I think that was part of DARPA's 2001 Total Information Awareness progam. For 330 million American citizens, let's see, that's about a $100,000 upfront investment each at todays's prices? So um, 33 trillion dollars? Add in economies of scale, maybe 3-4 trillion dollars? About half the cost of the Iraq War and Afghan War combined?
Who needs infrastructure, education, public health, etc. when your primary concern is spying on your own population? The STASI and Gestapo - and their clients - would have understood.
Oh it will get better, sure there will be your government issued spy watching you, but there will also be you Google/Facebook/Amazon/Microsoft issued spies which will also harass you hyper-targeted personalized ads. walk past animated ad it uses deepfakes to put you and your family in a auto insurance ad, go farther down the street you see your family in another ad for a realtor and your family smiling as they move into a new home, which is a real home in your area for sale happens to be for sale for just slightly more than your willing to pay but you son look so happy in the ad. as you keep walking eye tracking software keeps note of how long your yes linger and where. Did you eyes rest on that women's breast a half second longer than the algorithm expected well now your getting ads for Viagra and condoms with her in them the next day. That's where we are headed
Who needs infrastructure, education, public health, etc. when your primary concern is spying on your own population? The STASI and Gestapo - and their clients - would have understood.