Privacy and Surveillance: Quotes on How Government Surveillance Destroys Personal Freedom

Ammo.com ^ | 12/8/2020 | Brian Miller

[ammodotcom]

“Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage’s whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” – Ayn Rand, For the New Intellectual

“When we've got these people who have practically limitless powers within a society, if they get a pass without so much as a slap on the wrist, what example does that set for the next group of officials that come into power? To push the lines a little bit further, a little bit further, a little bit further, and we'll realize that we're no longer citizens – we're subjects.” – Edward Snowden, War on Whistleblowers

“There are no private lives. This is what Nixon found out. ‘Course he engineered it himself, with the tapes. This a most important aspect of modern life. As a science-fiction writer, dealing with the future, I want to deal with this. That one of the biggest transformations we have seen in human life in our society is the diminution of the sphere of the private. We must reasonably now all regard the fact that there are no secrets and nothing is private. Everything is public.” – Philip K. Dick, The Last Interview and Other Conversations

“These programs were never about terrorism: they're about economic spying, social control, and diplomatic manipulation. They're about power.” – Edward Snowden, Open letter to the people of Brazil

[elcid1970]

“Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage’s whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” – Ayn Rand

IIRC, it was Ayn Rand who also said that the movement toward a society of privacy began with the invention of the fireplace.

The individual no longer had to sit before the common bonfire to keep warm, but could repair to the privacy of his own heated abode.

And now in California the state monitors the temperatures of private homes.

[AnonymousConservative]

So can we assume you’ve seen it? It seems to reserve direct action for only the biggest threats like Michael Hastings.

And you’d be far from alone if you’ve seen it, if that helps.

http://www.anonymousconservative.com/blog/surveillance

[ammodotcom]

Sounds like something the old queen bird of libertarianism would say.

I always liked Douglas Adams’ take on civilization: That it is only possible with alcohol and indoor plumbing.

[elcid1970]

Heh, heh! To which I would add, the means of refrigeration.

The most advanced ancient cultures knew how to cut ice in winter and store it for use during the summer months.

Rome’s aqueducts flushed their streets as much as they provided potable water.

As for alcohol’s civilizing influence, I give you today’s Muslim world & its lack thereof.