Political Tensions and Corporate Power

The return of Trump and the growing influence of Christian nationalists in American politics mirror the authoritarian regimes often portrayed in cyberpunk narratives. This shift towards a more theocratic government, with groups aiming to reshape laws based on religious values, echoes the oppressive power structures commonly found in cyberpunk worlds. The blurring of lines between government and religious institutions resembles the corporate-controlled societies in many cyberpunk stories, where traditional democratic processes are subverted by powerful entities.

Technological Advancements and AI

The rapid rise of AI, exemplified by China’s DeepSeek, parallels the omnipresent artificial intelligence systems in cyberpunk fiction. DeepSeek’s ability to match or surpass Western AI models at a fraction of the cost reflects the genre’s theme of technological innovation outpacing societal readiness. This breakthrough, causing market disruptions and intensifying US-China tech rivalries, mirrors the global power struggles often depicted in cyberpunk narratives.

Ubiquitous Technology and Surveillance

The increasing availability of cheap technology like smartphones, drones, and bots aligns with the cyberpunk vision of a world saturated with high-tech gadgets. This proliferation of technology, while offering convenience, also raises concerns about privacy and surveillance – a central theme in cyberpunk stories. The potential for an “Internet of Things” by 2025, where everyday objects become information nodes, further blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds, a hallmark of cyberpunk settings.

Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

The escalating frequency of climate-related disasters echoes the environmental crises often portrayed in cyberpunk fiction. The disproportionate impact of these events on marginalized communities reflects the social inequality prevalent in cyberpunk narratives. The potential for climate-induced mass migrations by 2050 aligns with the dystopian futures often depicted in the genre.

Wealth Disparity and Corporate Dominance

The growing economic inequality, exacerbated by technological advancements and climate change, mirrors the stark class divides common in cyberpunk worlds. The increasing power of tech giants and their influence over daily life parallels the corporate-dominated societies often portrayed in the genre.

Conclusion

The convergence of these factors – political authoritarianism, rapid technological advancement, environmental crisis, and widening social divides – creates a reality that increasingly resembles the dystopian futures envisioned in cyberpunk fiction. As we navigate this complex landscape, the genre’s themes of resistance, identity, and the human spirit in the face of overwhelming systems become increasingly relevant to our lived experience.

The Vision for a Quantum Computing Campus

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, anchored by Silicon Valley-based PsiQuantum, is set to occupy 128 acres of the former South Works steel mill site. The ambitious project aims to host a quantum computing campus with a cryoplant to maintain the frigid temperatures required for quantum computers. In addition to research facilities, the campus will also include workforce development programs and supplier facilities for quantum components.

The potential benefits of this project are vast. Quantum computing has the capacity to revolutionize industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, energy, and finance. PsiQuantum’s goal of building a one-million-qubit quantum computer could position Illinois as a global leader in this emerging technology. Yet, with only two companies globally managing to exceed processors with 1,000 qubits, the road ahead is far from certain.

Community Skepticism: A History of Broken Promises

The South Works site has seen numerous redevelopment proposals come and go, from plans for a movie studio campus to a 20,000-home neighborhood. Decades of stalled projects have left many residents skeptical about the viability of yet another grand vision. While officials assure that the site’s environmental safety has been confirmed through multiple studies, the shadow of past failures looms large.

Community leaders, such as Alderman Peter Chico, stress the need for collaboration to ensure the project delivers lasting benefits to the Southeast Side. However, skepticism persists, with residents voicing concerns about whether this development will truly materialize or if it’s yet another promise that fails to deliver.

Addressing Environmental and Economic Concerns

Environmental concerns are a focal point for many in South Chicago, a community historically burdened by pollution. Officials have promised that the cryoplant and other facilities will operate without carbon emissions and will have a minimal environmental footprint. Despite these assurances, residents remain cautious, given the site’s history as an industrial hub.

On the economic front, the project is estimated to cost $9 billion, with the potential to attract $20 billion in private investments over the next decade. Illinois has already committed $500 million toward quantum research, and additional funding is expected from the federal government. However, questions remain about how many jobs the campus will create and whether those jobs will be accessible to local residents. Officials have pledged to work with local schools and colleges to create a talent pipeline, but the community demands more concrete commitments.

Unanswered Questions and the Path Forward

Who will benefit most from this development? That’s the question on the minds of South Chicago residents. While PsiQuantum expects to create at least 150 jobs over five years, ranging from doctoral-level positions to technical lab roles, many question whether the local community will see meaningful employment opportunities. With only 20 percent of South Chicago residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the challenge of bridging the skills gap is significant.

Community benefits agreements (CBAs) have been proposed as a way to ensure that local residents and businesses profit from the development. However, neither the city nor project backers have committed to such agreements, citing the early stages of planning. This hesitation has only fueled concerns about transparency and equity in the project’s implementation.

Key Takeaways

• The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park promises to position South Chicago as a global leader in quantum computing, but the technology is still in its infancy.
• Decades of failed redevelopment projects have left residents skeptical about the viability of this ambitious plan.
• Environmental and economic concerns remain at the forefront, with promises of a minimal carbon footprint and investment in local job creation.
• Community leaders and residents demand assurance that the project will deliver tangible benefits for South Chicago, including accessible jobs and local business opportunities.
• As planning progresses, transparency and community involvement will be critical to ensuring the project’s success and acceptance.

Source: The Race To Build Quantum Campus Is On — And South Siders Won’t Be Left Behind, Officials Say

The Mission of Privacy International

Privacy International is dedicated to defending the right to privacy across the globe. Through advocacy, research, and collaboration, the organization works to ensure that individuals can live free from intrusive surveillance and data exploitation. Whether it’s pushing for stronger data protection laws or exposing abuses, PI plays a critical role in empowering people to take control of their personal information.

The organization collaborates with partners worldwide to address privacy challenges. By producing research, guides, and resources, PI equips individuals and organizations with the knowledge they need to protect themselves in an increasingly data-driven world.

Key Resources Offered by Privacy International

Privacy International offers a wide range of resources to educate and empower its audience. For instance, the State of Privacy project provides insights into privacy and surveillance issues worldwide. This initiative, developed in collaboration with global partners, sheds light on how privacy laws and practices differ across countries.

Another valuable resource is the Examples of Abuse section, which documents real-world cases of data misuse by governments and corporations. By understanding these examples, individuals and policymakers can work to prevent similar abuses in the future.

For those looking to engage in policy discussions, PI’s Data Protection Guide offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing and improving data protection practices. This guide is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in advocating for stronger privacy protections in their community.

Advocating for a Fairer Digital Future

One of PI’s most powerful messages is that privacy is a fundamental human right. With the rise of data exploitation and invisible manipulation, PI emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness in how technology is used. From Privacy Matters resources to case studies on manipulation, the organization highlights the risks of unchecked technological power.

By challenging surveillance and exploitation in systems like social benefits and immigration, PI also advocates for the dignity and rights of marginalized communities. Resources like guides for migrants and asylum seekers illustrate the organization’s commitment to equity and justice in a world increasingly dominated by data-driven systems.

Key Takeaways from Privacy International

• Privacy International is dedicated to protecting the right to privacy globally.
• The organization provides resources like the State of Privacy, Examples of Abuse, and Data Protection Guide to educate and empower individuals and organizations.
• Through advocacy and research, PI challenges surveillance, data exploitation, and manipulation in systems that impact everyday lives.
• Privacy is emphasized as a fundamental human right that must be preserved in the face of rapid technological advancements.
• By focusing on equity and justice, PI supports marginalized communities disproportionately affected by data misuse.

Source: Privacy International | Learn what we work on

The FCC and the “Equal Time Rule”: A Weaponized Regulation

The “equal time rule” was initially designed to ensure fairness in political broadcasting, mandating that candidates receive equivalent airtime. Historically, it served to level the playing field in an era of limited broadcast frequencies. However, Carr is leveraging this regulation in a way that raises eyebrows and alarms.

Carr’s threats to revoke NBC’s broadcast license over Kamala Harris’s appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) are a case in point. The claim that NBC violated the rule is factually inaccurate. NBC affiliates, not NBC itself, hold the broadcast licenses, and the network’s programming adhered to the rule by providing equal airtime to other candidates. Moreover, it’s worth noting that Republicans, including Carr, have long opposed the equal time rule as an extension of the controversial Fairness Doctrine. The sudden embrace of this regulation reeks of opportunism rather than principle.

By threatening to pull licenses, Carr sends a chilling message: platforms hosting viewpoints he opposes could face costly investigations. While he lacks the direct authority to revoke licenses, the threat alone is enough to encourage self-censorship among broadcasters. This tactic undermines the spirit of the First Amendment, which prohibits government interference in free speech and a free press.

Section 230 and the Attack on Content Moderation

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is often misunderstood and misrepresented, but its foundational purpose is clear: to protect online platforms from liability for user-generated content while empowering them to moderate harmful material. Carr’s recent actions suggest a deliberate attempt to misinterpret and undermine this law.

In a letter to major tech companies, Carr accused them of “censorship” for using NewsGuard, a service that evaluates the trustworthiness of news sources. His argument hinges on the claim that such partnerships violate the “good faith” provision of Section 230, a claim that courts have consistently rejected. The “good faith” clause applies narrowly to specific types of content moderation and does not negate the broader protections offered by Section 230.

Furthermore, Carr’s assertion that the FCC has jurisdiction over Section 230 contradicts the legislative intent behind the law. When Congress passed Section 230, it explicitly sought to prevent FCC regulation of online content. By threatening to reinterpret the law, Carr not only oversteps his authority but also risks eroding the very protections that have enabled the internet to thrive.

At its core, Carr’s strategy is about coercion. By targeting NewsGuard and other content moderation tools, he aims to pressure tech companies into avoiding fact-checking and other practices he finds unfavorable. This is not a defense of free speech; it’s an attack on the rights of platforms to exercise their own editorial discretion.

The Broader Implications for Free Speech

The actions of Brendan Carr reveal a troubling pattern: the use of regulatory power to silence dissent and promote a partisan agenda. Whether through threats to broadcasters or attacks on content moderation, his approach undermines the principles of free speech he claims to uphold.

This trend is particularly concerning in an era where digital platforms play a central role in public discourse. By forcing companies to self-censor or face regulatory retaliation, Carr sets a dangerous precedent. If left unchecked, this could lead to a chilling effect on speech, where only viewpoints aligned with those in power are amplified.

The First Amendment was designed to protect against precisely this kind of overreach. It is not the role of the government to dictate what private entities can or cannot say. Yet, Carr’s actions blur the lines between regulation and censorship, threatening to erode the freedoms that underpin our democracy.

Key Takeaways

• Brendan Carr’s use of the FCC’s regulatory authority raises serious questions about government overreach and censorship.
• The “equal time rule” and Section 230 are being weaponized to suppress dissenting viewpoints.
• Threatening broadcasters and tech companies undermines the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
• Vigilance and advocacy are required to protect free speech in the face of such challenges.

Source: Brendan Carr Makes It Clear That He’s Eager To Be America’s Top Censor | Techdirt

Lawsuits as Weapons

The recent $10 billion lawsuit against CBS over Vice President Kamala Harris’s 60 Minutes interview exemplifies the intent to use the judicial system to intimidate and suppress critical media outlets. While legal experts universally dismiss the lawsuit as baseless, it has already served its purpose: creating a chilling effect on journalistic practices.

Filed in a jurisdiction known for favoring conservative causes, the lawsuit strategically plays into a larger narrative of attacking so-called “fake news” and undermining public trust in the press. CBS’s bold response—challenging the President-elect to appear on 60 Minutes to address grievances—stands as a testament to the courage needed to uphold journalistic integrity in these trying times.

A Climate of Fear

During the campaign, the President-elect intensified verbal assaults on the media, frequently encouraging supporters to boo and jeer at reporters during rallies. These orchestrated moments of hostility have now become a fixture of this political movement, cultivating an environment where journalists feel unsafe and targeted.

Moreover, threats to revoke broadcast licenses, investigate networks like NBC for “treason,” and imprison journalists for protecting sources have transitioned from campaign bluster to potential policy goals. This weaponization of government power against the press is an unprecedented escalation that could fundamentally alter the landscape of American journalism.

The Erosion of Public Trust

Anti-media rhetoric has significantly contributed to declining public trust in journalism, particularly among Republicans. According to a Pew Research Center study, trust in national news organizations among Republicans has plummeted to a historic low. This erosion of trust feeds into a vicious cycle: as the public becomes more skeptical of the media, efforts to hold power accountable become increasingly difficult.

A new FCC, a new mission: the “censorship cartel”

The appointment of Brendan Carr as FCC Chairman by the 2025 President-elect signals a potential shift in the regulatory landscape with significant implications for media and communications. Carr, known for his staunch criticism of major tech companies and advocacy for dismantling what he describes as a “censorship cartel,” has promised to reduce legal protections for platforms and scrutinize media organizations more closely. While Carr frames his priorities as promoting free speech, critics warn that his approach could lead to increased governmental control and suppression of dissenting voices. This appointment further underscores the incoming administration’s intent to reshape the boundaries of the freedom of the press and media accountability.

Why A Free Press Matters

A free press is not just a cornerstone of democracy; it is its lifeblood. The First Amendment ensures that journalists can report without fear of censorship or retribution, holding those in power accountable and keeping the public informed. Recent rhetoric and actions threaten to undermine these principles, creating a landscape where dissent is punished and misinformation thrives.

Now more than ever, news organizations must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to truth, accuracy, and ethical reporting. Journalistic integrity cannot be compromised, even in the face of political and legal pressures.

A Call to Action

As the incoming administration prepares to assume power, defending a free press will require collective effort. Journalists must continue to pursue their mission with courage, while the public must remain vigilant in supporting a free and independent press. Only through such unified resolve can we preserve the values that underpin American democracy.

Protect Your Privacy

It’s critical for individuals to take steps to safeguard their personal privacy. Use private browsing modes to limit tracking, VPNs to protect your location and encrypt your online activity, and messaging apps with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure your communications. For highly sensitive information, consider using TOR to anonymize your online presence. By adopting these tactical privacy measures, you can protect yourself and support a culture of free and open communication in an increasingly surveilled world.

This critical juncture for the United States demands action. How the nation addresses these challenges will define the future of its democracy and the role of the press in safeguarding it.

The media and technology landscape is poised for significant shifts as we move into 2025. With Brendan Carr, a contributor to Project 2025 and a staunch advocate for conservative viewpoints, named as the next chairman of the FCC, the regulatory focus is set to intensify on major tech companies and broadcasters. Carr’s commitment to addressing what he terms a “censorship cartel” has already sparked debate about the future of free speech and corporate accountability in digital spaces.

Under the incoming leadership, the FCC is expected to scrutinize content moderation practices, reassess regulations for broadcasters, and take a closer look at perceived biases in major tech platforms like Facebook, Google, and Apple. Additionally, this shift may open doors for companies aligned with deregulation, such as Elon Musk’s ventures, which stand to benefit from a more lenient regulatory approach.

While these changes unfold, one thing is clear: the digital ecosystem is entering a period of uncertainty and transformation. For individuals and businesses alike, now is the time to double down on the tools that protect your online presence. Privacy, security, and encryption should no longer be optional but essential components of navigating this evolving environment.

Why Act Now?

1. Evolving Regulations: With new policies on the horizon, it’s difficult to predict how data privacy, content moderation, and platform accessibility might be affected. Protecting your information proactively ensures you stay ahead of potential shifts.

2. Corporate and State Surveillance: Increased scrutiny of tech platforms may inadvertently lead to enhanced monitoring of user activities. Tools like end-to-end encryption, secure browsers, and privacy-focused platforms can shield your communications and data.

3. Uncertainty Breeds Vulnerability: As regulatory battles play out, misinformation and disruptions may rise. Using tools like encrypted email, secure VPNs, and decentralized apps can help maintain your digital autonomy.

Tools to Get Started

• Encrypted Messaging Apps: Apple’s Messages, Signal, Telegram (with Secret Chats), and other secure apps prioritize privacy.
• Privacy-First Browsers: Consider using TOR, or Brave/Firefox with privacy extensions like uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere.
• Privacy-First Search: Consider DuckDuckGo or Ecosia
• Secure Operating Systems: For advanced users, explore Tails OS or Whonix to safeguard sensitive activities.
• Password Management: Protect accounts with tools like Apple’s iCloud Passwords, Bitwarden or 1Password.
• VPN Services: Use trusted VPNs like ProtonVPN or NordVPN to anonymize your online presence.

A New Era Requires New Habits

As the media landscape undergoes significant shifts, the time to take charge of your digital presence is now. By integrating privacy-focused tools into your daily life, you can protect your personal and professional data from potential misuse or overreach.

The tools are available, and the need has never been greater. Start small but start now—your digital security is worth it.

• Signal Messenger
• ProtonVPN
• Privacy-Focused Browsers
• DuckDuckGo
• ProtonMail and Apple iCloud Custom Domains for Email

Signal Messenger
Signal is a powerful tool that stands out for its seamless blend of robust security and usability. Unlike traditional messaging platforms, Signal offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, protecting your conversations from prying eyes, and doesn’t store metadata—an ideal choice for those who understand the critical importance of data integrity in today’s digital landscape. For those in development and tech, Signal also aligns well with the principles of open-source transparency, providing full access to its code for audit and customization. The app’s straightforward UX makes it a perfect fit for everyday communication, whether you’re casually messaging or coordinating with others at events where privacy is paramount.

Category: Messaging. Link: https://signal.org/

ProtonVPN
If you’re new to VPNs, ProtonVPN is a solid choice for keeping your online activity private. It’s based in Switzerland, a country known for strong privacy protections and independence from global surveillance alliances like the “5 Eyes” (Or any other eyes for that matter. This is a group of countries that share intelligence). This means that ProtonVPN doesn’t have to share your information with any government surveillance networks. ProtonVPN also has a no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track or store what you do online, so you can browse securely and privately. Plus, it works across all your devices, making it easy to use anywhere you go.

Category: VPN, Link: https://protonvpn.com

Privacy-Focused Browsers
For non-Apple users, Brave and Firefox are excellent choices for secure, privacy-oriented browsing. Both browsers are built with privacy in mind: Brave blocks ads and trackers by default, giving you a faster, more private browsing experience without extra setup. It’s based on Chrome, so is widely compatible. Firefox, with its robust privacy controls and open-source foundation, empowers users to control their data and limit tracking from the ground up. Both options offer reliable alternatives to mainstream browsers that often monetize user data, making them solid picks for privacy-conscious users on non-Apple platforms.

For Apple platform users, I recommend Safari. It’s deep system integration, syncing with iCloud, and the ability to set Private Browsing as a default make this an amazing choice. See Apple’s commitment to privacy and security here. Best of all, there are no downloads. It’s built-in.

Category: Web browsing, Links: Safari, Brave, Firefox

DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is a user-friendly search engine designed to prioritize your privacy. Unlike many traditional search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches or store personal information, ensuring your queries remain confidential. Additionally, when you click on a search result, DuckDuckGo prevents your search terms from being shared with the destination website, further protecting your privacy. For added convenience, DuckDuckGo offers a “Sync & Backup” feature that allows you to securely synchronize your bookmarks and passwords across devices without compromising your privacy. DuckDuckGo is available as a default search engine in every modern browser.

Category: Search engine, Link: https://duckduckgo.com/

ProtonMail and Apple iCloud Custom Domains for Email
From the same team as ProtonVPN, ProtonMail is an email service designed to keep your messages private and secure. Unlike typical email providers, ProtonMail encrypts your emails, so only you and the person you’re emailing can read the messages—even ProtonMail itself can’t access them. It’s based in Switzerland, a country with strict privacy laws, which means your data is well protected from outside requests.

With iCloud+ and Apple Mail, you can use your own custom email domain (like yourname@yourdomain.com) while keeping Apple’s strong privacy protections. This feature allows you to manage personalized email addresses directly within the Apple ecosystem, adding flexibility without sacrificing privacy.

To set it up, go to iCloud.com or use the Settings app on your Apple device, navigate to iCloud > iCloud Mail > Custom Email Domain, and follow the setup prompts. Apple guides you through connecting your custom domain to iCloud, so your personalized email can be used seamlessly in Apple Mail across all your devices. Best of all, Apple’s privacy practices apply, so your data isn’t tracked or shared with advertisers, giving you the convenience of a custom domain with Apple’s focus on privacy.

Category: Email, Links: https://proton.me/mail, https://apple.com/icloud/

There are tens of millions of people that subscribe to a single occupation philosophy, and that’s not going to change any time soon. It’s also true that many of us have evolved to be stateless in our endeavors and exploration. We’ve chosen to pursue many things, things that interest us, challenge us, or motivate us.

As we move forward, some things are true… automation is going to increase its footprint exponentially, and it’s going to impact those with a single occupation more than others. Not just in the manual labor, transportation, and retail markets, but in places that are thought to be human exclusive domains.

AI and machines are doing more in music and the arts that you might expect. Everything from composition (Aiva) to performance, and when you consider things like digital effects (Adobe’s magic wand with Sensei AI). That’s not even scratching the surface of the changes coming in the creative arts.

And the medical field? Look up Giovanni Montana’s work in xray and AI. Legal? Luminance and eBravia. This list is a mile long. All of the incredibly lucrative “college required” fields are subject to automation too. Oh, look up Neocis (dentistry).

What about construction? There’s ICON.

This isn’t a bad thing in my opinion – as someone that simply loves and embraces technology of all kinds. It can be alarming if you’re not ready to hear it – but that fear won’t change it.

Here’s a reality check… our current government is not prepared to handle this outcome. Our “leadership” tasked staffers with developing questions to grill Zuckerberg. This is alarming – Zuckerberg runs intellectual HyperLoop powered circles around our government officials. This should be quite alarming to you. If it’s not, it could be that you’re not fully grasping what it means to have people in our government that don’t “do email.” or text at the very least.

We have a chance to change that in 2020. All but one of the candidates running in the democratic race are more of the same, specifically from a technological background. Our country can no longer afford to be led by someone that doesn’t directly understand how to grill someone like Zuckerberg themselves, and publicly. We need leadership that is intellectually comparable to the best minds in technology – and doesn’t have to rely on staff recommendations and lobbyists as their primary data set.

This is why #ISupportAndrewYang in 2020. He’s the only candidate that makes sense for the 21st century. Learn more about Andrew Yang here. #humanityfirst

The time I spend with Facebook today is very different from what it was just a few months ago. It’s mostly time looking at and reading stories from the groups I subscribe to. Oculus Quest has my attention today, my neighborhood, and similar groups too.

The reason I’ve made that change is that it’s really easy to get sucked in to the endless vortex of distraction. That’s been trending toward negative news, still, even as Facebook tweaks its algorithms.

It comes down to a few things. Who you follow, what their core beliefs are, and how often they tend to post about the things they’re passionate about. I have an incredibly diverse set of friends on the network, so my feed is filled with a delightfully cacophonous pool of noise – and those things can go decidedly against my core beliefs.

But I do have control, and so do you. I can view these networks (Twitter and LinkedIn included) as places to generally avoid, or I can infect them with the very ideals I hold true.

I can be that positivity you see in your feed. I can be the person that shares inspiration – not in the “success porn” most people share, but in items of true inspiration. I can share the things that I’m passionate about and that may motivate you to do something different (if you need that permission).

So here I am… sharing positivity. Hopefully we can help offset some of the craziness that’s been permeating my life through social media. It comes down to this… be the change. And no, it’s not lost on me that the video I’m sharing below will also go against the beliefs of many in my feed.

Here’s something I found today that truly inspired me. It’s Hamdi Ulakaya, of Chobani Yogurt and his thoughts on the anti-CEO. So much respect for this man and his idealism. He’s actually doing it where I find so many simply talking about it.

“A Conversation between Jim Yong Kim and Hamdi Ulukaya”by World Bank Photo Collection is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A license is granted once the applicant, typically a spry and eager teenager, passes a written test and the state sponsored or licensed driving test. Permits are issued under certain circumstances, but require a fully licensed driver to be present at all times while the permitted driver is behind the wheel. There is an early age requirement for both the license and the permit, and both require a very basic understanding of the laws of the road and basic vehicle operation.

Likewise, a license can be revoked by the issuer for many reasons… DUI, medical issues, too many “points” for infractions, etc.

It is a license to drive. There is no right to drive. It’s a privilege, earned by proving your understanding of the law and basic vehicle operation.

I have a simple proposal that would revolutionize the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and would lead to a guaranteed increases of funding for public roads.

Ready for it?

This is an idea so simple, it’s unbelievable.

I’m a software developer by trade with 25 years of experience behind me. One of the items I have to deal with on a regular basis, and something everyone reading this is familiar with is the “Software License Agreement.” License agreements are the little modal boxes that appear when you open software for the first time. Or when boot your new phone for the first time. Your computer, tablet, TV… they’are all bound by license agreements.

My proposal is to tie a similar license agreement to the driver’s license. This license agreement could be updated whenever necessary to incorporate new technologies related to driving, tolling, and public safety. It would require that each licensee have a correct and current method of contact tied to their license (as is already required by law).

Every update to the physical license requires a new agreement. Get a new license? Change your address? Renew your license? Lose it? You must agree to the new terms. This would ensure that every US citizen would have to agree to the terms within the next 5 to 10 years.

Typically it’s incumbent upon the user to check the license agreement for changes periodically, but the grantor also sends update notifications via email, text message, or snail mail. In this case, media would most certainly cover changes. Each state office can issue updates via social media channels, or via a simple newsletter subscription.

Why on earth would I propose such a preposterous scenario? It’s simple. While most people are good honest law abiding citizens, there is an ever growing group of individuals that would follow the law to the T with a little more encouragement. States and municipalities have tried various versions of automating the law – red light cameras, speed traps (vans with speed sensitive cameras and measurement), and more.

If your state sees it fit to implement automated methods to ensure public safety, that could easily be incorporated into the agreement.

For example, all toll roads could become speed monitors. They know when you enter and when you leave each entrance and exit. This is a math problem. They already have the vehicle’s license plate, so tying this back to the licensed vehicle and its owner is simple. Other automated means of speed patrol could be implemented – autonomous drones, sign affixed apparatus, etc. If given a range of tolerance (+10%), this would be highly effective at deterring speeding.

Another item in the agreement is red light cameras, and other automated traffic safety items. Driving through a crosswalk when the pedestrian present notification lights are flashing, school zone infractions, passing on the right, trucks in the left lane on freeways, and the list goes on and on. All of these can be automated, and should be.

Imagine going through a toll booth, then hearing your favorite navigation app tell you that you’ve just earned a point on your license and a $75 bill from the state because your average speed between booths was more than 10% of the stated speed limit. That $75 would be charged directly to your toll bill. It’s simple.

This could be implemented in no time, and with a relatively small budget (that would pay for itself quickly), with a simple state issued Mandatory Driver’s License Agreement.

A state mandated license agreement could be updated when new technologies enter the market. For example, what needs to change when autonomous vehicles enter the retail landscape?

If you oppose this idea, I encourage you to take a step back and think about why. It will always come down to the law. Rules are made to be broken, laws are not. If you speed (like I do, mind you) then you’re knowingly and intentionally breaking the law. Any aversion to automated testing is a personal plea to allow you to break the law. I know for a fact that I’d speed less (I’ve already been far more aware, and try to stay under 10%).

Pedestrian safety is an issue that needs to be addressed, and current methods are falling short. We have the technology to solve this. And we should.