"What chu talkin’ bout Willis?"

I’m a technology guy. That is, I’m not an engineer, but I truly believe in the promise of technology, and that it will continue to make the world better for millions of people. So Malaria vaccines aside, every so often I think of something that makes me think “hmmm, will we give up all of our privacy and freedom if such and such happens?”

Here’s an example. Starting today, 2005, for the rest of your life, you better watch out what you say near any type of recording device! That is, don’t ever say anything out loud that you don’t mind having anyone hear. This will apply whether you’re planning to run for office in twenty-five years or if you just want to talk about your boss behind his back. Don’t ever call into a radio show anonymously and make an off color remark, because there will be no such thing as anonymous.

And the reason for the peril described above? The answer, of course, is Google. Maybe not Google specifically, but the future combination of different technologies will “out” us all on our perceived privacies. It goes like this. One form of biometric, a voice print, plus digitally recorded and stored audio, plus search algorithms equals the ultimate audio look up tool.

That means you could have every intention of leading a quiet life, not bothering anyone, and one day get pushed into the public eye --- say you win the lottery. The next day, you’re a news story, and all anyone needs to do is type in your name, select audio (or video for that matter) and click search. Everything you ever said near any type of a recorder pops up, including the time you promised that if you ever won the lottery you promised to give it all $340 million away to save endangered snail darter.

Be careful what you say.