The article is going much farther than just targeted advertising - it talks about predicting and manipulating behaviour in general, and about power, power in the political and personal, such as the question of who we are and our values.
In combination with the article I read just before, the one about statehood in no-man's land, there is also the question of sovereignty raised. If our behavior can be predicted and manipulated by supranational companies, how much is a democracy - a state - still worth? (Note that state actors could of course do the same, though hopefully there is at least a semblance of legitimization.)
This is a very high price to pay, in this described world, and I don't think most are able to even start judging fairness here, or even care enough to try and see.
I must admit I have no idea what you're talking about. If people behave in a predictable way then that's what they do though they are free to change, one trusts. Where is the evidence for manipulation (aside from that exhibited by all entrepreneurs from the market stall holder upwards) and to what end? Google exists by selling advertising on behalf of disparate traders; customers will therefore make choices which will change according to prevailing circumstances. Meanwhile billions of people make largely un-tracked purchases ex internet. Others are tracked and so what? Amazon and ABE Books know my tastes in literature and are welcome to push suggestions my way. If there are enough of us (like me), perhaps they'll conspire with a publisher to create a literary treasure replete with right of center (UK-style) politics, small state, free market, low tax ideas of the kind I favor. Of course I'll have no option but to buy it!
In combination with the article I read just before, the one about statehood in no-man's land, there is also the question of sovereignty raised. If our behavior can be predicted and manipulated by supranational companies, how much is a democracy - a state - still worth? (Note that state actors could of course do the same, though hopefully there is at least a semblance of legitimization.)
This is a very high price to pay, in this described world, and I don't think most are able to even start judging fairness here, or even care enough to try and see.