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22. The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Today, many of the debates about behavioural control in the age of big data echo Cold War-era anxieties about brainwashing, insidious manipulation and repression in the âtechnological societyâ. In his book Psychopolitics, Han warns of the sophisticated use of targeted online content, enabling âinfluence to take place on a pre-reflexive levelâ. On our current trajectory, âfreedom will prove to have been merely an interlude.â The fear is that the digital age has not liberated us but exposed us, by offering up our private lives to machine-learning algorithms that can process masses of personal and behavioural data. In a world of influencers and digital entrepreneurs, itâs not easy to imagine the resurgence of a culture engendered through disconnect and disaffiliation, but concerns over the threat of online targeting, polarisation and big data have inspired recent polemics about the need to rediscover solitude and disconnect.
A. Rather than freeing us, digital technology is enslaving us by collecting personal information and influencing our online behaviour.
B. With big data making personal information freely available, the debate on the nature of freedom and the need for privacy has resurfaced.
C. The role of technology in influencing public behaviour is reminiscent of the manner in which behaviour was manipulated during the Cold War.
D. The notion of freedom and privacy is at stake in a world where artificial intelligence is capable of influencing behaviour through data gathered online.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation by Wordpandit:
The passage delves into the complex issue of how the advent of big data and targeted online content can potentially exert influence over individual behavior, thereby raising pertinent questions about freedom and privacy in our digital era. Specifically, the passage likens the contemporary "behavioral control" enabled by big data to the concerns about "brainwashing" and "repression" that were prevalent during the Cold War. It further underscores that the application of targeted online content allows influence to be exerted on a "pre-reflexive level," essentially bypassing conscious thought. Additionally, the passage airs the worry that rather than freeing us, the digital age may have made us more vulnerable by rendering our personal and behavioral information accessible to machine-learning algorithms.
Against this backdrop, Option B emerges as the most apt summation of the passage's core argument. It correctly identifies that the ongoing debate about the true nature of freedom and privacy has been rekindled due to the increased accessibility of personal data via big data technologies.
Option A misrepresents the scope of the passage by suggesting that digital technology is "enslaving" usâa claim that the original text does not explicitly make.
Option C misinterprets the role of the Cold War reference. It is used as a historical analogy, not the main argument of the passage.
Option D inaccurately attributes the behavioral influence to artificial intelligence specifically, while the passage speaks more broadly about machine-learning algorithms and targeted content.
Thus, Option B most accurately reflects the central concern of the passage: the resurgence of the debate on privacy and freedom in light of how big data is utilized.
Word 1: Behavioural
Context:
"Today, many of the debates about behavioural control in the age of big data echo Cold War-era anxieties about brainwashing, insidious manipulation and repression in the âtechnological societyâ." - Source: Contemporary commentary on surveillance and psychology
Explanatory Paragraph:
âBehaviouralâ is an adjective that refers to actions, conduct, or observable responses of individuals or groups. In the given context, âbehavioural controlâ refers to influencing or manipulating how people act, particularly using data-driven technology. The word is commonly used in psychology, social science, and now increasingly in discussions of AI, surveillance, and digital influence.
Meaning: Related to the actions or responses of a person or animal (Adjective)
Pronunciation: bih-HAYV-yuh-ruhl
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From the word âbehaviourâ (from Old French *behaveour*, meaning conduct), with the suffix *-al* forming an adjective
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is essential in understanding psychology and social influence. âBehaviouralâ often appears in phrases like âbehavioural science,â âbehavioural economics,â or âbehavioural patterns.â It helps describe anything that deals with how people act or are made to actâvoluntarily or through manipulation.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: conduct-related, psychological, action-based, manner-based
Antonyms: cognitive, emotional, theoretical, abstract
Usage Examples:
- The psychologist studied the childâs behavioural responses to new environments.
- Behavioural economics examines how people make financial decisions in real-world settings.
- Companies use behavioural data to tailor online advertisements.
- The dog underwent behavioural training to improve its obedience.
Cultural Reference:
"Behavioural science became a prominent field during the Cold War, as nations studied how to influence public opinion and decision-making." - History of psychology and propaganda
Think About It:
How do you think companies or governments might use behavioural data to influence your decisions without your awareness?
Quick Activity:
Track your own behaviour for one day. List three habits you notice. What might be influencing themâchoice or environment?
Memory Tip:
âBehaviouralâ is just âbehaviourâ + â-al.â If itâs about how something behaves, itâs behavioural!
Real-World Application:
This word is key in fields like psychology, education, marketing, and AI ethics. It helps you analyze how human actions are studied, influenced, or modified across different domains.
Word 2: Manipulation
Context:
"Today, many of the debates about behavioural control in the age of big data echo Cold War-era anxieties about brainwashing, insidious manipulation and repression in the âtechnological societyâ." - Source: Contemporary commentary on surveillance and psychology
Explanatory Paragraph:
âManipulationâ refers to the act of skillfully influencing or controlling someone or somethingâoften in a secretive, deceptive, or unfair way. In the given context, it highlights fears that in the modern digital age, especially with the rise of big data, peopleâs thoughts and behaviors can be subtly steered without their full awareness, echoing historic concerns about mind control. The term often carries a negative connotation, especially when it involves emotional, political, or psychological influence.
Meaning: The act of controlling or influencing something or someone cleverly, often in a way that is not honest or fair (Noun)
Pronunciation: muh-nip-yuh-LAY-shun
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *manipulus* (a handful), related to *manus* (hand), suggesting something done by hand or control
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is essential when discussing power dynamics in media, politics, advertising, and relationships. While âmanipulationâ can sometimes mean skillful handling (as in machinery or data), it's most commonly used to describe subtle, often unethical control over peopleâs actions or emotions. Learn to spot manipulation in your surroundingsâitâs more common than we think!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: control, influence, exploitation, deceit, maneuvering
Antonyms: honesty, openness, transparency, sincerity
Usage Examples:
- The advertisement was a subtle form of emotional manipulation.
- She accused him of manipulation to gain sympathy.
- In the digital world, data manipulation can shape public opinion.
- Political campaigns often rely on media manipulation to steer voters.
Cultural Reference:
"Propaganda techniques during the Cold War were seen as powerful tools of mass manipulation." - Historical perspective
Think About It:
Where is the line between persuasion and manipulation? How can individuals protect themselves from being manipulated?
Quick Activity:
Identify two examples of manipulation from news, advertising, or fiction. What tactics were used?
Memory Tip:
Think âmanualâ + âpuppeteerâ â manipulation is like someone skillfully pulling strings to control actions behind the scenes.
Real-World Application:
Understanding manipulation is key in media literacy, psychology, and ethics. It empowers people to think critically about influences on their thoughts, decisions, and emotionsâespecially in the age of algorithms and targeted messaging.
Word 3: Trajectory
Context:
"On our current trajectory, âfreedom will prove to have been merely an interlude.â" - Source: Speculative commentary on social and political direction
Explanatory Paragraph:
âTrajectoryâ originally refers to the curved path that an object follows through space, such as a missile or a ball. Over time, it has also come to mean the direction or course that something is takingâwhether it's a personâs life, a companyâs growth, or a societyâs progress. In the context provided, âtrajectoryâ implies the current course of global or political events, suggesting that if we continue in the same direction, freedom may disappear or become a temporary phase.
Meaning: The path or course followed by something (physical or metaphorical) over time (Noun)
Pronunciation: truh-JEK-tuh-ree
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *trajectoria*, from *traicere* meaning âto throw across,â combining *trans-* (across) and *jacere* (to throw)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âTrajectoryâ is a powerful metaphorical word. Use it not just for rockets or arrows, but for trends, life paths, and movements. It's useful in discussions about change, progress, or decline. When you talk about a countryâs political trajectory or a studentâs academic trajectory, youâre capturing a long-term direction or trend.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: path, course, route, arc, direction
Antonyms: standstill, deviation, detour, halt
Usage Examples:
- The spacecraftâs trajectory was precisely calculated to enter Marsâ orbit.
- The companyâs financial trajectory has been upward over the past five years.
- Her academic trajectory shifted after she discovered a passion for psychology.
- If this political trajectory continues, democracy could be at risk.
Cultural Reference:
"In many dystopian novels, society follows a trajectory that begins with security and ends in surveillance." - Literary analysis
Think About It:
What trajectory do you think our digital society is currently onâtoward more freedom or more control?
Quick Activity:
Write two sentences: one about your personal trajectory in learning, and one about your countryâs social trajectory. Reflect on whatâs influencing both.
Memory Tip:
Think of âtrajectoryâ as the track or trail of something thrownâwhether itâs a rocket or a revolution.
Real-World Application:
Use âtrajectoryâ in essays, journalism, and public discourse to describe where trends are headingâwhether in politics, climate, technology, or personal growth.
Word 4: Algorithms
Context:
"The fear is that the digital age has not liberated us but exposed us, by offering up our private lives to machine-learning algorithms that can process masses of personal and behavioural data." - Source: Commentary on data privacy and artificial intelligence
Explanatory Paragraph:
âAlgorithmsâ are step-by-step procedures or sets of rules used by computers to perform calculations, solve problems, or make decisions. In the digital age, algorithms are the invisible engines powering search engines, recommendation systems, and data analysis tools. In the context provided, they are portrayed as powerful tools used in machine learning to sift through vast amounts of behavioral and personal dataâraising concerns about privacy and digital control rather than empowerment.
Meaning: A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or problem-solving, especially by a computer (Noun)
Pronunciation: AL-guh-ri-thuhmz
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latinized form of the name of Persian mathematician al-KhwÄrizmÄ«, whose works introduced systematic mathematics to Europe
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âAlgorithmsâ may sound technical, but they affect your life dailyâfrom what shows up in your social media feed to how your loan application is reviewed. Understanding them is key to being digitally literate. Use this word confidently when discussing AI, technology, or even patterns of decision-making.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: procedure, formula, method, routine, logic
Antonyms: guesswork, randomness, improvisation
Usage Examples:
- Social media platforms use algorithms to curate your news feed.
- The algorithm detected fraudulent activity in the banking system.
- Machine learning relies on complex algorithms to recognize patterns in data.
- She wrote a simple algorithm to solve the puzzle efficiently.
Cultural Reference:
"The Netflix recommendation system uses algorithms to suggest content based on your viewing habits." - Tech industry example
Think About It:
Can algorithms ever be truly neutral, or do they reflect the biases of the people and data theyâre built on?
Quick Activity:
Make a list of three digital services you use daily. Try to identify what role algorithms might be playing in each one.
Memory Tip:
Think of an algorithm as a recipeâa set of steps a computer follows to achieve a specific result.
Real-World Application:
Understanding algorithms is crucial in todayâs tech-driven world. It helps you critically assess how decisions are made in areas like education, finance, law enforcement, and digital marketing.
Word 5: Polarisation
Context:
"In a world of influencers and digital entrepreneurs, itâs not easy to imagine the resurgence of a culture engendered through disconnect and disaffiliation, but concerns over the threat of online targeting, polarisation and big data have inspired recent polemics about the need to rediscover solitude and disconnect." - Source: Commentary on digital culture and society
Explanatory Paragraph:
âPolarisationâ refers to the division of people, opinions, or groups into sharply contrasting and opposing sides. In todayâs digital context, it often describes how social media, algorithms, and targeted content push users into extreme ideological or emotional positions, reducing common ground. The word captures the growing concern that technology isnât just connecting peopleâitâs also intensifying differences and fragmenting public discourse.
Meaning: The process or state of dividing or being divided into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs (Noun)
Pronunciation: poh-luh-ry-ZAY-shun
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From the root *polar*, which refers to opposites (as in poles), plus the suffix *-isation*, indicating a process
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âPolarisationâ is key in current affairs, politics, and media discussions. It explains the rising divisions in societyâbe it liberal vs. conservative, urban vs. rural, or pro- vs. anti-technology. Itâs often used in articles and essays discussing democracy, misinformation, or culture wars. Use it when you want to describe growing extremes and the shrinking of middle ground in debates.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: division, separation, split, dichotomy, partisanship
Antonyms: unity, agreement, consensus, cohesion, harmony
Usage Examples:
- Social media has been blamed for increasing political polarisation.
- The debate quickly led to polarisation within the community.
- Polarisation is making it harder for democracies to function effectively.
- Algorithms often reinforce polarisation by showing users only content they agree with.
Cultural Reference:
"In recent years, polarisation in American politics has reached levels not seen since the Civil War era." - Political commentary
Think About It:
Is polarisation a natural consequence of free speech, or is it being artificially amplified by digital platforms?
Quick Activity:
Think of a recent issue (social, political, or cultural) that sparked polarised opinions. Write one sentence from each opposing viewpoint.
Memory Tip:
âPolarisationâ comes from âpolesââlike North and South. When views or people go to opposite ends, thatâs polarisation!
Real-World Application:
Understanding polarisation is crucial in fields like media, politics, sociology, and education. It helps explain societal divisions, voting behavior, and the impact of digital echo chambers.
