Look at that title – The Destruction of Democracy, it sounds like the title of some dystopian sci-fi novel or something. It also could be the start of some great conspiracy theory but how would much would it scare you to know that this is happening now and in a way has already happened? Would it scare you more to think that you, we, you and I are being used as the tools to destroy democracy?
Far fetched?
Fantasy?
How about fact, but don’t take my word for it – Google Cambridge Analytica. When I Googled this among the search results was an image at the top right, depicting a brain and the words “Data-driven behaviour change.” Looking at some of the highlights of the other Google results are a mix of results with Trump and Brexit in them. To explain this a little better is a (rather long) article from the Guardian:
the-great-british-brexit-robbery-hijacked-democracy
So what we have is a company using data from social media to deliver specific military style propaganda to individuals based on their social background – all of this being done by data derived by social media.
Now let’s get a bit more up to date – the UK elections, called in order to secure Brexit and a large Conservative lead. What already seems have turned into a presidential style campaign with a deranged May shouting her mouth off about conspiracies from within the EU it seems there’s an even darker twist to their campaign. It’s been said that the Conservatives campaign may be using the services of guess who? Yup – Cambridge Analytica!
So what we’re facing here is a lot of people being bombarded with subtle but powerful persuasion in order to win votes and gain power. If this is true it stinks! We’re now faced with the choice of voting for those we think are unvotable or the billionaire data hackers? What’s the world coming to?
If this is true could this be the start of dystopia?
The end of any kind of recognizable democracy?
If it’s true… makes you think doesn’t it?
Simon 
Simon's Space 
It’s good to see more blogs highlighting the erosion of Democracy. Brilliant.
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Thanks for that, its appreciated. I simply hate how they just see the public as puppets and want to do little work to get to the top. Still, in this case the stupid woman shot herself in the head and lost out lol
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There is an old saying ‘ all is fair in love and war ‘ does it apply to manipulation of public opinion? Advertising has been with us a long long time and we advertise our own opinions with every post. Subliminal adverts on TV were banned because they were without our knowledge , does this come under the same heading ? I think not for we are adults who should be able to sift what is thrown at us.
How many times have I heard adverts don’t affect me I ignore them ; can we really ignore them ?
The human mind is the most sensitive and complex thing in the known universe and now some neuroscientists believe we have no free will but our decisions are governed by our past.
Then we could question what we call democracy ; is the handing over of all decisions to a select band for five years democratic? Perhaps it is the nearest we can get to democracy.
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Thanks for sharing my post 🙂
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interesting theory … what would I know? But I do know that our current ‘democracy’ closely resembles the ‘communism’ I saw in Russia decades ago. The rich [card holders] have anything they wish … the masses only just survive in abject poverty slaving for those few … they manipulate the system and we feed them the info to allow that … go figure
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That’s very much how i feel about it too Kate…
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our govt released a new budget last week … wiped out all company tax but increased personal tax and targeted those on benefits who already live well below the poverty line … as the gap widens it will be addressed in an unseemly manner! The ‘haves’ have left it too late ….
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Is this I Australia? That seems a weird way to go about things I agree. We equally have idiotic policies over here.
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yes and you would never guess that our pollies are business men, from both sides of the floor. So they look after their mates and propagate the myth that those on the dole are bankrupting the country … people only need look at the figures to know the truth but amazing how many believe what they are told!
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They only do what’s supposed to be popular to get voted back inn again. That’s what’s stupid about the whole system.
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doesn’t really matter if they get voted in again or not here … they are still entitled to a huge taxpayer funded pension with massive perks after ONE term … even tho one has been jailed for embezzlement, WTF?!
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Oeuvre heard rumours about your leaders milking the system. How bad is it?
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well they are getting richer while we get poorer but there has been several made to quit because of their rorts … expensive helicopter ride to private wedding, dogs transported in chauffeured govt car … it goes on and on … criminal really! We would be charged and fined .. not them. One rule for the rich n powerful another for the rest of us
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Yes… There are two rules. It happens here too and it stinks!
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Thanks for the follow btw… I didn’t know you weren’t following me 😊
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I was but I’ve discovered that I haven’t been getting posts in my reader from my early follows. So chopped a lot and re followed. Gremlins in the system!
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Oh i see… Yeah i get that!
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Yes. This is the stuff Orwell fictionalized in 1984. It happens and it’s been happening for a while. It just takes us a little while to notice and even longer to react.
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We’ve got to react quicker… But alas i fear you’re right!
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I live in the United States and have seen it happening The more scary and sinister info that can be put out to people who (1) have the right to vote and (2) haven’t the mental or technical wherewithal to check the veracity on their own, the more this will happen. “Here are your horrible problems! Only XYZ can fix them! Don’t trust anyone else who tries to tell you different!” People with big money can buy access and thus buy the government they want for themselves which will create the world they want for themselves.
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True, social media is how we consume so much of our information. What was once a space for sharing, connectivity, and community, is now a conduit for sales, propaganda, and control of the masses.
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This is a sad and sinister truth… It is control too. Then they try and dismiss others for attacking democracy. Total hippocrates.
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Political parties have been using ‘big’ data (mainly gleaned from social media) to specifically target certain demographics since at least 2010. If you are a parent with young children, they will send you examples of how they have helped local primary schools, for example. Older people get guff about pension policies. It’s been going on for a while, now.
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I didn’t know it went that far back, the whole thing is worrying if you ask me.
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Very worrying indeed, not to mention sinister. The worst part is, we are doing it to ourselves by our reliance on social media.
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That’s the bit that really irks me.
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When George Orwell predicted ‘Big Brother is watching’, he didn’t realise that it would be us holding the cameras… scary stuff!
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