I’m sure there’s something spying on me in the house! It’s not a ghost or anything like that, but something more technological.
Paranoid
I know I’m sounding a little paranoid, but, I have evidence that it’s going on. Only this morning, while our Granddaughter is staying with us for part of the summer school shutdown, I thought I’d have a mess around on a digital piano we have. I can’t play it, but it’s fun to tinkle with and the Granddaughter enjoys it too. So, I plugged the piano in and we tried to come up with the beginning of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. It sounds simple, but it was hopeless for someone as tone-deaf as me.
Plinky Plonking
We must have spent around half an hour plinky plonking without any success at all. Eventually, as always, it turns into a cacophony of out of tune nonsense. I have no ability to be able to hear the notes of a song and translate them into the myriad of black and white keys on a piano. That’s a special skill for the likes of Elton John or Billy Joel. I switched it off, pulled out the plug and left the piano there, probably for another six months.
Piano Lessons
It was then that I checked my phone. It’s a habitual thing like some people light a cigarette or look at their watch, I check my phone. First port of call is usually WordPress and then Facebook. Opening Facebook the first thing I see is an advert for piano lessons! Call it coincidence, but why would they show me an advert for lessons? I even felt a little hurt as the suggestion of lessons means I must be pretty useless at playing, which I am, but I don’t need telling. There have been other times I’ve spoken of something like garden fencing and adverts have appeared on Facebook. Usually, I’ve passed it off as a coo-incidence.
Big Brother
However, I have never seen piano lessons before. Am I paranoid or is there something in this technology that is spying on us in the privacy of our home? I am finding it irksome. Big Brother is coming true. I suppose I should try a little experiment, start a conversation about bog snorkelling or planning my own funeral. It’ll be interesting to see how long it is before Facebook shoves an advert for these things under my nose. Oh well, just be careful what you say.
My paranoia takes place in the homes of those with technical know-how. Whenever I’m left alone in a room my eyes begin to scan the room in search of a hidden camera! If there was a camera I’m sure the owners would think I was an extremely nosey woman!
I’ve never thought of that one, Sue???? Oh dear, I shall be checking myself from now on. Technology has its positive sides, but boy, there are some downsides to it. Thank you for your comment, Sue.
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What we do on the internet is used for marketing purposes so if you search on Google for something you can be sure soon after you will start seeing ads related to your previous search. I do not think intrusion gets to listening our conversations, unless you have some kind of Alexa device at home.
Hi Enzo, I understand the concept of searching and they send you contextual adverts. However, I’ve never searched for piano lessons and I don’t have any devices such as Alexa. I do have a smart TV and my iPhone. ????
Hello Enzo, Interesting you mentioned Alexa. I have Alexa, it was a gift and I use it for music, however, I always unplug when I’ve finished. I doubt that my conversations would be of interest to anyone but ever since completely out of the blue it announced “I’m sorry I do not understand” I’ve unplugged it.
I love a little plinky plonking myself, and I’d like to join your conspiracy theorist club. Now that I’ve written that I will, no doubt, receive instructions on how to do so!
My phone often lets me know that my wife has spent such and such on a purchase on so and so. It’s a bit late then because the money has already been spent. I’m working on an app that tells me she is thinking about spending money, so I can forestall the heinous crime!
I’ve just asked Alexa for her opinion but she is not talking to me today.
Haha, thank you, Peter. I hope she doesn’t spend everything you have. ????
Peter, it seems to me that you fell into the trap of joint bank accounts, tut tut tut! It’s not too late to undo the foolish deed, give her an allowance instead. That way what’s yours is only partly shared and what’s hers is always hers! ????
Lol 😀
I will do a search on something stupid, and yes, it comes up in an advert.
Yes, I don’t like it at all, Susie.
It always happens to me,too
Thank you, Luisa, I find it too intrusive.
Some would say there’s no such thing as coincidence… I must admit, piano lessons seems very niche for an advert that I’d be inclined to think this is Big Brother’s doing. Did you ever write anything on Facebook regarding the piano at all? Or do you have one of those Alexa style devices that might have caught a snippet of your conversations or of your attempts to Bohemian Rhapsody the hell out of the piano? If you start getting adverts about bulk purchase discount deals on coffins then it’s time to move into the middle of nowhere and drop off the grid! ????
Caz x
Hi Caz, no, I’ve never searched for anything remotely to do with Pianos. I don’t have Alexa, that’s why I think it’s Facebook listening in ???? but thank you for your comment. Hope you’re well.
I’m always struck by the fact that if you actually buy something online (most recently I had to buy a new printer) the ads for that item will still be following me around for another few months even though I have one now. #so it’s sort of clever that they can target you… but then again, it’s not really.
Anyway, that has nothing to do with me spookily watching you through your window and Googling piano lessons on your wifi connection…
Lol, thank you, Bryntin. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were looking through the window, they are finding out somehow. 🙂
I bought some cat toys on the Internet. Ever since I keep getting stuff for an ever widening range of creatures. The latest was bedding for snakes. Do they think I run a zoo.
I find it very intrusive. Lol, bedding for snakes, stay away from those things. Thank you for commenting ????
Ahhh, you’re not paranoid something IS watching-listening to you! ????????????
Hahaha, thanks Amanda. 😀
I think spying extends to blog post viewing and everything we do on line.
At least with blog posting, you put it out there, knowing that people will see it. It’s a little different to something listening into your conversation. Thanks for the comment.
Hi again Trev. I just thought I’d add a more serious comment. I remember you sharing some of your piano playing on FB. That may be it.
Hi Amanda, thank you, you could well be right. 😉
Here its Google. If your phone is on, and you drive by a business. you’re on their radar. But here on WP, my mobile app won’t recognize me as rugby! But if I mention a word in a blog post, the email ads pour in for it! ????????????
Yes, it’s very scary. Thank you, Rugby.
Spooky, indeed!
Thank you, Rosaliene, it is scary indeed.
I don’t think you’re paranoid – artificial intelligence is fas becoming the new normal, Google Speak responds to your voice and is able to translate your spoken word into text so I wouldn’t be surprised if it can pick up frequently used key words during conversation and synch relevant ads to your online feeds – especially as most of us have our mobile data or wifi switched on all the time!!!
Thank you, Cherryl. I think you’re right with every word. I find it very intrusive though.
Humans have forgotten something, something that everyone used to know. Words are powerful! People used to be held accountable for everything that they say. Careful, you might speak something into existence. ???? Thank You, Joseph
Thank you, Joe.