05-16-2014, 07:31 AM
Good discussion, this. Ridem's choice is clear and he's happy with it, although not being an American I can't quite understand how "the basic life of love and trust" sits comfortably with a right to bear arms that "...trumps all laws".
Red Mist is on the money about the ease with which Internet companies gather information about us. There's a book called "Big Data" that discusses this and shows that there are benefits in aggregating large amounts of data and analyzing it. However, it also points to some of the risks and Edward Snowden's revaluations have shown the enthusiasm with which western governments have gone about tapping into that data—ostensibly for our own good. While "the innocent have nothing to fear" is another aphorism beloved of intrusive states, history tells us that sooner or later governments or some of their officials will misuse or abuse their power.
I'm not obsessive about privacy, but I also want to exercise some choice about what information I share and with whom. Those of you with a similar view should contemplate Red Mist's advice.
Red Mist is on the money about the ease with which Internet companies gather information about us. There's a book called "Big Data" that discusses this and shows that there are benefits in aggregating large amounts of data and analyzing it. However, it also points to some of the risks and Edward Snowden's revaluations have shown the enthusiasm with which western governments have gone about tapping into that data—ostensibly for our own good. While "the innocent have nothing to fear" is another aphorism beloved of intrusive states, history tells us that sooner or later governments or some of their officials will misuse or abuse their power.
I'm not obsessive about privacy, but I also want to exercise some choice about what information I share and with whom. Those of you with a similar view should contemplate Red Mist's advice.