WHAT becomes of our digital data after our death? Canadian computer researchers have come up with 12 concepts that would allow us to transmit this personal information to our family with the help of innovative tools based on personalization and privacy.
Our digital data is becoming increasingly important in our society. However, while it may be becoming increasingly important while we are alive, once our time is up, this data becomes largely useless with one exception: for our families. There's no shortage of stories about families "hacking" Facebook, Google accounts or even phones in order to retrieve useful data or memories.
Earlier research has shown the importance of preparing one's digital data for death, even if the process remains tedious. Facilitating it would require a simple tool, so that the individual in question doesn't leave the responsibility of digital data to another person. A recent study out of the University of British Columbia, Canada, looked at 12 purely hypothetical concepts of possible methods and forms that could allow children to obtain a digital legacy from their parents.
The researchers presented their concepts to 20 people (aged 18 to 81) and asked them how they felt about these new proposals.
"The Box of Data," "Memory Swipe," "Blast from the Past" and "Generation Cloud" are among the different tools conceptualized that could be used to allow the deceased to pass their data to the next generation.
With "The Box of Datam" the goal is to share, for example, a top-10 list of the most listened songs of your life on vinyl or postcards of your 10 most-visited places (thanks to Google maps data). Unlike the other ideas, the data box is the only one to offer physical content, something innately cherished. This speculative concept was judged as a positive idea by 13 of the 20 participants.
Data cannot represent the entirety of an individual
Another concept was nearly unanimously postively received. "Generation Cloud" would allow you to store your most cherished moments, photos, trips, songs, important information, family tree in a kind of Google drive, making it easy to pass this information on from one generation to another.
This was the most popular concept (approved by 15 out of 20 people), and participants valued its ability to establish a personal connection to their collective family history.
"That's a great concept. I'm really into family tree aspects and knowing your family and previous generations, that is very interesting to me," said one 52-year-old participant.
While the study's concepts provide ideas for extending the life of our data (and thus a form of existence), it can become a burden on families when no one is involved. Participants who had experienced loss were more aware of the potential burden created after death for the bereaved. These participants felt that the experience of bereavement could prompt them to prepare for death.
For example, a 75-year-old retired teacher was motivated by her mother's death to reduce the number of her physical possessions for her children: "I have so many papers and I'm trying to get rid of some because I don't want this task to be a daunting for my kids. I cleared my mother's house and it's a struggle. The time is limited, you're feeling very sad and you don't have the judgment."
In the same vein, she created a digital file called "where my stuff is" that her children can access after her death.
Among the 12 concepts, one of the ideas, which seems to come straight out of a science fiction movie, wasn't positively received by all. "Blast from the Past" proposes to create a replica of the deceased person powered by AI and based on all their available data.
Using VR headsets, their descendants could then chat with them. This idea did not convince the participants; just five of them had a positive response. For them, the replicas had a creepy.
"That's not the way I wanna remember someone...", one of the participants, aged 57, recoiled. "You've taken a complex human being and made them a little digital icon."
These reactions suggested to the team that our society is not ready to accept bringing back a deceased person through technology as a proper form of remembrance.
Prior to the interviews, few of the participants had prepared their data in anticipation of death. After discussing the concepts, most participants felt that preparing data in anticipation of death was important to consider.
ETX Studio
Sun May 16 2021
Our digital data could create a digital legacy for future generations. - ETXStudiopic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.