Social credits or social points, or quite loosely, “points for conforming behavior mandated by the state or certain individuals (groups).”
This means that every person has a points account on which he can collect points, but also lose them. Through good and bad deeds. So: You start with 300 points. You help the homeless: +15 points. You help an elderly woman across the street: +9 points. You get vaccinated against Corona: +7 points. You drive a car instead of taking the bus: -4 points. You meet people who have too few points: -10 points. You meet people who have a critical attitude: -20 points. You’re in the wrong part of town: -25 points. You say a derogatory word about the state on your smartphone: -30 points. And so on.
Since the system was introduced, there has been no terrorist attack. And far fewer crimes. And they are being solved even faster. More police are on the streets. Especially in the evenings and at night. Yes, that’s noticeable. Our government is quicker to agree and get many laws on the way. And the covids, Reichsbürger and Co. seem to have finally realized their mistakes. At least they are no longer on the streets or on television. No one talks about it anymore.
Balance
“But anyway, what do I care about my balance?” “I don’t have anything to hide anyway, and I’m a good person.” But at some point, something strange happens: The ticket machine in the subway no longer works. You can only select two zones. Why can’t you book airline tickets anymore? Why do your friends avoid you? You’re constantly getting caught in traffic controls. For no reason at all. And the other day someone opened your letters and stuck them back together with a state control seal.
Well, you’ve fallen below a point threshold. You’d better get busy, or they’ll suggest you change jobs. No more engineer: You’re going to clean the city sewers. Visiting your sick mother in the neighboring town? No, you can’t. Go out for dinner? No! Bank account? Blocked!
Maybe you can buy points if you know the right people!!?
And anyway, you realize that someone seems to know everything about you. What you do, what you say, what you think. Then you notice the cameras. The apps on your smartphone that pass on everything. Microphones in your smarthome. Tracking programs on your PC. Nothing to hide? Who defined what earns points and what takes points away? Who is in control? Can the system be hacked?
Suddenly you feel insecure…it all sounded so good when the government introduced the new system…now your conscience plagues you when you spit out a piece of gum on the street or – very badly – think the “wrong thing”…where is the freedom to act as you like…you have to do what someone else says, otherwise you can do less and less…crass!
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
The quote comes from Juvenal (58 – 140), a Roman satirist and moral judge. Who guards the guards?!?!? That’s the big question, because what I’ve described is not fiction: in China, such systems already exist, accompanied by a huge armada of cameras that monitor everything and everyone. A massive deployment of technology, AI and personnel. Total surveillance. It’s technically possible. Suddenly, books like “1984” or TV series like “Person of interest” have become quite real.
Who is allowed to know what? Who determines what is right and what is wrong? Who determines the consequences for “wrongdoing”? Who sets the limits to this system – if there are any? Who guarantees that personal interests of individuals are not enforced? Who has the power in his hands?
And anyone who thinks that there are no attempts to establish such a thing in the “free West” knows people badly. If there is a possibility to increase the own power, it is used. Just as first every invention is checked whether it is not suitable as a weapon to kill others. In thousands of years the human being has not changed in this regard…
This topic moves me – especially in connection with the topic of “freedom”. How much freedom may our (supposed) security cost? What can be done about it? I don’t know. In any case, be vigilant. Don’t give away your data everywhere. Think about what you are told. Don’t believe everything that sounds nice: Who profits from it (Cui bono?), that’s the big question, or who earns money or gets power with it? There is probably no large corporation that does something out of pure charity. It is far too often about money and power. No matter what you put on the flag…
God
What technology makes possible for man, God has been able to do for a long time. God knows everything: from the movement of the smallest dust particle at the end of the universe to your first thought this morning after waking up.
But it is different with God. He does not use His power as leverage against you to control you. He does not want to force you to do something. You have the decision yourself – but with all the consequences.
He sees you – always and everywhere! He looks at you – with love! He wants your best!
With God, you don’t have to earn points to go to heaven. Jesus paid for you. God wants a relationship with you; to live and shape your life with you. He wants to help you, to change you for the good. He loves you! That is the basis of everything. Not following rules. The relationship with Jesus is the key to heaven – not a religious score.
Thanks for reading and God’s blessings!
To think about
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Benjamin Franklin
