physics
Diffusion
Your data doesn't leak—it diffuses, following the same inexorable physics that spreads ink through water and your digital self across the network.
$ cat /tag/surveillance/
physics
Reversible Process
In thermodynamics, some processes can be undone without leaving a trace—but your digital footprint is entropy incarnate.
physics
Third Law
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction—but in the attention economy, you're always pushing against something that pushes back harder.
thermodynamics
Zeroth Law
In thermodynamics, equilibrium is everything—but in the attention economy, equilibrium means you've already been measured, catalogued, and sold.
physics
Thermal Equilibrium
In thermodynamics, systems exchange heat until they reach the same temperature—in the attention economy, you're the system being normalized.
physics
Amplitude
In physics, amplitude measures the height of a wave—in surveillance capitalism, it measures how much of yourself you're willing to broadcast.
physics
Frequency
In physics, frequency measures how often something happens—in surveillance capitalism, it measures how often you happen to someone else.
physics
Simple Harmonic Motion
You oscillate between outrage and distraction with the predictable rhythm of a pendulum, and the algorithm knows exactly when you'll swing back.
physics
Power
In physics, power is the rate of energy transfer—in surveillance capitalism, it's the rate at which your attention converts to profit.
physics
Velocity
In physics, velocity requires direction—but your data moves everywhere at once, and you're standing still.