April 30, 2025

You may have a smartwatch, Fitbit or similar device that records your steps and exercise habits, but that is only the beginning. Now you can get devices such as the Bee Pioneer, Limitless Pendant or the Plaud NotePin that will record everything that you say as well as every conversation you have. Your entire life’s interactions can be recorded and stored. Then, depending on the device, you can get a summary of your conversations, or you can actually go back and listen to everything that was said. How is that possible? AI. In a matter of seconds, AI can review what it has learned about your life and tell you about yourself.

Like many things, the benefits are promoted as reasons to purchase and use these creepy devices. You can go back and replay the conversation that you had with your spouse in order to prove that you actually said what you claim you said (or not). You can get reminders to actually do the things you promised. You can listen to how many times you said filler words in your conversations such as, “ya know, right?, 100%, awesome, vibe,” etc. You can listen to how loud you were when you said that you were not shouting. You get the idea.

If a device can record everything that you say and replay it, then it is stored somewhere and someone can get access to that. Your life is on record. That is very useful to remember because more and more people will be wearing these devices, which means that they will be recording you. But that’s not legal, is it? In Michigan, it is. Michigan has a “one-party consent” law that applies to recording conversations. If you are in a conversation, you can record it without the consent of the other person or persons. They can do that to you also. You are not permitted to record other conversations, but if someone is wearing one of these devices, they are going to be able to record anything within range.

Have you ever wondered if your TV, or home security system cameras are watching you? Probably. Have you ever wondered if your on-line assistant device like Alexa is listening to you? Again, probably. Can others see that or hear that? Hmmm. Now I’m wondering what was really in all of the fine print on those consent forms that I skimmed before I clicked “accept” in order to use the devices. Is it possible that this information could be used against you? Of course. When you consider how much technology watches our driving (map apps), smartphones, traffic cameras, and how many millions of other cameras and devices monitor our every step, then you know that Big Brother is here. We made him and fed him and gave him a room in our house.

Obviously, you have to figure out whether or not you believe the risks are worth the benefits to all of this. But all along I know that there is a “day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Before George Orwell came up with the Big Brother character in his 1949 dystopian novel about life in 1984, we actually have a real Big Brother who knows everything about us, and uses that for our good, not for our harm. So, we are mindful that all of life is before the face of God. That is good now and that is promising forever.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: Luke 11:33-36