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"a person with privileges, rights, and responsibilities" I don't actually think that privileges bear any relationship to rights or responsibilities. If you ha

• Balgair 13y ago
  What if google wants to use their videos as part of real-time traffic? In such a case, shouldn't public servant's data, no matter the cause of the service, be allowed to be used for public good? What about when a cop makes a friendly but racist joke at a co-worker or friend? Should that be allowed? What about when the officers are having a fight with their boyfriends or in-laws. Just because the fight is occurring 'on-duty' doesn't mean that they can avoid it nor does it mean that they loose the right to have an argument with loved ones privately. Also, privileges are part of responsibilities. With further responsibilities come further privileges. Higher ranks in the military are saluted because of their increased duties, they also gain a better mess hall and other privileges as rank improves. Outside of the military, a driver's license is a good example. With the privilege of driving comes the responsibility to maintain safety for your vehicle. The responsibilities of a US citizen are to serve if drafted, to be educated, to serve on juries, to respect the law, to pay your fair share of the taxes, to respect the authority of the government, and to respect the differing opinions of other citizens. With this you gain many rights and privileges that are afforded to you that many people in other countries do not have.
  • cam_l 13y ago
    First off, thanks for replying. I don't really understand where you were going with your first paragraph. My point was there should be a damn good reason, and damn good protections, for the use of public data if it has the potential to transgress into the private boundaries of public servants. I think the additional potential for abuse of position in public service roles certainly forfeits some expectations of privacy. But do not see the public utility in allowing that kind of open data.. if you mean to point out that such a system will be abused, then I fully agree. My greater point, and the reason I posted, is exactly the opposite of your second paragraph. People often confuse privileges with rights, but they are simply something conferred on you by another. It is not like rights or responsibilities which tend toward a sort of universal human condition. They are given quid pro quo. Just because it may be given in response to exercising your responsibilities, does not mean it has anything whatsoever to do with them. Also, a driver's license is an interesting example. I generally think I have a right to do whatever the fuck I want as a human, provided I do no harm to others. Theoretically, it is not a privilege the state gives me. A drivers license is a social pact and further, a recognition that I take my responsibilities seriously. In reality, the state has taken away my right to drive, by threat of punishment, and given it back to me as privilege. Power games.. This sort of subtle manipulation of power and privilege makes me think that perhaps privilege is fundamentally morally wrong. Though probably unavoidable, they have a way of corrupting, both those who think they have a right to the power and those who think they have a right to the privilege.
    • Balgair 13y ago
      Sorry about the first paragraph, it was late. Interesting point about privilege being morally wrong. I hear a lot about privilege from minority action groups and was always kinda confused about the meaning of that word in the context of what they are speaking about. I think that your response here allows me to understand better. I have thought that the privileges I enjoy were NOT rights beforehand and that through more responsibility I gained them. Perhaps I have gained them back instead. Hmm, there is a lot to chew on here. Thank you for making me think today.