Reality is the Next Big Thing

The Internet still enjoys a mostly good reputation as an open, free network with "social media" that provides communication tools, free for all. It allows us to stay in touch with friends around the world and thus makes our life easier. These tools from Internet giants, such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft (Skype), are also utilized and appreciated by political activists and start-up entrepreneurs.

However, it is generally known that, while we engage with such platforms, all data is stored and meticulously analyzed to eventually bring corporations, intelligence agencies and governments enormous profits and to increase their power. In the future, Internet giants like Google will earn money simply from knowing every detail about their users and their daily-lives. The venue of this business model is no longer the virtual world, but the real world. Fiber optic lines, drones, Google Glass, intelligent clothing, robots and automated vehicles serve only one clear goal: to gain direct access to our lives.

How can we avert this threat? Regulation, legislation, democratic control? How can we all contribute?