[cabinpark]

> The end state is fairly obvious - every light, every doorknob will be connected to the internet.

Why does my doorknob need to be connected to the internet? Does my fork need to be connected to the internet as well? How about my shelf? Or my towel?

And if they are connected to the internet, who is collecting that data? Is it secure? What will it be used for?

[icebraining]

Why does my doorknob need to be connected to the internet?

So you can pay to use it: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B9XFnbFIMAEj8rF.jpg

[mkagenius]

> Why does my doorknob need to be connected to the internet?

Burglary perhaps.

> Or my towel?

Germs data collection perhaps.

> And if they are connected to the internet, who is collecting that data?

Whoever you authorize it to, perhaps.

> Is it secure?

I doubt it will be 100% secure.

[hkmurakami]

It's okay we'll have artisan "analog" doorknobs that we can pay 5x for.

[tomasien]

It's likely that none of those "need" (by any definition) to have a chip or be connected to the internet, but that doesn't mean that they won't or that you won't find a lot of utility and/or joy in the fact that they do.

As to your questions - great questions, and the answers will be great opportunities to start/grow companies. "Who is collecting the data" and "is it secure" already are, "what will it be used for" will be in 5-10 years.

[mdonahoe]

I am reminded of this Thoreau quote:

"We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate."

[sixbrx]

Industrial grade condescension, sounds like Thoreau all right. He could have maybe found real wilderness at either of those places, but then mom wouldn't have been able to bring cookies and do laundry weekly.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/19/pond-scum

[xbmcuser]

   There won't be a door knob. The sensor will be in the door which will slide open for you when you are near but stay locked for everyone else. 
   Some of these things are already being done by people later they will be common at least for the people that can afford them.

[salmonet]

So I don't have to carry around keys all the time