I think Snowden is a victim of (naive?) idealism. Idealism often has very short term focus and isn't very strategic. This led him into the trap of realpolitik

I think Snowden is a victim of (naive?) idealism. Idealism often has very short term focus and isn't very strategic. This led him into the trap of realpolitik where the notion of purity isn't a concern. So he saw the US engaging in bad things, in illegal activity --without taking into account how the rest of the world works and how much worse things outside can be. Sometimes whistleblowing can bring change for the good, but it's not a guarantee --in this case, "the powers that be" have too much vested in this organ and will seek to minimize this inconvenient problem he represents.