Google's disturbing vision of TOTAL data collection: Leaked video reveals a Black Mirror-style future in which technology could be used to control the behaviour of entire populations
谷歌全面收集數據的野心令人不安：外洩視頻揭示了一種黑鏡式的未來，科技可能被用來控制整個種群的行為
Google already knows far more about you than you may realise.
谷歌對你的瞭解已經遠遠超出你的想象。
Now, an internal Google video has leaked that provides an unnerving glimpse into how the firm could use that wealth on information to control your behaviour.
現在，谷歌內部的一個視頻洩露了一段令人不安的信息，讓我們瞭解到谷歌公司如何利用這些有價值的信息來控制我們的行為。
The video sets the scene for a Black Mirror-style future in which machines know your needs even before you do, and are able to manipulate you to follow their own agendas.
這段視頻設定了一個黑鏡式的未來場景，未來，機器知道你的需求，甚至在你還沒做的時候，就能操縱你按照它們的的計劃行事。
Google admits the video is 'disturbing', but stresses that it's simply a thought experiment.
谷歌承認視頻“令人不安”，但強調這只是一個思維實驗。
However, with the misuse of private data at the forefront of people's minds following Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal, the concepts outlined in the footage are likely to raise concerns.
然而，在臉書的“劍橋分析”醜聞曝光後，出於對私人數據濫用的重視，這段視頻中所描述的概念可能會引起人們的關注。
The video was made two years ago by Nick Foster, the head of design at X and a co-founder of the Near Future Laboratory.
這段視頻是兩年前由 Nick Foster拍攝的，他是X公司的設計主管，也是近未來實驗室的聯合創始人。
In it, he imagines being able to nudge users towards their goals using data collected on their devices.
在這一過程中，他設想能夠利用設備上收集到的數據推動用戶實現自己的目標。
Titled 'The Selfish Ledger', the 9-minute film begins with a history of Lamarckian epigenetics.
這個長達 9 分鐘的視頻名為《The Selfish Ledger》，以拉馬克表觀遺傳學的歷史開場。
This is the concept of passing on traits acquired during an organism's lifetime.
這是關於有機體一生中獲得的特徵傳遞的概念。
It originated in 1809, when French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck published the first theory for evolution.
它起源於1809年，當時法國自然學家Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck發表了關於進化論的第一個理論。。
He believed that the experiences of an organism during its life modified this internal code, and this updated version was then passed down to an organism's offspring.
他認為，生物體在其生命過程中的這些經歷改變了這一內部代碼，而這個更新的版本則被傳給了有機體的後代。
For example, this theory claims that if a person regularly went to the gym and developed big muscles, their children would inherit this enhanced strength.
例如，這個理論稱，如果一個人經常去健身房鍛鍊大肌肉群，他的孩子就會繼承這種增強的力量。
This was later proven to be false, as Foster acknowledges in the video.
Foster在視頻中承認，這一理論後來被證明是錯誤的。
Lamarckian epigenetics was discredited and replaced by Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection when he published the 'Origin of Species' in 1859.
在1859年達爾文發表《物種起源》時，拉馬克的表觀遺傳學被其自然選擇理論所推翻。
However, Foster claims it is a good analogue for the use of data and can help explain how digital information will be used in the future.
然而，Foster說，這是一個對數據使用的很好的模擬，可以幫助解釋未來將如何使用數字信息。
The way we use our phones creates 'a constantly evolving representation of who we are,' which Foster terms a 'ledger'.
我們使用手機的方式創造了“一個不斷變化的我們是誰的代表”， Foster稱其為“數據賬本”。
Ledgers can be transferred from one user to another, much like genetic information is passed on through the generations.
數據賬本可以從一個用戶轉移到另一個用戶，就像遺傳信息通過幾代人傳遞一樣。
They contain detailed data on our 'actions, decisions, preferences, movement, and relationships'.
它們包含了關於我們“行動、決定、偏好、運動和社交”的詳細數據。
This can be used to control our behaviour for the betterment of society.
這可以用來控制我們的行為以改善社會。
'User-cantered design principles have dominated the world of computing for many decades, but what if we looked at things a little differently?' says Foster.
幾十年來，以用戶為中心的設計原則主導了計算機領域，但如果我們以稍微不同的方式去看待事物，會怎樣呢?”Foster說。
'What if the ledger could be given a volition or purpose rather than simply acting as a historical reference?
“如果數據賬本可以被賦予意志或目的，而不是簡單地作為歷史參考，會怎麼樣?
'What if we focused on creating a richer ledger by introducing more sources of information?
如果我們專注於通過引入更多的信息來源來創建更豐富的數據賬本，會怎麼樣呢?
'What if we thought of ourselves not as the owners of this information, but as custodians, transient carriers, or caretakers?'
“如果我們不把自己視為信息的所有者，而是作為託管人、臨時承運人或看護人呢?”
The video goes on to present the concept of 'Resolutions by Google' in which the firm asks users to select goals in life and then helps them achieve it by guiding their actions using alerts on their phones.
該視頻繼續展示了“谷歌決議”的概念，要求用戶選擇生活中的目標，然後通過使用手機上的提醒來引導用戶實現目標。
For instance, if a user wanted to be more environmentally-friendly, Google would help direct them to better sources of local produce that help save the planet during their weekly shopping trips.
例如，如果用戶想要更環保一些，谷歌會幫助他們更好地獲取當地產品的資源，幫助他們在每週的購物中為拯救地球出份力。
The video sets the scene for a Black Mirror-style future. In the episode 'Nosedive' technology is used to rate a person, creating a score for all to see. People went to extreme lengths to increase this score, changing their behaviour in line with the technology.
這段視頻設定了一個黑鏡式的未來場景。在“Nosedive”這一段裡，科技會產生一個所有人都能看到的分數，來評價一個人。為了提高這個分數，人們竭盡全力來改變自己的行為。
The video fails to mention privacy concerns.
視頻沒有提到隱私問題。
Instead, Foster envisions a future where 'the notion of a goal-driven ledger becomes more palatable' and 'suggestions may be converted not by the user but by the ledger itself.'
相反，Foster設想了一個未來，“目標驅動數據賬本的概念變得更容易接受”，“建議可能不是由用戶而是由數據賬本本身來轉換的”。
The ledger wouldn't just help control behaviour, however.
然而，數據賬本不僅僅有助於控制行為。
It would be able to 'plug gaps in its knowledge and refine its model of human behaviour'.
它將能夠“填補知識的空白，完善其人類行為模式”。
'By thinking of user data as multigenerational,' explains Foster, 'it becomes possible for emerging users to benefit from the preceding generation's behaviours and decisions.'
Foster解釋說，“將用戶數據視為多代性的數據，新興用戶可能會受益於前一代人的行為和決策。
Foster imagines 'sequencing' the database like the human genome, and making 'increasingly accurate predictions about decisions and future behaviours.'
Foster設想，像人類基因組一樣給數據庫測序，並對決策和未來行為做出越來越準確的預測。
'As cycles of collection and comparison extend,' concludes Foster, 'it may be possible to develop a species-level understanding of complex issues such as depression, health, and poverty.'
Fostert說，“隨著收集和比較的週期延長，我們可能會對諸如抑鬱、健康和貧困等複雜問題有一個物種層面的理解。”
'We understand if this is disturbing - it is designed to be,' an X spokesperson told the Verge.
X實驗室的一位發言人告訴《the Verge》，“我們理解這可能令人不安——但這是設想出來的。
'This is a thought-experiment by the Design team from years ago that uses a technique known as speculative design to explore uncomfortable ideas and concepts in order to provoke discussion and debate.
這是設計團隊多年前的一個思想實驗，他們使用一種被稱為投機設計的手法來探索令人不安的想法和概念，以引發大家的討論和辯論。”
'It's not related to any current or future products.'
這與目前或未來的任何產品都沒有關係。
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