Exploring the Afterlife of Data: Ownership, Privacy, and Legacy
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Chapter 1: The Boom of Data Afterlife
The realm of data afterlife is experiencing significant growth. But what happens to the vast amounts of personal data we generate — from blog entries, tweets, and online purchases to Google searches and intimate messages — after we pass away? Who has the rights to this information? Who is interested in it? Who stands to profit from it? These questions are at the forefront of Carl Ohman's extensive investigation titled The Afterlife of Data. The book prompts readers to explore perspectives they may never have considered, carefully weighing the pros and cons of various scenarios. While it is thorough and insightful, some may find it lacks a degree of impartiality. Ohman advocates for the preservation and utilization of this data deluge.
Data is often viewed as a burden. It accumulates rapidly and in vast quantities, consuming extensive computer resources, climate-controlled storage, and significant energy. Maintaining such data can be prohibitively expensive. Moreover, it is fragile; outdated technologies can render it inaccessible in a matter of years. Understanding it can take generations, and a simple misstep can erase it entirely. Ohman highlights that the "digital remains" of individuals are becoming a pressing issue, revealing a struggle that many are unaware occupies so much time and energy.
Ownership and privacy issues arise prominently in this discussion. Who authorized the compilation of my entire existence — every journey taken, every conversation had, every bill settled, and every governmental document received — to reconstruct my life or influence others'? Who granted permission for the buying and selling of my personal data?
Section 1.1: The Web 2.0 Dilemma
With the rise of social media, the deceased are projected to outnumber the living on these platforms within a few decades. These accounts may remain active, prompting questions about the desirability of having a digital presence after death. Families, friends, and fans often resist attempts to remove the deceased's accounts, presenting an additional cost for profiles that will no longer engage with advertisements. The sheer number of accounts and their accompanying photos is staggering.
On the other hand, society has never been so thoroughly documented. The ability to reconstruct lives with unprecedented data is remarkable, leading Ohman to suggest that perhaps all data should be protected for its cultural significance, akin to UNESCO heritage sites.
Subsection 1.1.1: Historical Perspectives on Memory Preservation
Ohman traces humanity's desire to honor the dead back to early civilizations. For instance, ancient tribes buried their deceased beneath their homes to keep them close. The Natufians incorporated the heads of the departed into their dwelling structures. This behavior illustrates a deep-seated human inclination to preserve memories in a tangible manner. Ohman argues that big data may know more about individuals than they know about themselves.
Chapter 2: The Digital Afterlife Industry
The narrative explores a Black Mirror episode where a grieving widow uses technology to resurrect her deceased husband through messages, voice replication, and ultimately, a lifelike robot. This scenario raises ethical concerns about profiting from grief.
Businesses specializing in memorializing loved ones through social media posts are emerging. One company mentioned by Ohman sends continuous prayers for Muslim subscribers, exemplifying how the Digital Afterlife Industry thrives on data generated by the living. As long as capitalism exists, there will be attempts to monetize the information we share, with death serving as the foundation for these ventures.
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The complexities of these issues are vast. Ohman navigates the book skillfully, but its intricate, self-referential nature sometimes necessitates reminders of earlier points and characters. While this could be seen as beneficial, it occasionally feels redundant.
However, my concern lies in the reality that, outside of certain elite circles, few people can name their relatives beyond three generations. The vast majority are unaware of their great-grandparents' stories. Flipping through my parents' photo albums, I can only identify a small fraction of the individuals depicted. The drive to preserve the digital remnants of our civilization may not resonate beyond historians and researchers.
Should we prioritize archiving these digital artifacts over essential social services? After all, once deceased, the opinions of others about you hold little consequence. How many descendants in the 26th century will truly care about the minutiae of your life in the 21st century, or that of your relatives?
In a pivotal moment, Ohman reveals the inspiration behind his inquiry in the Acknowledgments: “Our sometimes heated (rarely sober) debates in the pubs of Oxford have been more educational than any class I have ever taken.” This insight reframes the book’s narrative, emphasizing the depth of thought and dialogue that has shaped its exploration of the 21st century's digital conundrum. Kudos to Ohman and his peers for their thorough examination of a complex subject, all without the aid of digital records during their discussions.
David Wineberg
(The Afterlife of Data, Carl Ohman, April 2024)