The Future Is Now - 'social credit' in China

The Future Is Now

Your digital comments about the world around you matter a lot to businesses. It gives them data to work with in determining how well they are doing. For example, with the data for the controversial Gillette commerical discussing masculinity, Adweek says that Gillette's audience historically has been men older than 35 years of age, but digital discussion of razors and shaving is current dominated by young women. Think about it — women shave too. Only 20 percent of women usually say anything happy or positive about shaving or shaving products, but with the Gillette campaign not only did it attract a female audience,  but had around a 50 percent rate of women saying positive things. While you may believe Gillette is for men, Adweek is suggesting that the company was strategically trying to change that with the masculinity-based campaign.

The Future Is Now

Another change is coming to the film sector. With its newest global hit "Birdbox," there's no questioning that Netflix is playing in the big leagues with making movies. Digital streaming services are starting to get respect in traditional worlds. Politico reports that Netflix is in talks to join the Motion Picture Association of America, which would make it the first internet-based operation to join the almost 100-year-old body, which currently represents the six major Hollywood production studios. Those companies have to work with theaters and streaming platforms to get their movies to people while Netflix feeds them directly to fans in their homes and on their devices. If Netflix is admitted to the MPAA, you may see companies like Disney double down on the development of their own streaming platforms and the future of movies may move away from theaters and more towards home viewing. That means that televisions as we know them will change and surround sound systems will become larger, a ripple effect as the industry evolves in the digital age.

The Future Is Now

Data is being used in China to let people know if they are near someone who has debt problems. A state-operated newspaper says the north China province responsible for this hopes to get citizens to snitch on each other if they spot someone with debt living large. This is part of that nation's broader "Social Credit" data project. It will operate much like a credit score, but will factor variables like trustworthiness and public behavior. China argues the "social credit" system will help people who maybe don't yet have a financial history, but are otherwise good, trustworthy people. It would give them a tool to articulate that when applying for something like a first apartment or a job. Companies would get a more holistic look at who you are.