Big Tech, the Totalitarian State, and the Future of Abortion with Allison Fine

On today’s thoroughly enlightening episode of the Fall of Roe, Chris chats with activist, futurist, and author Allison Fine about the future of the surveillance economy and how it impacts abortion healthcare. The pair begin by talking about the Nebraskan mother who was recently criminalized for seeking abortion care for her teenage daughter after Facebook messages between the two were unearthed. It begs questions about Facebook and the future of the surveillance economy. How far will the government go to protect the pockets of corporate billionaires? They’ve awakened a totalitarian side of American democracy, and big tech continues to infringe upon the freedom that Americans have historically championed and cherished.

It’s also forced the pro-choice movement to adapt and innovate. Some states are even trying to pass laws enabling healthcare professionals to ship abortion pills directly to your address. More and more acts of civil disobedience are reaching the media across the country. Even a small population of pro-choice Republicans are starting to emerge from the woodwork. Charbonneau and Fine are hopeful, noting that we just need to get a lot more comfortable living in ambiguity for a little while. Voting season is right around the corner, and now is the best time to make a difference. So listen in to today’s episode and be inspired to join this noble movement.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

• The recent case involving a Nebraskan mother and daughter
• Facebook and the surveillance economy
• The future of private abortion care
• A totalitarian state aided by big tech
• The Republican pro-choice movement
• The importance of civil disobedience
• A new narrative around abortion access

Quotes:

“I was here for about 18 months and then ran for Congress here in New York. After that campaign, which I didn't win, but thoroughly enjoyed, I have been working with Plan C Pills since then.”

“Congress has kicked the can on creating a framework for regulating big tech and how it uses our data in a way that, say, the European Union has it right.”

“It's not a secret why Facebook has become the second largest lobbyist in DC, right?”

“The more you know about the world they want to create, the less you want to have anything to do with it.”

“The totalitarian state is being aided by big tech. By the surveillance economy they've created.”

“We have a chance to resurrect the pro choice Republican women that we need desperately on this issue.”

“Well, that's just it. I mean, one thing we have learned from SCOTUS is we have to stop underestimating them.”

“So we need to be hyper aware that everything we do online, Chris, is being watched, monitored, and sold. We are the product.”

“It sounds like we all have to get a lot more comfortable with living in ambiguity around how we help people in these circumstances.”

“I think that the technology and the clarity give us an opportunity to create a new chapter that, in particular, the young people are going to create, Chris, they're just going to make it, right? Whenever I talk to them, I'm very, very hopeful.”

Links:

Fall of Roe Homepage

Aid Access

Electronic Frontier Foundation

DuckDuckGo

Honeybee Health