3 ms·

Your analogy is completely flawed. Automakers aren't putting root exploits in vehicles that allow override by the government when it detects you're going to an

by kunai 13y ago

Your analogy is completely flawed. Automakers aren't putting root exploits in vehicles that allow override by the government when it detects you're going to an "unauthorized" music dealer. And are late 60's cars really that bad? There weren't any of the fallback mechanisms we take for granted, such as airbags, so people drove better. Styling is questionable, but many cars on the road look and drive like bloated, lifeless wagons. The cars were actually fun to drive... Maybe I'm being romantic about 60's vehicles, but if you care to argue, please do so.

sliverstorm 13y ago
I probably wasn't clear enough, but I wasn't trying to compare cars to rootkits. I agree this rootkit thing is ridiculous. Rather, I was thinking about the general idea that ordinary Joes ought to be as worried about freedom as we are being. Late 60's cars are not horrific or anything like that. But be realistic- the performance, longevity, emissions, driveability, and weight of engines have all come a very very long way, and in my personal experience a multitude of other characteristics have made leaps and bounds as well, such as suspension- though that is mostly just more sophisticated now, rather than more electronic. I love old sports cars, and I love their soul. But if we are talking engineering, ground yourself- take a gander at this article: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-revenge/ http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-reveng...
- krichman 13y ago
  We should absolutely be more worried about digital rights and freedoms, because freedoms with your car are already pretty well secured. You can loan it to a friend, you can sell it, you're allowed to take it apart and mess with it on your own property, you can publish manuals on how to take it apart and mess with it without fear of legal action, the manufacturers aren't going to add a camera to watch your every move, etc. And there's no equivalent of manufacturers selling a car such that it is impossible for you to swap out parts unless Microsoft has signed them. In this increasingly digital world, many people are going to be totally beholden to Microsoft, Apple, et al in terms of what software they are allowed to install on their devices. In certain cases they are already constrained by the ideology of one provider. This should frighten you. And it's even more frightening that we can already legally prevent people from altering the software on their own device to make it behave as they wish. In sum, your car is never going to refuse to take you to an adult bookstore, that's why it is different.

by kunai 13y ago

sliverstorm 13y ago

I probably wasn't clear enough, but I wasn't trying to compare cars to rootkits. I agree this rootkit thing is ridiculous. Rather, I was thinking about the general idea that ordinary Joes ought to be as worried about freedom as we are being. Late 60's cars are not horrific or anything like that. But be realistic- the performance, longevity, emissions, driveability, and weight of engines have all come a very very long way, and in my personal experience a multitude of other characteristics have made leaps and bounds as well, such as suspension- though that is mostly just more sophisticated now, rather than more electronic. I love old sports cars, and I love their soul. But if we are talking engineering, ground yourself- take a gander at this article: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-revenge/ http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-reveng...

krichman 13y ago
We should absolutely be more worried about digital rights and freedoms, because freedoms with your car are already pretty well secured. You can loan it to a friend, you can sell it, you're allowed to take it apart and mess with it on your own property, you can publish manuals on how to take it apart and mess with it without fear of legal action, the manufacturers aren't going to add a camera to watch your every move, etc. And there's no equivalent of manufacturers selling a car such that it is impossible for you to swap out parts unless Microsoft has signed them. In this increasingly digital world, many people are going to be totally beholden to Microsoft, Apple, et al in terms of what software they are allowed to install on their devices. In certain cases they are already constrained by the ideology of one provider. This should frighten you. And it's even more frightening that we can already legally prevent people from altering the software on their own device to make it behave as they wish. In sum, your car is never going to refuse to take you to an adult bookstore, that's why it is different.