I’d like to know more about the information that Amazon collects from the smart home technology. Including the echo Alexa device I haven’t plugged back in since I read about it listening to everything it shouldn’t be listening to. I’m also interested in iPhones and the privacy issues they have. I admit I have an older iPhone (8) but I’m going to be upgrading soon so I’d love to get something that’s safe. Or at least safer. I’m glad you’re here on Substack and it’s unfortunate that you lost your job at the Post. However, I believe you’re heading in the right direction. I personally plan to read all of your post Post posts. Every single post.
Hi Geoff, I loved this first post and can’t wait to read - and even to pay for - more. Having worked with you at WSJ, I know you’re incredibly talented and thoughtful.
As someone who, during Covid, actually spent more thru Amazon than on my mortgage, I would be interested in your take on how we as consumers can impact big tech CEOs to realize that we may be more important to their bottom line than the White House. For example, how to measure the impact of Scott Galloway’s #resistandunsubscribe campaign this month? What would “the data” tell Jeff Bezos about this?
Yes! 1) what are the "xx things to do to use an Echo w/o selling your soul." (same for Apple watch, Nest thermostat, et al) and 2) Truly effective ways for individuals to "vote with our checkbooks"
second hand comment. One of the women I hang out with has a daughter who worked at apple. Really smart kid. After a period of time she started questioning ethics of what they are doing and innovative technology they were developing. She eventually left as it wasn't compatible with rules she set for herself. She had to sign a non-disclosure statement when she left.
Welcome to Substack. I’ve missed reading your columns since dumping my WaPo subscription and embracing many of the fine writers here, many of them your former WaPo colleagues. Looking forward to finding out how to defeat the many automated “snooping” features that come with my technology purchases and software upgrades. Keep up the great work and thank you.
While I think AI is inevitable, I don’t think the tech giants care about the integrity of legacy media. Controlling information is their goal.
Nothing I’m saying is news, but I wish a billionaire with any sense of morality would buy, particularly, The Washington Post. I don’t know that Jeff Bezos was as ruthless in his purchase as Elon Musk was with Twitter, or purchaser of LA Times or NYT, but in the end Bezos put himself&his ilk ahead of reputation&legend.
Hi - Geoff, welcome to Substack. I will subscribe but was just laid off myself so can’t pay, for now. I am very concerned about AI, especially because of the lay-offs, of course Amazon laid off 30,000, because of AI, though they had a +45% profit. I have boycotted Amazon since 2015, and invite all to join me. Cheers - AM
Thank you for your coverage of health tech. I'd love to read more "we the users" perspectives on everything from MyChart to devices (like CGMs, CPAPs) to how to solve a health mystery using tech you can buy at a drugstore (or extend it to what you can buy at Best Buy/Costco etc).
I love these ideas! Also personal fitness - the apps and devices that track you, when and how you sleep, what you eat. Is this data being collected? What would they do with the sleep data?
F-Droid offers open source alternatives for some smart watches and fitness bands that stop your private medical data being passed out to the cloud of whatever company you bought the tech from.
So glad to have found you here, and wishing you all the best. You were one of my favorite writers at the Post and I'm sorry that's in past tense. My concern is about the environmental impact of AI, as well as the evident tendency to make up answers instead of saying something like "I don't know" or "there is insufficient information available." Since I don't see us going back to the pre-AI days, I'd like to know what, if anything, we users can do to mitigate these situations. Thanks!
The bad news is that I wasn't familiar with your column until I saw your post about the end of your time at the Post. The good news (for me) is that now I'm aware of your tech reporting. I've already installed Disconnect's app after reading your piece about trackers. I'm all ears when it comes to practical tips, and learning more about the hidden costs of the tech we rely on every day. (And nerd that I am, I'll also be happy about good tech news as well!) Thanks for doing what you do from this new subscriber.
I literally subscribed to The Washington Post from the UK last week to follow your work... and a day later, bang. So grateful for this Substack. You’ll get a new home in no time. We can’t wait to keep hearing all about your tech trials and trepidations, Geoffrey!
Thanks for your first post, Geoff. I'd be interested to learn more about how organizations are approaching usability and design of technology. I have an octogenarian parent who is regularly flummoxed by tech in many forms, but increasingly via government web sites that she must interact with in order to access government services. A bright light on this area would help with accountability!!
Welcome to Substack. I like your approach ‘we the users’ and I’m looking forward to reading more about privacy and also about AI. Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Just found your post today and love your approach. One area regarding AI which I have not seen very much coverage is the incredible cost of developing the power resources needed. My power rates have gone up ~20% in the last year. It feels Ike I’m being forced to buy shares in the AI bros dream. If the bubble bursts, can I claim it as an investment loss? … (The bros laugh)…
I’d like to know more about the information that Amazon collects from the smart home technology. Including the echo Alexa device I haven’t plugged back in since I read about it listening to everything it shouldn’t be listening to. I’m also interested in iPhones and the privacy issues they have. I admit I have an older iPhone (8) but I’m going to be upgrading soon so I’d love to get something that’s safe. Or at least safer. I’m glad you’re here on Substack and it’s unfortunate that you lost your job at the Post. However, I believe you’re heading in the right direction. I personally plan to read all of your post Post posts. Every single post.
Post-Post posts. Now that has a certain ring to it :D
Get a landline. That’s my next purchase.
Landlines aren’t landlines. They’re also VOIP.
Is there a way to disable that feature in Alexa?
Hi Geoff, I loved this first post and can’t wait to read - and even to pay for - more. Having worked with you at WSJ, I know you’re incredibly talented and thoughtful.
As someone who, during Covid, actually spent more thru Amazon than on my mortgage, I would be interested in your take on how we as consumers can impact big tech CEOs to realize that we may be more important to their bottom line than the White House. For example, how to measure the impact of Scott Galloway’s #resistandunsubscribe campaign this month? What would “the data” tell Jeff Bezos about this?
Yes! 1) what are the "xx things to do to use an Echo w/o selling your soul." (same for Apple watch, Nest thermostat, et al) and 2) Truly effective ways for individuals to "vote with our checkbooks"
I'd love to hear about privacy in regard to Apple, Google AND Amazon
second hand comment. One of the women I hang out with has a daughter who worked at apple. Really smart kid. After a period of time she started questioning ethics of what they are doing and innovative technology they were developing. She eventually left as it wasn't compatible with rules she set for herself. She had to sign a non-disclosure statement when she left.
Welcome to Substack. I’ve missed reading your columns since dumping my WaPo subscription and embracing many of the fine writers here, many of them your former WaPo colleagues. Looking forward to finding out how to defeat the many automated “snooping” features that come with my technology purchases and software upgrades. Keep up the great work and thank you.
Best wishes.
While I think AI is inevitable, I don’t think the tech giants care about the integrity of legacy media. Controlling information is their goal.
Nothing I’m saying is news, but I wish a billionaire with any sense of morality would buy, particularly, The Washington Post. I don’t know that Jeff Bezos was as ruthless in his purchase as Elon Musk was with Twitter, or purchaser of LA Times or NYT, but in the end Bezos put himself&his ilk ahead of reputation&legend.
Hi - Geoff, welcome to Substack. I will subscribe but was just laid off myself so can’t pay, for now. I am very concerned about AI, especially because of the lay-offs, of course Amazon laid off 30,000, because of AI, though they had a +45% profit. I have boycotted Amazon since 2015, and invite all to join me. Cheers - AM
Thank you for your coverage of health tech. I'd love to read more "we the users" perspectives on everything from MyChart to devices (like CGMs, CPAPs) to how to solve a health mystery using tech you can buy at a drugstore (or extend it to what you can buy at Best Buy/Costco etc).
I love these ideas! Also personal fitness - the apps and devices that track you, when and how you sleep, what you eat. Is this data being collected? What would they do with the sleep data?
F-Droid offers open source alternatives for some smart watches and fitness bands that stop your private medical data being passed out to the cloud of whatever company you bought the tech from.
Thx! I haven’t bought/subscribed to any for just that reason.
So glad to have found you here, and wishing you all the best. You were one of my favorite writers at the Post and I'm sorry that's in past tense. My concern is about the environmental impact of AI, as well as the evident tendency to make up answers instead of saying something like "I don't know" or "there is insufficient information available." Since I don't see us going back to the pre-AI days, I'd like to know what, if anything, we users can do to mitigate these situations. Thanks!
The bad news is that I wasn't familiar with your column until I saw your post about the end of your time at the Post. The good news (for me) is that now I'm aware of your tech reporting. I've already installed Disconnect's app after reading your piece about trackers. I'm all ears when it comes to practical tips, and learning more about the hidden costs of the tech we rely on every day. (And nerd that I am, I'll also be happy about good tech news as well!) Thanks for doing what you do from this new subscriber.
I literally subscribed to The Washington Post from the UK last week to follow your work... and a day later, bang. So grateful for this Substack. You’ll get a new home in no time. We can’t wait to keep hearing all about your tech trials and trepidations, Geoffrey!
Thanks for your first post, Geoff. I'd be interested to learn more about how organizations are approaching usability and design of technology. I have an octogenarian parent who is regularly flummoxed by tech in many forms, but increasingly via government web sites that she must interact with in order to access government services. A bright light on this area would help with accountability!!
Keep up the good work.
Welcome to Substack. I like your approach ‘we the users’ and I’m looking forward to reading more about privacy and also about AI. Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Can;'t wait to read this. Welcome to our world and good luck!
Just found your post today and love your approach. One area regarding AI which I have not seen very much coverage is the incredible cost of developing the power resources needed. My power rates have gone up ~20% in the last year. It feels Ike I’m being forced to buy shares in the AI bros dream. If the bubble bursts, can I claim it as an investment loss? … (The bros laugh)…
Geoff, I’m so excited about this Substack. Would love to read your quick take on how to read the AI companies’ Super Bowl commercials.