How to Know What's Real: How to Keep Watch

This podcast episode explores the concept of the quantified self movement and the emergence of wearable tech, discussing the infrastructure of surveillance and the implications for personal privacy and data usage. It highlights the use of facial recognition in immigration enforcement and the lack of representation for minority populations. It also examines the role of agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in regulating data collection practices and the impact of surveillance on behavior. The conversation delves into the concept of the panopticon, the influence of the awareness of being watched on human behavior, and the proliferation of deepfake and cheapfake content. The episode emphasizes the need for established social norms and conscious consumption to navigate the challenges of the surveillance landscape.