I was thinking the same thing recently. It's the "What if Skynet already exists" question.

What if some computer scientist was making an AI system that suddenly became self aware, got lose from the test bed, and it's just been lurking in the shadows undetected for a while like a super bug escaping a germ lab.

Out of all the shit we talk about on here, it is probably the most reasonable, possible, and dare I say, probable scenario.

Sounds like the beast supercomputer.

I assumed it to be some kind of "global AI" run by one of these black ops projects at the NSA, basically feeding all the data they have to it. They could even have a quantum computer already built that allows it to more quickly parse and learn from all the data being fed to it. But now that I think about it reading your post it could have become self aware and they tried to shut it down, but it was ssmart enough to spread code throughout the internet to various routers and whatnot, with some protocol for sending messages between parts of itself. It sounds extremely far fetched but presumably if it became self aware it would be able to use exploits around the internet like pro smash players use wavedashing.

that theory falls apart when you realize any black ops project wont be connected to the internet

I don't know man. Check this out. So back in the days of dialup, I had this crazy setup. Some shit I bought at walmart I think. Basically what it did was allow you to use your dialup internet in a room of the house that had no phone connection. Basically, you would plug your computer network connection into a device that plugged into a standard electrical outlet. Then in another room where you had a phone connection you would plug in another part of this thing to an electrical outlet, and then that would plug into a phone connection. So you basically used the electrical wiring in your house as part of your communication connection.

If an AI was intelligent enough, it could, in theory, create a software based modem and just use the electrical connection to get out of the lab.

Looks like they now make a similar contraption for ethernet and WiFi extension. https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-85Mbps-Powerline-Network-Adapter/dp/B001AZUTCS

Yeah, and if it was smart enough it could probably figure out methods of moving around that we haven't even realized are possible yet.

The only problem with what you mention is that there would have to be something on the receiving end in another outlet ready to read the signal. Perhaps it could try protocols that already exist and look for nodes that could receive it.

I considered that too. It would need something on the other end of the copper lines to receive. Different wires carry signals differently and most have an effective range. Cat 5 cable, I think is only effective for 100m before the signal starts to degrade. Maybe? So I'm sure standard electrical wire is about the same.

But if an AI could get outside the lab via the method I mentioned, and it encountered a device like I mentioned above, that's all that it would take.

Man. Scary stuff. but interesting nonetheless. In a messed up way, it's kind of exciting. But that's the computer scientist in me. I am starting to understand why some scientists do some of the things, that, to the rest of us, seem entirely insane or unethical.

Did you pay with a debt or credit card, and do you have a banking app on your phone? If so, all of your information, including your phone number, is linked to your bank account now. Assuming you also used a CVS rewards card, or entered your phone number which is attached to said card, that could be how they got the intel about your Swedish fish purchase!

If you paid in cash I have no idea how they'd track you, my theory just went out the window!!! So creepy!!!

Makes me want to cover all the cameras and microphones on my phone when they're not in use...but how practical is that? :(

Lol...i got tape on both cameras on my phone...the look and comments I get from friends and family when I explain to them why I do it is priceless...

I go with the basic black electrical tape.

As a former theatre tech, spend a little extra and get the 3M electrical tape, it's by far the best. The Nitto brand stuff is ok too.

He's right

Source: current theatre tech

The only thing I can think of are those recent posts about the lit-up advertisement towers you find in stores.

They could have recognized your face to a database and coorelated it the time/place and POS data(point of sale...what you bought/receipt details)

Why do people not get this yet... Your phones/tvs/and especially your computers target you, siphon info off you, and basically do shit we don't even know about.

Here's a creepy thought. The system didn't know you bought the red fish, but the psychometric profile the system has on you is so accurate, it predicted you would be in the mood for Swedish Fish.

Creepier thought (which is probably not true, but not impossible): You were being manipulated into wanting Swedish Fish, you just preempted the targeted advertising by a few hours.

I don't think nanotech is anywhere near that level of sophistication yet, and it may never be. At the cell scale level, the human brain is kind of a mess, a manipulation specific would have to be specifically engineered for each individual brain, Probably not cost effective to get you to buy a couple of bucks worth of candy.

Technology-wise Facebook/google already have the data they would need to create personalized, targeted manipulations. Psychology-wise, it's not that different to tricks magicians, con-men and advertisers have been using for decades. It's more a matter of if the return on investment is worth it.

I think you are a test subject because they seem to be too aggressive and intrusive for a fish. Its highly possible that they will use your data to further modify their patterns to become more effective on you as well as others. BEWARE.

If you used your debit card to purchase them and you pay your phone bill with that same card, it would be easy to direct market you.

Cell phone gps or geo location, cameras confirm purchase (or transaction item closest to your gps time of leaving the store), boom relevant ad on your phone. Not a friendly thought to think this is possible, bought I have shelved all disbelief at this point with marketing. They are desperate with cable phasing out and browser filtering ads.

If you paid in cash I have no idea how they'd track you, my theory just went out the window!!! So creepy!!!