In a world where convenience reigns and privacy erodes, we’re trading our social contracts for a digital surveillance state—and big tech is the only winner.

In an era where 5G, smartphones, smart TVs, and AI-powered homes are no longer futuristic luxuries but everyday essentials, we're ushering in a tech-driven world that raises some uncomfortable questions. As we voluntarily invite more digital surveillance into our lives, are we sleepwalking toward a "digital panopticon," where privacy is a relic of the past? In this rapidly evolving landscape, the stakes are high—and maybe we're the last to realize it. As an anthro-technologist, I'll explore why the so-called "smart revolution" may not be so brilliant after all, and how we've unwittingly traded our social contracts for the convenience of big tech. Should we be preparing for a digital apocalypse—or is it already here?