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Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 09:16 AM Jun 2013

Tweeting toward Dystopia

The concept of Utopia has been cancelled. Orwell’s world, in which no whisper or movement goes unrecorded, is upon us.

Those who watch us and listen to us, do so for the purpose of enhancing their own control, power, and ultimately, their ownership of us. At one time, the “terrorists” were called “communists,” and before that they were called “anarchists.” There has never been a shortage of “ists” to distract the peasants from those who seek absolute power.

We have lost a major battle in the war for personal freedoms. We have lost, for now, the right to be left alone. And until we can find a way to once again communicate with each other anonymously, it will be difficult to regain lost ground.

Many are indifferent to the vast information-collecting machine that has invaded every niche of our world. I fear that indifference may turn into love of Big Brother. Nonetheless, we are in a very bad place right now. And there is seemingly no exit.

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Tweeting toward Dystopia (Original Post) Cyrano Jun 2013 OP
Just recognize that we liberals gave the keys to the country to the federal government. Buzz Clik Jun 2013 #1
Who knew? Cyrano Jun 2013 #2
What a concept... Buzz Clik Jun 2013 #3
We HAVE the ability to communicate anonymously: Squinch Jun 2013 #4
What a concept! tblue Jun 2013 #5
....well... Squinch Jun 2013 #6
Well, it's not always practical when Cyrano Jun 2013 #7
I don't think practicality is the issue. I think it depends on Squinch Jun 2013 #8
"NSA footprint." Good phrase, but Cyrano Jun 2013 #9
I agree that it is almost impossible to completely drop off, Squinch Jun 2013 #10
 

Buzz Clik

(38,437 posts)
1. Just recognize that we liberals gave the keys to the country to the federal government.
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 09:22 AM
Jun 2013

It was what we wanted.

No, we don't like it any more.

Squinch

(50,949 posts)
4. We HAVE the ability to communicate anonymously:
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 09:33 AM
Jun 2013

unplug, see people face to face, put pen to paper, eschew "social media" (you won't really miss anything.)

If their ownership of the technology we use to communicate puts us at a disadvantage, change the way you communicate.

Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
7. Well, it's not always practical when
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 10:02 AM
Jun 2013

one doesn't live near friends and family. Even smoke signals and semiphore flags are useless if the distance is great.

Squinch

(50,949 posts)
8. I don't think practicality is the issue. I think it depends on
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 10:09 AM
Jun 2013

how strongly you feel about the intrusion. If you feel strongly, you can drastically reduce it.

I didn't even own a computer till I was in my late 20's. I maintained relationships with people who were all over the country. It can be done. It is not convenient, but if you feel strongly, which you seem to, and I think you are right to, then it is worth considering reducing your "NSA footprint." (Did I just coin a phrase?)

Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
9. "NSA footprint." Good phrase, but
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 10:35 AM
Jun 2013

nearly impossible to avoid. Land-line phones, snail mail, credit/debit cards, drivers licenses, social security numbers, taxes, etc. And let's not forget the facial recognition databases that are being created. It's getting harder all the time to "drop off the grid."

Squinch

(50,949 posts)
10. I agree that it is almost impossible to completely drop off,
Sun Jun 23, 2013, 10:44 AM
Jun 2013

but that has been true since Social Security numbers were first brought into wide use. This latest scare concerns phone and internet use and I think you can limit that exposure.

PS. It turns out I didn't coin the phrase. I googled it, and another DUer used the phrase and had an interesting take on it that didn't get much notice:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023022215

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