When will this happen? In China, “when” is now:
By Martin Harris
It’s the year 2030. Old Mr. Harris is tottering to the Light Rail platform after a hard day’s work. Time was, at 65 he could have retired. “Now they keep you working ’til you drop” he mutters. Feeling thirsty, he stops at a water bottle dispenser. He remembers a time not so long ago one could drink water from the tap at home (and for free no less!) without it tasting of chlorine. “10 Credits deducted. Enjoy your drink …Mr Harris“. Harris mutters something impolite under his breath. He fumbles with the plastic cap, and drops it, watching in despair as it rolls away, straight down the gutter to begin a journey to the ocean. Damn! Did “they” see? He glances up at the camera on the street corner. Tries not to look guilty. Oh well.
The old wretch shuffles his aching bones to the train door. the facial scanner does it’s thing. “Sorry… Mr. Harris” intones the device, “Your Transit Credit has been suspended for...four…days”. Crap. They saw.
Oh well, taxi it is, then. Mr. Harris shuffles to the road and waits for a taxi to pull up at the stand. Before he can get in, the driverless device drones “Sorry, Mr. Harris, your Transit Credit has been…” “Yes, yes!” he interrupts, “I know.”
Nothing for it but a long walk. He remembers personal transport. Something only the wealthy can afford now, and even then they can immobilise your car or E-Bike for the slightest transgression. Better call home he supposes. “Sorry Mr. Harris, your communication Credit has been suspended for…four…days.”
Utterly defeated and alone, old Mr. Harris sits in the middle of the footpath and sobs. “Sir!” a Police Drone hovers over him. “obstruction of a public walkway is punishable by two week credit suspension!”.
This is not just imaginative science fiction guys. This could be just around the corner. Take away your autonomy, control your options for food, transport and communication, and take those options away for punishment. Driverless cars, light rail, facial recognition and RFID chipping are all means to an end. Total control over you, as the song goes. A prison without walls.
When will this happen? In China, “when” is now:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5730910/china-social-credit-rating-blacklists-citizens/
https://www.wired.com/story/age-of-social-credit/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/24/chinas-social-credit-system-bans-millions-travelling/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Credit_System
Lest you think this is a “China only” issue, I remind the reader of Xi Jinping’s bold statements about China’s position as the leader of the “New Global Order”.
READ CHINA’ S SOCIAL CREDIT DOCUMENT HERE:
Planning Outline for the Construction of a Social Credit System (2014-2020)