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You may find a world where every company reads your email.

William - Act One of this episode of This American Life may be of interest (http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/497/this-week). It doesn't make an argument one way or the other, but does approach it from the "So what?" perspective.

I'm slightly worried, you may have missed my point?

No, I got your point, I enjoyed the fact that I disagreed with it and wrote "this" as a joke.

Is it not in their interests to hide their homosexuality from authorities until such time as their governments are not full of backwards cretins?

You seem to have forgotten to include your website url? I thought you were promoting your art? You have a perfect opportunity here and yet you choose not to post it? Why is this?

Williamwyld.com I thought you were joking. I have taken a year or two out from painting to write.

This. I'm sure all those Nigerians have nothing to fear from their government spying on them looking for signs of private, hidden homosexuality. Nothing at all. Completely safe.

Good point. But I was talking about the US government, the specific technology they were using, and my reaction to the particular media shitstorm surrounding it at the moment. It is true that these methods could be used as tools to further supress Homosexuals.

Whats this big thing with your DOB?

I like the tree

If the US government is using a specific technology then it's almost certainly being provided by a defence contractor (Lockheed Martin/Raytheon/etc/etc) who would be more than happy to sell (a lightly crippled and back-doored) version to other nation's security services.

i.e. Nigeria and so forth.

Better yet, if the US government, that paragon of enlightenment and democracy, is doing it, why shouldn't any other government? It's obviously been proven to be responsible, respectable, and appropriate.

Just like if Robert Mugabe wants to murder his own citizens, for eg, we shouldn't let it bother us since he's not part of our government, so it doesn't really matter.

There is no need to make condescending, superscilious comments about my ignorance or my struthian comfort. It undermines the point you are trying to make and lowers the tone of the discussion.
Perhaps a less naive attitude might attract a less condescending response?

Although I note that you are more than capable of trying to patronise.

William - Act One of this episode of This American Life may be of interest (http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/497/this-week). It doesn't make an argument one way or the other, but does approach it from the "So what?" perspective.

I feel empathy for these people, being monitored is undoubtably an infringement on your freedom. I think I am able to take the position I do because of the kind of life I live, and the values I have. I am lucky that my line of work and the circles I move in does not attract this kind of attention. I also empathise with a comment one of the men made:

"I dont see how you can live a normal life if you are always looking over your shoulder"

At dammit ^^^

I don't think it's the technology that's the issue.

It's the fact they are lying to congress and the people about what's being collected and how it's used. As that article with the guy who's letters are photo'd shows, it doesn't take millions of dollars to snoop.

Good point. But I was talking about the US government, the specific technology they were using, and my reaction to the particular media shitstorm surrounding it at the moment. It is true that these methods could be used as tools to further supress Homosexuals.

How long before anti-sodomy laws are reimplemented in some US States?

Your viewpoint is rooted in ignorance. It is predicated on the world that you know.

Your bounds on the acceptability of mass state-sponsored surveillance, as soon as they are challenged, seem a little less reasonable.

I think I am able to take the position I do because of the kind of life I live, and the values I have. I am lucky that my line of work and the circles I move in does not attract this kind of attention.
Well yes - you do, and you are.

And that is a naive view.

Because how you live, and the values you have, and the circles you move in, do not currently attract this kind of attention.

For the moment.

But once the machinery is in place, it's not going anywhere. And who's to say what successive regimes find acceptable?

^I'm not going to spend my time worrying and being paranoid. No thanks.

Perhaps a less naive attitude might attract a less condescending response?

Although I note that you are more than capable of trying to patronise.

That's just more of the same from you really, isn't it? I'm glad of the opportunity to gain insights from others here, and possibly adjust my views. It is possible to impart knowledge without trying to belittle the recipient. I apologise if I have come across as patronising.

That's just more of the same from you really, isn't it? I'm glad of the opportunity to gain insights from others here, and possibly adjust my views. It is possible to impart knowledge without trying to belittle the recipient. I apologise if I have come across as patronising.
Don't take it too seriously - I don't mean to be a complete douche.

Just a bit of one.

No worries. Peace.

^I'm not going to spend my time worrying and being paranoid. No thanks.

This shows a touching degree of trust in authority that artists have not traditionally been known for. Or has the arts world changed so much in recent years?

Williamwyld.com I thought you were joking. I have taken a year or two out from painting to write.

Good point. But I was talking about the US government, the specific technology they were using, and my reaction to the particular media shitstorm surrounding it at the moment. It is true that these methods could be used as tools to further supress Homosexuals.

Problem is it's not just the US government, it's GCHQ as well - that's you and me.

Williamwyld.com (wikipedia says you died in Paris a few years ago - sorry about that)

But now I know where you live or work, your email, your phone number, your age, your email. With a bit of social engineering I could probably get a bunch of your bank details or council tax details or electricity/gas details or whatever. With a bit of googling I can probably find everywhere you've been in the last 10 years, befriend you on facebook, stalk the crap out of you. This is the easy stuff any muppet could do. Imagine what the government can do.

^I'm not going to spend my time worrying and being paranoid. No thanks.

.

At dammit ^^^
I don't think it's the technology that's the issue.
It's the fact they are lying to congress and the people about what's being collected and how it's used. As that article with the guy who's letters are photo'd shows, it doesn't take millions of dollars to snoop.

This is the other thing - these secret organisations are doing this without any controls. What happens when they start abusing the system? Scratch that, they ARE abusing the system, but what happens when they decide to target people who aren't terror suspects? What's stopping someone at MI5 from tracking down witnesses or ex-girlfriends or whatever the hell they wanted to do?

i'm not anyone's ex-girlfriend so i have nothing to hide...

You mean we're still an item?

Sweet.

This shows a touching degree of trust in authority that artists have not traditionally been known for. Or has the arts world changed so much in recent years?

I dont trust the authorities, or distrust them. I dont think about them. I think about sunlight and jokes and my bicycle and about how people think, and why they get angry, or sad. I just sort of bugger about in blissful ignorance. Alot of artists are like that, it is often quite nescessary.

Don't worry, other people will keep the authorities in check for you.

You mean we're still an item?

Sweet.

fo sho'

lmnh this eve for cuddles and banter?

I dont trust the authorities, or distrust them. I dont think about them. I think about sunlight and jokes and my bicycle and about how people think, and why they get angry, or sad. I just sort of bugger about in blissful ignorance. Alot of artists are like that, it is often quite nescessary.

Okay, you're trolling.

Or, and I think this is more likely, he is an NSA plant.

Probably a begonia.