Mikko2,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I understand that your article presents links to statements from various sources. However, there are a few key points that I think require further discussion to ensure the accuracy and balance.

Firstly, while you reference statements from notable figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Malcolm Roberts, it's crucial to distinguish between their opinions and verifiable facts. Both individuals are known for their strong positions, which can often bias their statements. Their assertions therefore need to be critically evaluated rather than taken at face value.

Secondly, while it is true that CrowdStrike has ties to the WEF, their connections are often overstated and misrepresented to fuel conspiracy theories. For example, the phrase "You will own nothing and be happy" was part of a speculative scenario presented by an individual contributor and not an official WEF policy. The scenario explored how technology and societal changes might alter concepts of ownership and access, but conspiracy theories twist this into a narrative of forced dispossession and control. The separation between policy proposals from unfounded conspiracies to avoid distorting public understanding.

Your article draws a parallel between the Y2K scare and the recent Microsoft glitch. The Y2K event was a unique situation with specific technological and policy responses, as detailed in John Quiggin's paper that you linked to. Using this analogy to suggest a broader narrative of governmental or corporate malfeasance without concrete evidence risks misleading readers.

While scepticism towards new technologies like digital IDs and currencies is healthy, it's important to avoid fearmongering. Presenting potential risks without acknowledging the benefits and safeguards in place creates an unbalanced view.

"You will own nothing and you will be happy" was definitely part of a promotional video on the WEF website which many of us would have seen. It was later removed after too much heat and criticism on social media.
If nothing else, the CrowdStrike outage showed we would be more vulnerable than shags on a rock if there is ever a concerted cyber attack by hostile player(s). As the article says, "No need to drop a bomb...."

Mikko2,

The statement "You will own nothing and you will be happy" was part of a speculative scenario intended to provoke thought about potential future societal changes driven by technology and shifting economic models, and was immediately followed by a prediction that we’ll rent the things we want.

It’s astonishing how so many could mistake the phrase for official policy in a PR video selling the benefits of world domination. The content of the WEF video provided sufficient context for anyone not experiencing a level of paranoia disruptive to daily life to understand what was being said and why it was being said.

Your concern regarding the vulnerability exposed by the CrowdStrike outage is valid. This incident highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures. However, there’s a big difference between a glitch caused by a software update and a concerted cyber attack by hostile organisations. Both scenarios demonstrate the need for improved security, but are very different in nature and scope.

You’ve raised important issues in your article, but it’s important to remain mindful of the difference between addressing genuine cybersecurity concerns and fueling speculative fears. The outage should be seen as a wake-up call to strengthen our defences rather than evidence of an impending global conspiracy.

My concern about these internet-related companies, is not what if they fail and crash, but what if they operate successfully, forcing even more digital technology down our throats.

I welcome the glitch and hope it was not the last one.
I pray for the sun to send a magnetic storm towards this earth, wiping off all that technology.

Even while giving CrowdStrike and its shareholders the benefit of the doubt, it should send shivers down our spine that one could even contemplate such ideas like "You will own nothing and be happy" even if it was just in jest:
Historically, those who owned nothing were the slaves!