Futuristic Targeted Advertizing?

Creepy shades of that old Tom Cruise movie: "Minority Report"

To get this, it would help if you remember the movie from 2002. I'm not sure I ever got the point of it, but one thing I do remember from this science fiction noir film, was how sophisticated and computerized everything was. One scene that sticks in my memory, is when our hero, John Anderton, is walking down a crowded walkway. A camera on the ceiling scans his eyes, the "Big Brother-type" computer pulls up his preferences, and a voice begins to "target-advertise" to him. "Your favorite jeans are on sale..." (Haunting how similar this is to certain search engines and social media formats.)

So, I've just sat down at a sunny coffee shop cafe with my beautiful daughter. Sipping ice coffees and celebrating her new job. BTW, everybody has their "talk zone." For some, it's right before they fall asleep. For others its on the phone while driving (Still legal in 45 states!) For my adult daughter it's coffee shops. The chatty environment, the feel of a "date," and the imagined privacy (as compared to a home with family around.) The caffeine helps too.

Suddenly, my phone registers an e-mail. It's sitting right on the table, so I glance over at it. It's a personalized ad from the sandwich shop right next door to the cafe!

"How did they even  know I'm here?!" I exclaim.

My daughter quips, "Yeah. It's just like Tom Cruise in Minority Report!" (I love having a well-cultured kid.)

You should know that one of the things I do in my present job, is teach people how to minimize their electronic foot-print. Simple things like not leaving your "Location Services" beacon running is basic. Mine is off, of course. How did they do it?! This is really disturbing!

My mind is rummaging through all kinds of conspiracy theories, as I further examine the apparent location-activated, "group-on."

My amazement and activist adrenaline finally begins to subside as I realize this is actually nothing more than a pre-ordering opportunity for a catered lunch meeting I'm attending next week. The convener of the gathering had given them my email address. The timing of it's arrival was purely coincidental. Got a good chuckle at my suspicious-self. Okay. Yes please. I'll have the cookie too.