> There are plenty of ideas for addressing the surveillance problem but perhaps it is time to take a step back and look at the "big picture". The "big picture"

> There are plenty of ideas for addressing the surveillance problem but perhaps it is time to take a step back and look at the "big picture". The "big picture" for me are the effects of the loss of privacy. What was once one of the most horrendous forms of punishment/torture, is now mainstream. Also, this only gives more power to already too powerful of people (you already mentioned the nukes). I think we've already proven we don't need mass surveillance to not blow ourselves up. > Another part to this is whether conspiring online actually constitutes a crime. ""To be classified as a crime, the act of doing something bad (actus reus) must be usually accompanied by the intention to do something bad (mens rea), with certain exceptions (strict liability)."" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime In other words, it's up to the most powerful, who are also in control of the surveillance to decide this, not us. Also, the "big picture" issues here aren't really surveillance itself, but MASS surveillance, SECRET courts, and CLASSIFIED evidence.