Wow I didn't know you could protest smart meters. What was your reasoning?
Nat. Gas company installed a smart meter at one of my previous residences, it was such a planning nightmare!
We can protest EVERYTHING - The problem is, as you stated, that we take what "they" tell us as "done deals" helping them dig our graves.
I simply told them that smart meters are an invasion of privacy, and I didn't want one on my home. Using electric as an example, they know exactly what appliances use what energy - they can tell what time we shower, blow-dry our hair, do laundry, run the blender, etc. That data is a valuable commodity. Not to mention smart meters give them the ability to control when and how much electricity we can use, and they are already employing this control in some areas. Related to this, landlords (and remember that Blackrock and Vanguard are the biggest) are already writing energy usage requirements into leases, such as "the AC will not be used unless the temperature outside is above X degrees." Eventually, via smart meters, they'll outright prevent us from being able to turn on the AC until THEY "flip the switch." They are priming us for this type of control in every aspect of our lives, and we are letting them get away with it. They are NOT going to ask us "do you want a smart meter?" No - bc they know there will be an outcry. Instead, they just do it bc they know we'll accept it. Like that post I made yesterday about American Water requiring Apple or Chrome to access our accounts - Prime example of how they operate - and how we let them get away with it. THIS is how they're obtaining complete control, and they're doing it right under out noses, and we're LETTING them. It scares the crap out me when I make posts like that and get a bunch of rationalizations why it must be that way. There are WAY more of us than them - it does NOT have to be that way. DON'T Buy their smart phones, their smart appliances. Buy used, by ratty, buy whatever works that doesn't help THEM get ahead.
Apologies for the rambling rant, but EVERY choice we make determines whether or not we're helping "them" gain ground. We need to use this to our advantage.
No need to apologize! I agree.
We need to defend our privacy on a daily basis.
I've turned down a number of apartments with "smart thermostats". Landlord always looks surprised when I ask him to take it out or no contract.
(post is archived)