This is a clever little stunt. The magazine Reason will combine its subscriber database, MapQuest-like mapping software, and satellite imagery to put its own readers’ homes on the cover of their copies of the magazine in an upcoming issue. The cover story will focus on the benefits and potential harms of data mining and the like:
“Our story is man bites dog,” Mr. Gillespie said. “Everybody, including our magazine, has been harping on the erosion of privacy and the fears of a database nation. It is a totally legit fear. But they make our lives unbelievably easier as well, in terms of commercial transactions, credit, you name it.”
The issue’s covers will no doubt illustrate one side of this two-edged sword rather well.