When I sit back and try to think about all the ways that modern consumer technology has entered our lives, I keep coming back to the idea of control.
Are you concerned you’re not getting enough exercise? Count your steps with a smart watch.
Are you worried about burglars breaking in and stealing your stuff? Think about installing a cloud-based camera in your living room. Could your child be abducted on their way to school today? Be responsible and equip them with a GPS tracker. In a world that seems increasingly chaotic, we’re being offered more ways than ever to minimize risk. It’s a marketer’s dream come true: take an increasingly anxious population, gently guide them to internalize a few worst-case scenarios, and then turn around to sell them a sense of security.
