Yum Brands in general and Taco Bell in particular represent a pathway to normalization. It will not be the powers-that-be who are forcing people to embrace these draconian measures. It will be the growing number of “cashless normies” who will demand such measures be embraced by businesses and their peers alike. Keep that in mind as you read this story from Reclaim The Net…

Taco Bell’s recent announcement of transitioning to a cashless business model raises alarming concerns about privacy and civil liberties. While the company proudly touts its endeavor to become a fully digital establishment in the near future, it obscures the deeper implications for consumers.

The company’s aim to capitalize on impulse digital transactions over traditional cash exchanges might sound like a novel approach to modernize sales techniques. However, behind this façade lies a concerning benefit: to heavily surveil and monetize consumers’ preferences. Taco Bell’s new data platform, designed to analyze consumer behavior meticulously, embodies a step towards an invasive corporate oversight into what people eat, when, and how often.

Chris Turner, CFO of Yum! Brands, Taco Bell’s parent company, might express enthusiasm about the potential of this platform for “personalized marketing, joint branding, and future automation.”

Yet, such initiatives might just be a veneer for a more troubling reality – the erosion of consumers’ privacy.

Even more disconcerting is the potential societal exclusion this move could propagate. A cashless model marginalizes groups who predominantly rely on cash and prefer privacy.

Moreover, individuals in service industries, who primarily depend on cash tips, stand to lose the immediacy of their hard-earned income in a cashless landscape. Digital payments, while convenient for some, can become an impediment for others.

While Taco Bell seems eager to replace human interaction with cold, impersonal touchscreens across its franchises, the real cost of this move extends beyond just a changed payment method. It’s a dangerous precedent, risking the erosion of privacy and inclusivity in the relentless pursuit of digital dominance. As Taco Bell strives to redefine the fast-food industry with its digital-first approach, it’s essential to question: at what cost to individual freedom?

The latest comes from Chicago where a Taco Bell was hit by a group of what appears to be teenage or young adult girls. Watch:

¡Ay, Dios Mío!

From the Taco Bell Cantina at Clark and Division overnight, we're told.#Chicago pic.twitter.com/SjzHQ60Mg6

— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) July 17, 2022

There have been many theories popping up, none of which make sense by themselves. Some say being locked down for so long has prompted suddenly “free” kids to act out. Others are blaming a general angst in the population, especially in urban areas. Still others are blaming it on social media in general and TikTok in particular where videos such as these can often help kids “go viral.”

Perhaps it’s a combination of those things, but I have another theory. There appears to be a spirit of chaos spreading across the nation and around the globe, and it’s not just affecting young people. Is there something demonic about this trend?