Surveillance, Big Data, and a Fine Art

Originally Posted Thursday, October 17, 2013

Fog.  I have not seen fog for. . . I don't know how long, but this morning it consumed the tops of trees and hid the sky, a gray and white miasma of wonder.  Fog is mood, it is mystery.  More so if you live in the land of perpetual sunshine.  It was as if I woke up in another place, a vacation without leaving home.  I need change.  It is nice to have it served up on a plate. 

And then another treat, the story about the stenographer who lost her mind, grabbed the microphone, and began to rant about God on the House floor.  Oh. . . you can't buy that sort of entertainment.  We'll be reading more about this, I'm sure.  CNN didn't provide her name in the story, and I wonder why?  Are they not good enough journalists to get that?  Her name is Diane Reidy, and she wanted to introduce you to her friend God.  She felt the sudden need to speak for him since he didn't seem to be around at the moment, but she had an urgent message from him, apparently.  It couldn't wait.  They took her away for a mental exam, but I don't understand that.  Some things just need to be said.  Reports about her were that she was a reliable, friendly woman, affable even.  She had friends.  Nobody could imagine this. 

I think her friends should be in for a mental exam, too.  How do people like this get access to the House floor? 

Most of them get elected, of course. 

And more good news.  We have a Federal Government and Budget again.  Until January.  It's all smooth sailing now.  Those crazy Republicans have suddenly come to their senses.  Civility will rule. 

But ups come with downs, and I began to get messages from my friends.  Things aren't really better.  It was an illusion, perhaps the fog.  The world is crazier than ever, and I think I know the reason.  Big Data.  We all know Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle and the Observer Theory.  We are all observed all the time now.  It has changed the course of things.  We cannot accurately predict what will happen.  Can there be too much data?  It doesn't matter.  But I know that there can be too much observation.  It takes the mystery out of life.  It takes away the fog. 

I had the idea today for a new photo project.  It would involve surveillance and data.  I haven't worked it out yet, and I would need volunteers.  I would observe them relentlessly, recording their activities and behavior.  All of it would result in works of fine art.  This is BIG.  I will think about it and get back to you. 

But the fog has cleared now.  It is just another day.  Big Brother beckons.  You can't hide from God. 

It is time to go to work.