Obama’s crackdown views leaks as aiding enemies of U.S.

[Colon™]

It's actually quite disconcerting to think how much we wouldn't know if it wasn't for those traitors and perverts..

Even though I have my issues with Snowden I wouldn't put him in the same class as that low-life Assange.

[DaShi]

I notice it most in the area of privacy. From pervasive CCTV (public and private) to near-strip searches at the airport to this latest phone tapping BS it just seems like we are all starting to become real life Truman Show's. You literally have to seal yourself off at home to attain some modicum of privacy these days (presuming no nanny cams or spying game systems are present).

For many privacy advocates, the biggest obstacle to privacy protection is the not CCTV and government inspections but Facebook and Twitter. It's that many people are too willing to share everything about themselves. Younger people, especially, have a very different view of privacy than older ones. They simply don't expect it.

[DaShi]

It's actually quite disconcerting to think how much we wouldn't know if it wasn't for those traitors and perverts..

I didn't need or want to know anything they have ever said.

[giblets]

I agree that there seems to be a lot less of a sense of community in the US than there once was. I wouldn't call it the creeping of the police state. The cop is holding his gun, not because he's exercising his authority over you, but because he doesn't trust that you don't have a gun at ready yourself. This creates more of a wild west, state of nature kind of society where you can't trust anything. Oddly, this is exactly the conservative dream...

A decline in trust doesn't make any sense given that people are generally less violent, not more, than they were thirty years ago. I think cops are just more inclined to behave in an authoritarian way by subduing civilians instead of treating them like equals.

[DaShi]

That's because you're paranoid, but that doesn't mean they are not out to get you.

[PLATO]

I agree that there seems to be a lot less of a sense of community in the US than there once was. I wouldn't call it the creeping of the police state. The cop is holding his gun, not because he's exercising his authority over you, but because he doesn't trust that you don't have a gun at ready yourself. This creates more of a wild west, state of nature kind of society where you can't trust anything.

Yes...I guess that could be it...a sense of community. It really does seem like an "us versus them" mentality though and it didn't use to be.

[DaShi]

It's not just cops though. People don't associate with their neighbors the same way they used to either.

[Wezil]

For many privacy advocates, the biggest obstacle to privacy protection is the not CCTV and government inspections but Facebook and Twitter. It's that many people are too willing to share everything about themselves. Younger people, especially, have a very different view of privacy than older ones. They simply don't expect it.

I agree completely. It's the voluntary surrender I was talking about earlier.

I have a cousin who complains incessantly about Facebook privacy concerns yet continues to post every facet of her life to Facebook (and Twitter). Doh!

[PLATO]

It's not just cops though. People don't associate with their neighbors the same way they used to either.

So very true! When I was growing up I got my ball (football, basketball, baseball & glove...depending on season) and hit the door to go find something to do. My kids got home from school and hopped on the ninetendo or computer and practically barricaded themselves in their rooms. I would have sent them out, but all the other kids in the neighborhood were barricaded as well. Consequently, I never met many other parents unless it was at baseball practice.

We have become a nation of individuals instead of a nation of communities in many ways. Still, modern policing does not lend itself to helping foster community either. Police used to try and guide young people...now they just try to contain them.

[kentonio]

Even though I have my issues with Snowden I wouldn't put him in the same class as that low-life Assange.

I always thought Assange was an *******, but it's important to separate the act from the actor.

Yes...I guess that could be it...a sense of community. It really does seem like an "us versus them" mentality though and it didn't use to be.

Community never disappeared, it just moved and the world hasn't completely caught up yet. Our social networks are so much wider than they ever were now, so you're not dependent on the people living near you for friendship and support. It's usually painted as a negative thing, and it does have negative effects on how we live, but there are also huge positives to having basically the entire world to choose your friends and support network from.

[DaShi]

Well, I certainly don't want to defend abuse of authority by police, but I don't want to paint them all with one brush either. I do agree that police do seem a lot less approachable these days then they were when I was younger as well.

[DaShi]

Community never disappeared, it just moved and the world hasn't completely caught up yet. Our social networks are so much wider than they ever were now, so you're not dependent on the people living near you for friendship and support. It's usually painted as a negative thing, and it does have negative effects on how we live, but there are also huge positives to having basically the entire world to choose your friends and support network from.

Friends with furriners? Not in my backyard!

[PLATO]

Community never disappeared, it just moved and the world hasn't completely caught up yet. Our social networks are so much wider than they ever were now, so you're not dependent on the people living near you for friendship and support. It's usually painted as a negative thing, and it does have negative effects on how we live, but there are also huge positives to having basically the entire world to choose your friends and support network from.

Good point. I sincerely doubt we would have had any conversation between us 30 years ago my English friend.

[PLATO]

Friends with furriners? Not in my backyard!

You ain't from round here, is ya? Hmmm...where's my shotgun?

[kentonio]

Good point. I sincerely doubt we would have had any conversation between us 30 years ago my English friend.

Indeed.

There was an episode of My Name Is Earl that covered this quite nicely. A youngish nerdy guy dies in his apartment, and it seems he's a complete loner with no-one to mourn him. As they investigate they discover he actually has a huge network of people who care deeply about him but that are spread all around the world.