Over-Hyped AI, A Good Smart City?, AI Making Decisions, & Surveillance Pushback
In this episode of Banish Big Brother, hosts Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton dive into the complex world of AI, discussing whether AI has lived up to its promises or turned out to be a disappointment. They explore the rise of decision-making AI, also known as agentive AI, and debate...
Banish Big Brother Toolkit
Download the Banish Big Brother Toolkit The Banish Big Brother Toolkit is the essential toolkit for privacy activists, community organizers, and concerned citizens alike. Whether you’re worried about the use of facial recognition technology, the collection of personal data by smart devices, or the lack of transparency in the decision-making...
Paying Jobs in Virtual Worlds, Garbage Truck Spying, & Bird Flu Overreaction
In this episode of Banish Big Brother, hosts Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton dive into the latest in surveillance technology and its implications. We kick off with an intriguing job opportunity at IKEA’s new virtual store in Roblox, paying real-world wages for digital work. From there, we discuss the expanding...
Sample City/County Council Script
This is a sample template to use when speaking before your city or county council. Feel free to add your own style and details about your community to make it more personal and impactful. — My name is ______ and I am here today to represent our community and its...
Spying Smart Home Tech, Apple vs Elon, & Predictive Policing
In this episode, we dive into the latest developments in smart home technology and AI. We start with Apple’s integration of ChatGPT into its operating system and Elon Musk’s outspoken opposition. We discuss a shocking incident where a Roomba captured a private photo of a woman on the toilet, which...
One Day in a Smart City
Welcome to the smart city, where technology promises to turn your daily grind into a symphony of automated convenience—if you don’t mind a little surveillance, that is. Picture a life where every street corner bristles with sensors and cameras, recording your every move with unblinking precision. Traffic lights adjust based...
AI Head Transplant Hoax, Emotional Propaganda, & AI Gone Wrong
In this episode of Banished Big Brother, Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton dive into some of the most intriguing and alarming stories in the world of AI and surveillance. First, they dissect a convincing AI-driven hoax involving a supposed head transplant system, highlighting the fine line between science fiction and...
Global Surveillance Networks, Rainforest Spies, Manmade Horrors, & ChatGPT Godmode
Welcome back to Banished Big Brother! In episode 2, hosts Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton dive deep into the unsettling world of AI and surveillance technology. This episode is packed with discussions on global networks of smart street lights, proposals to blanket the Amazon rainforest with hidden cameras and sound...
AI Teachers, Local Surveillance, Water System Hacks, & more
In the inaugural episode of “Banish Big Brother,” Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton explore the impact of AI and surveillance technology on education. They discuss impressive and unsettling examples of AI tools in schools, including AI-generated historical figures teaching lessons and the potential for inaccuracies. They address the use of...
Hidden Dangers: The True Cost of ‘Nothing to Hide, Nothing to Fear’
“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about” is a common retort from the average citizen that supports government surveillance. While many think that “having something to hide” equates to immoral or unethical activity, the fact is that many people do have things to hide, and...
Welcome to Banish Big Brother
Defending Privacy in a Surveillance Society In today’s digital age, where personal data has become currency and privacy breaches are daily news, the importance of safeguarding personal privacy cannot be overstated. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Banish Big Brother, a nonprofit organization committed to defending your right to privacy...