my thumb

A little while ago the niece and nephew came to town. First time in LA for real. 13 and 15 years old. No discussions, they deserve a tour of what the city is about. That meant (because the aunt doesn't approve of advertising consumption as an actual fulfilling leisure activity) no shopping malls (the stores in the burbs where they are from are the same anyway), but the LACMA, downtown, the Walk of Fame, the boardwalk in Venice, the new skate park on the beach (nephew is an avid skater) a farmer's market down our street (those kids had not idea this exists...) and because they are teenagers, an amusement park. Hollywood's own Universal Studios theme park. Always fun to tour the back lot and think you are close to where "the movies" are being made. Also they have a new Simpsons ride and the sun was shining.

Standing in line we debated for a moment to save $5 or actually pay full prize and get the annual pass. I had gone to the park with a girl-friend of mine on visit from Germany a few years back and had committed to the one year thing - only to find out I didn't go again. Guess I am not excited enough about amusement parks to feel drawn there again and again. But, since it doesn't cost anything extra you may as well...

Last time you had to have a picture taken that would be printed on that plastic 1-year card as to make sure only you would use that special access to the park. But technology progresses. To a police treatment. "For my protection" my thumb print was taken and associated with the pass. I wanted to refuse and yet I pressed that digit on the glass plate, staring at the indifferent park entrance girl with her blue Universal emblazoned polo shirt. "This is terrible." I say to her shrugging. "Makes it the easiest, just how we do it. It's for your own protection." What are you protecting me from? You gather forensic evidence for what? My sensibilities are those of a dinosaur in the digital age. It is just my thumb. But the only other time that is required is when I enter this country at the border. Iris scan and thumb print. Trickled down as the procedure to enter an amusement park. Digital markers everywhere. Credit card swipes, online traffic, GPS stamps, cell phone coordinates - why this indignation about just one more thumb print? Because it deserves to be recorded. That in 2010 it is normal to be treated like a felon in police custody when you go to an amusement park.