I'd personally argue that there's quite a bit of a difference. Snowden, to my understanding, wasn't protesting a bad performance review and perceived neglect fr

I'd personally argue that there's quite a bit of a difference. Snowden, to my understanding, wasn't protesting a bad performance review and perceived neglect from upper management; he was protesting what he judged to be an illegal action on the part of his employer. That being said - I do agree with your sentiment that the more dependent society becomes on technology, the greater the risk posed by those who possess knowledge of how to operate and maintain that technology. This doesn't just apply to human beings too - electronic actors (e.g., automated systems or even AI) may someday if not already hold just as much power. The question in my mind then is how to "democratize" this power, so to speak.