I don’t think there are many Americans who know how much we are all under surveillance or appreciate the significance of it. The link gives a glimpse into our reality.
Something to consider in light of this topic is that every society and civilization develops an autocratic ruling class. This is as natural and as inevitable as the effects of our own DNA.
But where some autocracies become idealistic and courageous, like America’s Founders, others become dysfunctional.
It’s an open question, in my view, which kind of autocracy we are living under and where it is headed.
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Ah, allow me to add to your paranoia. During entry interviews by the security personnel at a well-known defense contractor and semi-conductor developer in the 1990s, I was asked about my professional and personal connections with foreign citizens. Included was a boiler plate lecture on industrial espionage — standard stuff, i.e., be wary of discussing work with foreigners and report all contact, even if it is strictly social, and incidental, e.g., a date, a conversation at a cocktail party, seated together in a plane, etc., etc. Report date, times, names, nationality, and such.
I lifted an eyebrow when the company’s security team said they were keenly interested in contacts with French and Israeli persons. They said that these two countries, not Russia, not China, were the top of the list at theft of intellectual property via espionage.
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RE: “I lifted an eyebrow when the company’s security team said they were keenly interested in contacts with French and Israeli persons. They said that these two countries, not Russia, not China, were the top of the list at theft of intellectual property via espionage.”
I don’t doubt you one single bit, based on my own experiences in defense contracting.
I am, however, fascinated by a paradox.
Secrecy and public surveillance are essential in the normal operation of society, but by their very nature they are exempt from democratic influence.
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A beautiful paradox… one that gave us Vietnam, and Nicaragua, Guatemala, San Salvador… in short our current border crisis.
BUT, on the bright side, they did give us LSD. Ah, but then, they screwed that up with crack cocaine, and heroin.
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This appears to be about the tech the government is considering for the HARPA discussed earlier this week.
And as you and I both stated, Mr.Roberts, not something to be in favor of.
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