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Give them the power? No that's not how it works in the USA. Companies have free reign to do what they will, its up to us the people to demonstrate why / decide

Give them the power? No that's not how it works in the USA. Companies have free reign to do what they will, its up to us the people to demonstrate why / decide what they are doing is illegal and demand laws around it. I think the question is why aren't more people pissed off about this? Some would say its apathy, I would say its simple lack of knowledge and understanding. Nobody wants to be spied on.

adventured 11y ago
This isn't an argument in favor of the espionage state, upfront clarification. People typically aren't afraid of things they haven't yet personally been given a reason to be afraid of. Americans are told the spying makes them safer. Americans fear terrorism, and they're told the focus of the spying is terrorism. Very, very, very few Americans have seen negative repercussions from the spying (so far as they personally notice or 'feel' going about their daily lives). So far, to that typical American, it's almost all theoretically helpful and not harmful. I agree that a lack of understanding - properly comprehending the full historical scope and risks of such power - is at the root of why it's tolerated. I think inside of most Americans, you'll find a belief that their government can't be fundamentally evil (thus they don't fear the really bad potential outcome scenarios of such spying), even if it occasionally does something bad.
- brbsix 10y ago
  You've noted something very interesting. People in the West seem to have forgotten the essence of government. Government is not a charity. For better or for worse, it's a monopoly on violence. Any action it takes is ultimately predicated on the threat (or use) of force. IMHO the sooner people realize this, the better.
deepnet 11y ago
Under mass surveillance no-one voices dissent. Pew reports most Americans have modified their online behaviour since Snowden. An illusion of consent produced by fear.

adventured 11y ago

This isn't an argument in favor of the espionage state, upfront clarification. People typically aren't afraid of things they haven't yet personally been given a reason to be afraid of. Americans are told the spying makes them safer. Americans fear terrorism, and they're told the focus of the spying is terrorism. Very, very, very few Americans have seen negative repercussions from the spying (so far as they personally notice or 'feel' going about their daily lives). So far, to that typical American, it's almost all theoretically helpful and not harmful. I agree that a lack of understanding - properly comprehending the full historical scope and risks of such power - is at the root of why it's tolerated. I think inside of most Americans, you'll find a belief that their government can't be fundamentally evil (thus they don't fear the really bad potential outcome scenarios of such spying), even if it occasionally does something bad.

brbsix 10y ago
You've noted something very interesting. People in the West seem to have forgotten the essence of government. Government is not a charity. For better or for worse, it's a monopoly on violence. Any action it takes is ultimately predicated on the threat (or use) of force. IMHO the sooner people realize this, the better.

deepnet 11y ago

Under mass surveillance no-one voices dissent. Pew reports most Americans have modified their online behaviour since Snowden. An illusion of consent produced by fear.