My Project

My project though undefined during our class discussion will deal with the databases that I currently use through the county on Drug and alcohol prevention. Here is the site even though you can't get in http://bdap.health.state.pa.us/pbps/. The Prevention Based Provider System also known as PBPS evolved from floppy disks that were sent in quarterly to a website in which providers input data on clients that utilize the various programs. Prior to the website, there was a trust that agencies would input the appropriate data on the participants and not "fudge" the numbers. With the onset of the website there is a "big brother" aspect that can check at their discretion who puts in the data and at what time. In addition to such surveillance the website is constantly updated and meetings are held at least twice a month to discuss the direction the system is heading. In essence the site is eventually going to herd the agencies into inputting data relevant to the county. Let me explain that a bit. Initially the county told all agencies to input every and all activities associated with prevention. Then, they suggested we input more of the ongoing activities and limit the one time activities since they are harder to scientifically measure. The whole idea of scientific measurements and such is explained on the SAMHSA site. Just follow the link. Limiting the ongoing activities was just the tip of the iceberg. Next they have pre-selected surveys in which we have to administer to the participants. It used to be our choice. But what I've gathered is that they are doing so in order to fulfill their requirements to either the state or the federal government. Mind you that's just my opinion. This may raise some overall issues on digital governance such as how much power does the creator of the website have in tracking your activity on their site. Similar big brother activities can be seen on Amazon.com where they "intuitively" track where you go and then give you helpful suggestions on other products that may interest you. There is also the fact of certain programs that will gather your internet activities and then instantly their advertisement will pop up on your computer. All though my instance and the other instances I've given are on the extremes it ties in to the question I think I'm trying to pose: How anonymous are you online and who is really watching your activity? Perhaps my classmates and/or Dr. Shulman will help me to streamline that question or re-work it.