justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

I forget that the Internet

“knows” what I’m doing

When I logged into my favorite news site this morning, I noticed that once again, an item I had searched for on Amazon was featured on the news site and many more that I visited this morning. Eerie? Surprising? Should be, but I’ve known for years that cookies have been attached to my computer doing their “I know what you’re doing” function quite well.

I also know I have the option to turn off that function, but what would come of the convenience I experience in not having to perform hundreds of keystrokes to get access – quickly?

I guess you might say that’s the price I pay for the convenience and power I appreciate while using my computer, reaping the benefits of all the Internet has to offer. It’s a perfect reminder of a Hobson’s choice, where there’s not really a choice at all. It’s also known as “take it or leave it.”

In my case, I can either accept the presence of cookies on my computer, and the advertisements they generate, or not enjoy the benefits that come from ease of access and return to sites previously opened.

Weighing the two options, I guess I’ll accept the “all knowing” nature of my computer and move on to the next irritant – which I guess is a kind of a choice... a freedom of a Hobson’s choice.

And has been said, “Freedom does come with a price.”