Custom Fit

They took your data. Then they took control. The Great Hack uncovers the dark world of data exploitation through the compelling personal journeys of players on different sides of the explosive Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data scandal. In select theaters and on Netflix July 24.

I use to watch a show called “The Lottery Changed My Life”. As you may know, some people are naturally better at handling change than others. Most lottery winners, one out of three, go broke, waisting the miraculous opportunity. Another attribute of a sudden gain in money is the amplification of whatever characteristic you possess, vices, and blessings. Money doesn’t change people, it amplifies what was already there. Regardless of how good you may be at adapting, all major change comes with stress (see chart below).

A pandemic, a lasting event that is both unexpected and stressful much like winning the lottery, could be described as a one-size-fits-all global catastrophe. Although it has a blanket effect on people, it is also extremely customized per person based on what our situation was before it hit. Each of us has unique circumstances that have created a specific pandemic experience. It is as unique as our address if we are fortunate to have one. As I walk about my day these past three months I hear different experiences from each acquaintance, co-worker, relative, or strangers that I chat up. Here are the basic types in no particular order:

-My job is essential, working more hours, I’m exhausted, resources are difficult to come by, communication is slowed

-I was laid off from work, my unemployment was messed up, took 6 weeks to get it, I had to visit the food bank and paid no bills while waiting for unemployment to arrive

-I haven’t paid my rent since April 1st and I’m afraid I’ll be evicted on August 1st. I cannot afford to move so I will end up in my car

-We sold the home we lived in for 20 years, we are downsizing in preparation for retirement, I’m going on a vacation will be back in two weeks

-My wife got COVID-19, she’s high risk, was in the hospital for almost three weeks. The bill came and it’s close to $50k dollars! We will be paying this for the rest of our lives

-I hang out with friends, I’m young, I found a cool mask online. Glad school is over

-One day in March all of my clients called me, all 23 of them in one day, to cancel service. My husband came home early the same day—laid off from his job! I’ve been crying all week! We don’t have savings and I’m scared

-My husband and I are fighting more now. How can I leave him during a pandemic? I’m sheltered in place with someone I hate

-I work from home since the shelter-in-place mandates. I attend six zoom meetings a week with different departments. Almost 90% of my socializing is done electronically. It is somehow exhausting

-I’m doing OK. Left social media and got rid of my smartphone years ago to free up my time working on my art. I howl at the moon every night at 7:00. I’m worried for my neighbors

-I leave the house once a month for groceries. I work on my yard, sit on the porch, read, and talk to my neighbors as they pass by. I’m bored, but I want to be safe. I’m in a high-risk category. I am in no hurry to get back out there

-Laid off from the refinery and on unemployment since May. It’s like an extended vacation! I’m almost finished with my backyard projects, I’ve gone fishing, camping visited my Uncle over on the lake in Eastern Washington. All of this pandemic stuff and mask requirements are stupid. Once it’s over I’ll get my job back

-Two of our adult children needed to shelter in place at our home. So all six of us are under one roof again. I am very busy right now. When I come home sometimes very late I step over the sleeping bodies of two of my kids in the living room.

-I discovered that my regular life is similar to shelter-in-place. For about 10 years my work has been online, in a virtual office, I’m a gamer, and my whole social network is virtual.

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