices, and it explores the alternatives available to us. It raises important questions about the ownership of our data, the transparency of data collection practices, and the potential for data to be used for the benefit of society as a whole. By understanding the implications of our digital footprint, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world where our identities are respected and protected.

Dimension: 175 x 120 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912489824