4 ms·

This page, content-wise, doesn't appear to have a clear message. EFF -- if you're listening -- it would be great to stake a very clear position on this bill at

This page, content-wise, doesn't appear to have a clear message. EFF -- if you're listening -- it would be great to stake a very clear position on this bill at the very top of your statement. Something like "We urge you to support the USA Freedom Act." Since neither the name of the bill itself, nor anything on the page, makes it clear that the "Freedom Act" is an act against the digital surveillance of US citizens, someone who had never heard of the Act, or someone skimming the page, would not gain a meaningful conclusion. I was unsure at first whether to support or decry the bill, and heck, the name even sounds like "Patriot Act." The title of the page itself does no help: it paints an ominous message in a severe tone. Marketing: it's important. Be clear. "The signals we give—yes, or no, or maybe— should be clear; the darkness around us is deep." William Stafford -- http://williamstafford.org/spoems/pages/ritual.html http://williamstafford.org/spoems/pages/ritual.html

xnxn 12y ago
> the "Freedom Act" is an act against the digital surveillance of US citizens This was a revelation to me, so I would have to agree. I'm ignorant of the subject and my initial reaction to a thing called the USA Freedom Act was "great, how are my rights about to be curtailed now?"
- 001sky 12y ago
  "Freedom act takes on Patriot act" --News at 11 Clear as mud.
ma2rten 12y ago
The first sentences are: "The USA Freedom Act, the leading contender for NSA reform, is set for a vote this week. The bill has some problems, but is a major step forward for surveillance reform. That's why we're asking you to call your Senator and urge them to support the USA Freedom Act." How much more clear do you want it?
- calinet6 12y ago
  A great deal.
- willidiots 12y ago
  I actually agree w/ OP, the message seemed totally unclear to me, and I never saw that initial sentence. I revisited the page and realized my eye was immediately drawn to the huge propaganda eagle, after which I jumped to the middle of the article and started skimming. Once again I missed the initial sentence. Had to intentionally look for it.
- burkaman 12y ago
  The point is to catch the eye of people who are just scanning the page. The first thing they'll see is the "TAKE ACTION NOW, Oppose NSA spying!" picture, which sort of leads you to believe this is another PATRIOT act or something. I can imagine someone seeing that, thinking "Not again, this stuff is endless, my senator never responds to my calls anyway", and closing the page. Obviously ideally people will read past the biggest font on the page, but that doesn't always happen.
- saraid216 12y ago
  The HN title, which is all I've read so far, leads me to believe this is another Patriot Act. Clicking through, it appears this is also the title of the article, so it's hardly HN trying to editorialize. Since I have enough information to determine that I don't want the Freedom Act to pass, why would I click through to the article?
  - worklogin 12y ago
    >The HN title, which is all I've read so far So you didn't read the article, which was the original complaint of the root comment. If you can't take 30 seconds to read about legislation that could significantly impact the power of the security state to spy on the American public, you're not doing your duty as a citizen.
    - saraid216 12y ago

xnxn 12y ago

> the "Freedom Act" is an act against the digital surveillance of US citizens This was a revelation to me, so I would have to agree. I'm ignorant of the subject and my initial reaction to a thing called the USA Freedom Act was "great, how are my rights about to be curtailed now?"

001sky 12y ago
"Freedom act takes on Patriot act" --News at 11 Clear as mud.

ma2rten 12y ago

The first sentences are: "The USA Freedom Act, the leading contender for NSA reform, is set for a vote this week. The bill has some problems, but is a major step forward for surveillance reform. That's why we're asking you to call your Senator and urge them to support the USA Freedom Act." How much more clear do you want it?

calinet6 12y ago
A great deal.
willidiots 12y ago
I actually agree w/ OP, the message seemed totally unclear to me, and I never saw that initial sentence. I revisited the page and realized my eye was immediately drawn to the huge propaganda eagle, after which I jumped to the middle of the article and started skimming. Once again I missed the initial sentence. Had to intentionally look for it.
burkaman 12y ago
The point is to catch the eye of people who are just scanning the page. The first thing they'll see is the "TAKE ACTION NOW, Oppose NSA spying!" picture, which sort of leads you to believe this is another PATRIOT act or something. I can imagine someone seeing that, thinking "Not again, this stuff is endless, my senator never responds to my calls anyway", and closing the page. Obviously ideally people will read past the biggest font on the page, but that doesn't always happen.
saraid216 12y ago
The HN title, which is all I've read so far, leads me to believe this is another Patriot Act. Clicking through, it appears this is also the title of the article, so it's hardly HN trying to editorialize. Since I have enough information to determine that I don't want the Freedom Act to pass, why would I click through to the article?
- worklogin 12y ago
  >The HN title, which is all I've read so far So you didn't read the article, which was the original complaint of the root comment. If you can't take 30 seconds to read about legislation that could significantly impact the power of the security state to spy on the American public, you're not doing your duty as a citizen.
  - saraid216 12y ago