5 ms·

Why can't people grasp what they are letting the government do? They wouldn't agree if the Gov't would want to bug all telephones and read your mail in order to

• starkfist 17y ago
  Sadly, I think a large percentage of the population WOULD let the government do that.
  • jrockway 17y ago
    They do do that. Remember the guy in jail for some manga he bought? The government found it because they randomly opened his mail. Then they decided he should go to prison for 15 years for having that box addressed to him. (And that's not even child porn, it was just books!)
    • starkfist 17y ago
      Remember the guy in jail for some manga he bought? I don't remember that, but I don't pay regular attention to the news.
      • jrockway 17y ago
        http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/02/obscene-us-manga-collector-jailed-6-months/ http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/02/obscene-us-manga-co...
• nazgulnarsil 17y ago
  same as it ever was. the only difference is that this time you have a front row seat. governments have been using the same rhetoric techniques to accomplish the same goals since the agricultural revolution at least, and probably before that.
• kvs 17y ago
  Why not? Large number of the population doesn't have anything worth writing about or losing if their mail/phone call show up on CNN or Fox News. It is sad, I agree. Lesson for us is not to despair but to figure out how we can "sell" a good idea as an economic incentive (vs. scare tactic). Majority of the population understands that. I would point to Bill Gates Innovation to Zero as a reference of this tactic. Check that talk out on TED.
  • ErrantX 17y ago
    The concern is not so much that. Indeed I wouldnt particularly worry too much either way about being monitored. The problem is as follows: - not everyone feels comfortable being monitored - innocent data (such as porn surfing) can cause serious damage to someone if released in the wrong way/light - there is the capacity for serious abuse. Someone could get unauthorized access to the system. Or the government could use it to impose censorship etc. So while the majority have nothing to lose - they also dont have a huge amount to gain (because things like this wouldnt stop malware being a problem as claimed - etc.). On the other hand it would adversely affect a reasonable minority for all sorts of reasons.
    • kvs 17y ago
      Yes, I understand that. And that's why "people" (which I thought referred to the majority) don't care about this stuff and these stupid policies get through senate & house. Those who benefit from these policies know how to make the majority care-- everyone cares about child exploitation, and terrorists-- but we haven't quite figured out how to make majority aware that this is a double edge sword or propose better alternatives (the hard part).
      • ErrantX 17y ago
        Im really sorry - for some reason I read your comment as saying "so why shouldn't they be monitored" Which clearly it doesnt. Umm :( Totally agree with you.
    • dantheman 17y ago