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I suspect this is an example of "when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure". If you're incentivized to rustle up a bunch of terrorists tha

I suspect this is an example of "when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure". If you're incentivized to rustle up a bunch of terrorists that just aren't there, you're strongly incentivized towards activity that will create terrorists that you can then lock up. Basically harassing lonely people and ruining their lives in the name of security theater. I think people around me, at least, are more scared of mass shootings by my neighbors now than they ever were of people these anti-terrorism programs were actually built to defend against—namely, muslims (at least here in the US, i'm sure australia has its own issues). EDIT: wording, done editing.

mhh__ 2y ago
I think the count dankula (guy who taught his dog to do a Nazi salute) case in the UK is a pretty good example of this although on a lesser scale than terrorism charges The guy (a clown, not genuine problem afaict) makes bad joke, gov goes after him for being offensive, he's now radicalized against a state that has clearly abused him.
- altruios 2y ago
  > he's now radicalized now?!?! Putting the cart before the horse... Nazis are a weird subject to joke about. If they are the butt of the joke - being made fun of for their ridiculousness - that's okay. Teaching a dog to make the nazi salute doesn't meet that threshold for me. To me, that's already radicalized behavior masked as "it's just a joke bro, don't get so worked up"... This is the kind of 'joke' that's only 'funny' to other nazi. Shoving nazism everywhere you can and laughing at other people's discomfort isn't the behavior of a comic: it's the behavior of a nazi.
duxup 2y ago
It's probably not a great resume builder to say "Decided not to move forward." on some things. Maybe it should be.
Peteragain 2y ago
Yep. The Australian term is "measurement dysfunction" - measure something people do, and it becomes the only thing they do. It's a generic principle - often tragic when applied to politicians and law enforcement.

mhh__ 2y ago

I think the count dankula (guy who taught his dog to do a Nazi salute) case in the UK is a pretty good example of this although on a lesser scale than terrorism charges The guy (a clown, not genuine problem afaict) makes bad joke, gov goes after him for being offensive, he's now radicalized against a state that has clearly abused him.

altruios 2y ago
> he's now radicalized now?!?! Putting the cart before the horse... Nazis are a weird subject to joke about. If they are the butt of the joke - being made fun of for their ridiculousness - that's okay. Teaching a dog to make the nazi salute doesn't meet that threshold for me. To me, that's already radicalized behavior masked as "it's just a joke bro, don't get so worked up"... This is the kind of 'joke' that's only 'funny' to other nazi. Shoving nazism everywhere you can and laughing at other people's discomfort isn't the behavior of a comic: it's the behavior of a nazi.

duxup 2y ago

It's probably not a great resume builder to say "Decided not to move forward." on some things. Maybe it should be.

Peteragain 2y ago

Yep. The Australian term is "measurement dysfunction" - measure something people do, and it becomes the only thing they do. It's a generic principle - often tragic when applied to politicians and law enforcement.