4 ms·

I hate to say it but I think the average person just doesn't care, even a lot of HNers don't really think it's a big deal. I personally think it's time for a re

by zxcvcxz 12y ago

I hate to say it but I think the average person just doesn't care, even a lot of HNers don't really think it's a big deal. I personally think it's time for a revolution or at least mass social upheaval. Politicians pretty much treat us like we're all mentally challenged, which, compared to Ivy league educated officials, I guess most of us are. But it really makes you wonder why such smart people just don't give a fuck.

wongarsu 12y ago
Well, what is the big deal? What is even the real news here? "NSA does intelligence gathering abroad"? "State founded malware uses known attack vectors to attack computers in countries the US doesn't like"? "NSA probably employs some programmers to write decent malware to infect selected targets"? It's interesting insight from a technical perspective, but apart from that, is it really surprising or upsetting? Some things about the NSA like Prism are genuinely upsetting, but I don't think this particular story is.
- free2rhyme214 12y ago
  I agree. Also the reality is that most of us are working hard trying to accomplish our own goals. As long as the central bankers and whoever else is in power doesn't turn up the heat too high too fast this isn't that relevant to most of us. We're all pretty aware they can get our data so this isn't surprising. Just search NSA on LinkedIn and you can see their army of programmers on there who care about real threats and not people who read hacker news.
raintrees 12y ago
Speaking from personal experience, it is not a comfortable experience to come to the realization that "the rules" do not apply to all or in the same way. The Bill of Rights and the US Constitution are romantic ideas, but at the focal point of the specific individual, they do not necessarily apply/get followed, and en masse, we end up with a corrupt governing system. Government is not a meritocracy. Humans game any system. And it usually makes sense to go for the most leverage/bang for your buck. If one is doing something that is unethical, legal or not, might as well go in for the whole enchilada. To specifically address your implied question, although I do not think I am all that smart, I am just trying to keep what little I have, improve the small area I live in, cherish the important people around me, and have time to learn new stuff. Railing against the current governing system threatens all of that, and in some cases, results in premature death. I seem to have settled for the Blue Pill. What is the verse from the third stanza of Queen's 'We Will Rock You?' Something like 'Old man trying to make you some peace some day...'
Galacticus 12y ago
You're angry and casting aspersions. Nothing more than displaying what you don't know. Yes, you're weak, and you are asking the wrong questions.

by zxcvcxz 12y ago

wongarsu 12y ago

Well, what is the big deal? What is even the real news here? "NSA does intelligence gathering abroad"? "State founded malware uses known attack vectors to attack computers in countries the US doesn't like"? "NSA probably employs some programmers to write decent malware to infect selected targets"? It's interesting insight from a technical perspective, but apart from that, is it really surprising or upsetting? Some things about the NSA like Prism are genuinely upsetting, but I don't think this particular story is.

free2rhyme214 12y ago
I agree. Also the reality is that most of us are working hard trying to accomplish our own goals. As long as the central bankers and whoever else is in power doesn't turn up the heat too high too fast this isn't that relevant to most of us. We're all pretty aware they can get our data so this isn't surprising. Just search NSA on LinkedIn and you can see their army of programmers on there who care about real threats and not people who read hacker news.

raintrees 12y ago

Speaking from personal experience, it is not a comfortable experience to come to the realization that "the rules" do not apply to all or in the same way. The Bill of Rights and the US Constitution are romantic ideas, but at the focal point of the specific individual, they do not necessarily apply/get followed, and en masse, we end up with a corrupt governing system. Government is not a meritocracy. Humans game any system. And it usually makes sense to go for the most leverage/bang for your buck. If one is doing something that is unethical, legal or not, might as well go in for the whole enchilada. To specifically address your implied question, although I do not think I am all that smart, I am just trying to keep what little I have, improve the small area I live in, cherish the important people around me, and have time to learn new stuff. Railing against the current governing system threatens all of that, and in some cases, results in premature death. I seem to have settled for the Blue Pill. What is the verse from the third stanza of Queen's 'We Will Rock You?' Something like 'Old man trying to make you some peace some day...'

Galacticus 12y ago

You're angry and casting aspersions. Nothing more than displaying what you don't know. Yes, you're weak, and you are asking the wrong questions.