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I think it’s very much this latter. The multiplying force of technology has made it extremely difficult to overthrow a government by force. I do not think it i
by slashdev 3y ago
I think it’s very much this latter.
The multiplying force of technology has made it extremely difficult to overthrow a government by force. I do not think it is possible in the West.
Governments have never had so much control over money and information. They’re not losing control, they just keep tightening their grip.
I don’t know if this Democratic experiment can survive in that environment. I certainly hope it does, but bills like this give me doubts.
- robertlagrant 3y ago> Governments have never had so much control over money and information. They’re not losing control, they just keep tightening their grip. Well - East Germany must've had worse, surely? All money controlled by the state and state-sponsored spying?
- mcpackieh 3y agoI've heard the Stasi were breaking into people's homes and stealing their underwear to store in archives of scent jars for their dogs, but as extreme as that is I don't think that and their other tactics gave them anything close to the surveillance capabilities modern governments now have thanks to everybody carrying a smartphone 24/7.
- robertlagrant 3y agoWell, sometimes they'd have someone crouched in the room next door listening and looking. That seems fairly invasive even by today's standards.
- mcpackieh 3y agoYes, the things the Stasi did were insanely paranoid. But I think they still got less "bang for their buck" than modern western democracies. The latter have a far more complete map of who associates with who, logs of where people have been even months before they become subjects of interest, etc.
- robertlagrant 3y agoI think it was probably better - if people can turn in their neighbours or family for a small reward that's a lot cheaper than mass surveillance, and it induces compliance as a bonus!
- CaptWillard 3y agoBy 1980s standards, maybe. In their wildest dreams, the soviets couldn't have imagined the access and leverage most western governments have today.