"We’re building the infrastructure of repression while congratulating ourselves on avoiding the cruel excesses inherent in these systems."
Snowden's book points out that the government didn't originate a large part of the surveillance apparatus - they adopted what Big Tech was doing. And why did Big Tech get away with it - because we gave them everything they asked for as long as they gave us back - convenience.
I have felt the sting of this virtual ostracism when Amazon, out of the blue, deleted all of my book reviews on the basis of some nebulous “suspicious activity” charge. I protested but never got any answer from Amazon to explain this arbitrary behavior. All I can think of is that someone influential took umbrage at my review of Lawrence Solomon’s “The Deniers,” an Canadian investigative journalist's interviews with 36 scientists who are leaders in their respective fields who could not find evidence confirming the theory of man-made global warming. Fortunately I have kept copies of these book reviews.
Michael, your description of the insidious and invidious is a must-read for our fellow travelers. In this and many other posts of yours, I wish I had your writing skills.
"We’re building the infrastructure of repression while congratulating ourselves on avoiding the cruel excesses inherent in these systems."
Snowden's book points out that the government didn't originate a large part of the surveillance apparatus - they adopted what Big Tech was doing. And why did Big Tech get away with it - because we gave them everything they asked for as long as they gave us back - convenience.
Thou art a brave man, Mr. Smith.
The windmills have, indeed, been dragons all along.
"Every coercive collectivist regime..."
That would include these United States. It is the problem with ALL government that has the power to police. All of it is just a matter of degree.
I have felt the sting of this virtual ostracism when Amazon, out of the blue, deleted all of my book reviews on the basis of some nebulous “suspicious activity” charge. I protested but never got any answer from Amazon to explain this arbitrary behavior. All I can think of is that someone influential took umbrage at my review of Lawrence Solomon’s “The Deniers,” an Canadian investigative journalist's interviews with 36 scientists who are leaders in their respective fields who could not find evidence confirming the theory of man-made global warming. Fortunately I have kept copies of these book reviews.
Michael, your description of the insidious and invidious is a must-read for our fellow travelers. In this and many other posts of yours, I wish I had your writing skills.