“It’s in the mail!”
the old man in the hat
Ok, I admit it. I have just celebrated or to put it more succinctly, mourned, another birthday. Now, not to share too much personal info, let us just say that I am of the age and era that just does not get Twitter.
I have just been reading that my mild acceptance of Facebook also shows my age. Like, what is the problem with 5 friends? Apparently the “younger” crowd is abandoning Facebook in droves as it is at the same time being embraced by the “grandmother picture sharing” generation in ever greater numbers.
I must admit to another disgraceful technological faux pas. Yes, my cellphone battery sometimes goes dead, and I don’t even know it. Shame. Sometimes I receive a text message that I don’t respond to. Sometimes I go to the camp and leave my phone on the fridge top. I can only hang my head and plead my age!
We have been hearing many reports as of late regarding the monitoring of our technological communications by the security apparatus of the Canadian and American governments. Now I know where Chapters gets all of its information about my online purchases.
My best technology conspiracy theory centers around our provincial driver’s license. First of all, as a means of identification, mug shots at Dorchester look better! Secondly, do you trust the government with your signature, your “electronic” signature? Do you know where it is stored? Does it “expire”? Have you ever read a notice advising you the terms of your “electronic” signature and does the government promise to use it only on your license? Have you received a notice as to how the “security” of this signature is maintained? Do you have access to it?
My guess is that the renewal process is such a pain in the a** that you sign on the dotted line and get out of there ASAP with no thought whatsoever to forfeiting such a valuable asset as your signature without a whimper. We are such trusting souls. We New Brunswickers!
However, I have a solution. Many have never have thought of it. Technology so dumb, so outdated, so uncool, that it is sure to fly under the radar. Snail mail. Yep. Pen and pencil stuff. Mind you, soon to become very expensive, but what “technology” that stymies the bad guys is not expensive?
Mail, being a popular means of communication for many centuries, has a body of law built up that I suspect gives us many protections not apparently available to modern technology users. A quick Google search of “Canada, can the government open mail” was surprisingly short on results. One article I did find seemed to suggest that a dim view is taken when it come to the government opening private correspondence.
Maybe saying “it’s in the mail” won’t be such a bad thing after all!
Comments: theoldmaninthehat@sissonridge.ca
More reading: http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/02_05_b_010816_e.asp
