08/09: I've finally decided to begin the process of getting my COVID-19 vaccination. There are two things I want to point out. First, I didn't share my vaccination card on social media, and I'm not going to. Yes, most people are smart enough to at least blur out some information on their cards before sharing. But given that medical records are among the most important and sensitive pieces of personal information, any information shared is too much, especially in exchange for something as insignificant as a few "likes" on Instagram. I know people who not only shared their information publicly, but even personally sent me a picture of their card just to show me they've done it. Please, grow up. I'm not your mommy and I'm not your doctor - if you don't believe that protection from a deadly pandemic is enough incentive to get your vaccine, then feel free to buy yourself a lollipop and suck on it until you feel happier. Which brings me to the second thing I want to mention - despite having taken this long to get vaccinated, I'm neither particularly anti-vaccination nor pro-vaccination. Until the vaccines receive full approval (vs. emergency authorization), I think there's nothing wrong with letting each individual make a personal choice of whether or not to get it. Ever since vaccination became available to the general public, I've simply held on to my "what's the rush?" mentality - the same mentality I apply to technology, pop culture, and various other aspects of life. Wait until the fad dies to know what's really worth my time. Wait until reviews come out and prices drop to know what's really worth my money. After all, vaccine or no vaccine, the most important thing to do to prevent any sickness is to practice good and wise personal habits, regardless of what everyone else is doing.

But now that I've made my jump to the other side, I can't help but think a little more deeply about the possible reasons behind so many Americans choosing not to be vaccinated. Young children get plenty of scheduled shots during pediatrician visits, and most people don't doubt their effectiveness or importance. When we're sick and get medication from the store or a prescription from the doctor, we usually don't question whether or not they would be good for us. So why all the hesitancy regarding the COVID vaccines?

First, I believe people may have a fear of new things due to the possibility of unforseen problems. And that's perfectly understandable, especially given that this "new thing" is getting injected into our bodies and has to do with a deadly virus. Most of the fear probably revolves around unforseen side effects, especially in the long run. While science has generally proven beneficial to the health and well-being of individuals and populations, there's no doubt that it is, and always will be, a work in progress. Throughout history, we have had to learn from our mistakes in order to reduce or avoid future mistakes. And while it's becoming increasingly clear that the COVID vaccines are effectively serving their intended purpose without any known long-term consequences, the fact is that we can never be a hundred percent sure.

Second, we live in a society that increasingly questions and doubts the intentions and abilities of established authorities. I won't waste time arguing about why this is the case, but the fact that we were brought up learning to think and choose for ourselves, combined with other factors such as bad government leaders/decisions and overall discontent as a result of the padnemic, leads us to be increasingly conditioned to filter everything through our own lens. Rather than assuming that government leaders are doing what's best for us or that established laws are in the people's best interest, we naturally choose for ourselves what to believe and what to obey. No matter how many officials say something or how many news reports affirm it, the fact is we've become a society full of critics, for better or for worse. With so much attention on the development and testing of the COVID vaccines over the past year and a half, often involving various levels of government intervention and different economical, social, and political viewpoints, it's not surprising that people naturally view vaccination with the same level of self-established caution.

Plus, the influence of popular media certainly doesn't help, either. Long before this pandemic, there were many movies made about villians plotting to use some sort of secret drug or disease to wipe out entire unsuspecting populations, ultimately leading to world domination. I must admit that I've entertained the possibility, though highly unlikely, of the COVID vaccines having unintended lethal consequences many years or decades down the road on a national scale, resulting in genocide-level mortality rates, critical impairment of entire generations, or the country left highly vulnerable due to a sudden drop in adult population. As much as we like to deny it, we all know deep inside that the types of entertainment we expose ourselves to have at least a little impact on the way we think and act. Not too long ago, the idea of a global pandemic was something people would associate much more with Hollywood movies than with real life. And there are countless other examples of how things formerly existing only in fiction, whether good or bad, are now much closer to reality than we had once thought was possible. So now that the pandemic is as real as it can be, who knows what can happen next?

I find it quite ironic that, in a way, having a choice to make and the knowledge to make that choice actually makes us more fearful. People who would once walk casually into restaurants to enjoy dinner are now highly concerned about who sat at the table before them and how well everything was cleaned and sanitized. People who don't give a second thought about common vaccines and medications are now worried about the COVID vaccines, sometimes even more than about COVID itself. I'm not saying that's a bad thing; it's a blessing to have knowlegde and freedom of choice, and we should certainly exercise that freedom with wisdom. But it's just interesting that, when given a choice, we naturally start worrying about making the wrong choice.

Which leads me to my final point - why now? After having waited this long, why did I make the choice to get vaccinated now? I was never particularly for or against vaccination, but I simply didn't feel a need to rush to get it, since being able to work from home on most days means I'm generally in a safe environment with limited exposure to the virus. I guess deep inside, a part of me figured the longer I wait, the more the world can understand any possible longer-term issues regarding the vaccines. I knew all along that I'd get vaccinated sooner or later, and with the latest variant of the virus causing cases to spike again, I began following updates more closely on vaccine effectiveness and the directions various entities are taking to combat this latest threat. Recently, various government agencies, including the City of Los Angeles (which I work for), began drafting plans to require all their employees to either show proof of vaccination or receive regular COVID-19 testing. This will not only impact me directly, but also set a trend that many other employers are likely to follow. While it may still be some time until anything becomes official, it already serves as a clear indicator that vaccination has not only has proven to be safe and effective, but also will soon have elevated importance at both individual and societal levels.

To be honest, I can't help but wonder why these agencies didn't come up with this idea sooner. The preschool where Tiffany works at had a similar policy for teachers to either get vaccinated or receive regular testing as soon as vaccines became available to the general public a few months ago. It strikes an excellent balance between respecting each individual's personal choices and upholding the safety of the organization. I'm thankful to say that up to now, I haven't been in any situation that required me to get tested. But from what I've heard, testing can be both uncomfortable and time-consuming. So why not just get the darn vaccine and not have to give up time and comfort on a regular basis? Compared to a few months ago, vaccines are now available pretty much everywhere, and it's very easy to get an appointment at a desired time. I think this is a perfect time for those like me, who aren't particularly against vaccination but had simply held off for the heck of it, to get the shot and beat the possible rush once all the new rules start kicking in. Sure, the vaccine has yet to receive full approval, and technically no one knows for sure how it may affect people in the long run. But really, how much control do we have of our own daily lives anyway? If it turns out the shot will kill me, then at least I can leave this world knowing that I've made the decision to the best of my ability. And with each day that it doesn't, I'm thankful for the added level of protection (on top of continuing to practice wise habits of course) that enables me to live life to the fullest.

07/11: It is with great sadness that I announce that, as of today, "Free Slurpee Day" is officially dead. I've always enjoyed the once-a-year tradition of being able to walk into any 7-Eleven on July 11th and grab a free Slurpee - a tradition halted only by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. I know what you're thinking - "But Slurpee Day is back this year!" "But I got a free Slurpee today!" Allow me to explain.

I know most people will probably disagree with me on this, but I must say it anyway - Nothing is actually free if it requires you to download an app. That's right - if it requires an app, it ain't free. I remember back in high school or college (has it really been around two decades already!?), you could walk into pretty much any restaurant offering a birthday promotion on your birthday and receive whatever free item or discount was offered, simply by either telling them it was your birthday or by showing them your ID if asked to do so. When you received a coupon in the mail for a free dessert, or when there was a special day when a restaurant was giving out a free item, all you had to do was walk in and claim it. Many restaurants eventually began offering freebies via email subscriptions, which really wasn't much of a hassle - just print out the email or open it on a mobile device, and the freebie is yours. But nowadays, it seems like just about every business is eager to have customers not only know and enjoy its products, but also sign up for some sort of membership that grants access to exclusive offers. And with more and more people spending hours a day glued to their phones, it only seems logical that more and more companies are trying to get customers to download their own apps.

So how is downloading an app any different from signing up for an email list? To sum it up, the key difference is that email is not necessarily tied to a user's phone, which is often too closely tied to a user's identity. You can easily create new email accounts to be used for promotional emails so that they don't clutter your primary email account. (I've done this for many years and it's proven to be a great way to keep my main email clean without me having to miss out on any offers from stores or restaurants I'm interested in.) Phone apps, however, are directly linked to devices that know a lot more about their users (and have a lot more control over them) than their users often realize. Just think about it. On a typical computer, almost all software (at least the legimitate ones) and operating systems allow a wide spectrum of user customization, ranging from basic settings/preferences to highly technical changes that only advanced users know how to implement. While tech companies are constantly pushing everyone to upgrade to the latest versions of everything, ultimately you have the choice to run programs and operating systems as old or as new as you desire, for as long as you want. And for the most part, computers don't know much about you other than what you choose for it to remember. With even a somewhat basic knowledge of hardware, you can swap out parts or even build your own machine to fit your exact needs. As for phones and apps, by default they are programmed to provide convenience to their users, which translates to seeking to know their lives and their information. And in many cases, important data such as phone numbers and credit card numbers are required for the device to function effectively. Devices are generally not able to be modified or repaired without the help of a trained expert. Customization options in most apps are highly limited and often clearly biased toward the creator. Most updates are mandatory, and users have no choice but to accept whatever the creators think is best. When was the last time you actually read through all of the fine print of a new app before pressing "Agree"?

Most people will think I'm clearly overreacting to something that really isn't a big deal. After all, companies probably want customers to download their apps simply to have a more clear understanding of their customer base, and targeted advertising really isn't anything new or surprising. But how do you know that you data being collected is really safe? When I got a new phone, it automatically came to know my home/work location, where I park my car, and my frequent commute times, even though I never provided it with any of that information. Most people have at least a handful of apps that remember their credit card numbers or bank account numbers and can make financial transactions in the blink of an eye. Are you really certain that all those apps are secure? The Bible app, Facebook, and several popular game and weather apps have all been brought in the spotlight in recent years for privacy and security issues. In many cases, even government agencies don't have a clear stand on what's considered invasion of privacy. Sure, a little targeted advertising probably won't hurt. But do you really know what information is being tracked and what it's being used for?

That's exactly where the problem is. Thanks to our culture's seemingly insatiable desire for convenience and connectivity, much of our lives now are controlled by devices that allow access to just about everything with a few simple clicks. We've welcomed a whole generation of technology that's dangerously oversimplified for users. In the name of convenience, we've forgotten the difference between not needing to deal with complexities to not having the option to deal with complexities. Compared to computers, smartphones allow frighteningly little user control and are pretty much useless without connectivity. Additionally, most of what's happening behind those shiny touchscreens is kept hidden from users, and you simply have no way of accessing that knowledge.

I can confidently bet that if our society continues in the same direction it's currently headed, within the next decade or so issues such as data breaches, invasion of digital privacy, misuse of personal information, and identity theft will become an overwhelmingly large problem. Why? First, for the sake of convenience at our fingertips, we've become way too careless, allowing precious information to potentially slip through our fingertips more easily than ever before. Second, the fact that there's so much happening about us that we can't see or control creates a breeding ground for those with malicious intent as we continue our care-free obsession. We may not be thinking or worrying about these issues every day, but the fact is that even one small mistake can completely change your life and the lives of your loved ones in irreversible ways. Convenience isn't a bad thing, but is it really worth the risk?

Anyway, back to 7-Eleven. First, let me clarify. A quick look at their website reveals that signing up for the rewards program (which is now a requirement to participate in "Free" Slurpee Day") can be done without the app. However, from the information in the FAQ's section, it seems clear that most features of the program, including redeeming points, can't be done without the app. I'm certainly not saying there's anything particularly questionable about 7-Eleven's app, or that apps in general are necessarily bad. Chances are most apps are probably safe and not harmful, and downloading a single app probably isn't going to destroy your life. But I'm simply using this "Free" Slurpee Day to illustrate a point, since it's probably one of the country's longest-running and best-known freebie days. Let me put things into perspective. Did you notice that this new app requirement was simultaneously announced with the news that rewards members can redeem their Slurpee offer throughout the month of July rather than only on the 11th? Sure, that may appear as good news, but think about it - what better way to minimize the impact of bad news than to redirect attention to good news? It certainly works on my two-year-old, and apparently it works on most adults, too. Once again, this points to our excessive dependence on convenience, and how easily it can blind us from reality. I know the pandemic has taken a toll on many business, and it may not be easy to just give things away for free. But even if 7-Eleven needs to downsize the cups or limit the number of giveaway cups at every location, at least the Slurpees are still really free, without any fine print. They'll still accomplish the purpose of increasing publicity and drawing potential customers to the stores, while leaving the rest in the customers' hands. So I can't help but wonder, if 7-Eleven really doesn't have any ulterior motives for giving out Slurpees this year, then why bother requiring the app download?

When we choose to casually download all kinds of apps, make excessively easy financial transactions, and entrust our life-changing information to tiny devices that we have so little control over or knowledge of, it's not much different from choosing to go for a midnight walk alone while carrying a Louis Vuitton bag. Just because chances are you won't encounter any bad guys along the way, common sense tells you it's probably wiser to bring some buddies, leave your valuables at home, or just wait until daytime. For the record, I rarely download or use any apps other than out of necessity. Of course, even that doesn't guarantee that nothing will be compromised. But at least I'm doing what I can. I know that I may be missing out on a lot of freebies, and over time those missed opportunities will probably increase as the role of smart phones in our world continues to grow. But even a hundred free Slurpees simply ain't worth opening the door for one more way of being tracked in cyberspace.

I hate to sound so pessimistic, but it's important that we are in tune with the reality of the world we live in. This world is full of wolves in sheep's clothing. And as we enjoy all the freebies, convenience, connectivity, speed, and other shiny objects that are made so easily accessible, we must always remember to take a step back and see the big picture. Faster isn't always better. Convenience isn't always beneficial. And free certainly isn't always free. Challenge yourself to develop a habit of thinking before conforming, and you'll certainly recognize the difference.

With all that said, I want to end on a positive note and applaud a company that still believes in and stands for true freedom - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Every June, we fat Americans get to celebrate National Doughnut Day, and Krispy Kreme has never wavered from giving away a free doughnut to every customer. Last month I walked into the nearest Krispy Kreme, asked for a free doughnut (you can choose any flavor you want!), and walked out happily with it. No purchase required. And nobody needed to know my name or anything about me. Their "vaccination doughnut" freebie is a pretty sweet deal too, helping the nation fight against the pandemic while putting a smile on people's faces. Once again, no personal information is needed - just show your vaccination card (which they barely care to look at in detail), and a free donut is yours, for as many times as you want until the end of the year(!). I'm sure this costs Krispy Kreme a fortune, especially in a time when pretty much the entire food industry has already been negatively impacted by the pandemic. But I'm thankful that in an increasingly corrupt world, someone still believes in true generosity. Yes, they're probably doing this in exchange for some good publicity. But that publicity is rightfully earned while allowing customers rightful control of their information. No fine print, no questions asked, no fear of ulterior motives or potential long-term consequences (other than gaining a few extra pounds). In a world of increasing darkness, may the light of freedom shine unceasingly and ever so brightly.