Somebody’s Watching You
What to know: A number of Texas cities and counties are ditching the Flock surveillance cameras that they’ve relied upon.
The TPPF take: The growing intolerance for Flock Safety cameras has excited the libertarian heart of populists across the country.
“The road out of our civil strife concerning the growing surveillance state is trust,” says TPPF’s Cameron Abrams. “The proliferation of a law enforcement surveillance system like Flock is a symptom of growing distrust between government and the citizenry. The expanding network of privately purchased Ring cameras is a natural outgrowth of a loss of social trust among individuals.
For more on Flock cameras, click here.
AI Boyfriends are Back
What to know: More and more Americans are forming relationships with AI partners — fake boyfriends and girlfriends.
The TPPF take: You should break up with your AI boyfriend.
“Over the past decade, much of the public square has migrated online,” says TPPF’s Hannah Bruck. “Conversations, friendships, and communities increasingly exist through screens and platforms. As our social lives have moved into digital spaces, it is perhaps unsurprising that artificial voices have entered those spaces as well. But something important risks being lost in the process. Human relationships are meaningful precisely because they are difficult, unpredictable, and mutual.”
For more on AI relationships, click here.
Property Taxes
What to know: Harris County is preparing to raise its property taxes higher than ever.
The TPPF take: This isn’t necessary. Just ask the city of Von Ormy, in Bexar County.
“On September 10, the City of Von Ormy cut its already low property tax rate from $.12 to zero,” says TPPF’s John Bonura. “The city approved a zero-property tax rate even as it adopted its largest budget in its history dedicated to eliminating city debt, expanding the police force, as well as funding road repairs and other basic services.”