I forget who wrote this on their blog, but someone brought up the point that although the discussion was quite lively and enjoyable at times, it failed to actually discuss one point. There was no central argument. I believe that people learn more (and more effectively) if they are forced to investigate all sides of an issue and debate it rather than just saying anything that is even slightly related to the topic. I am not saying that the entire class was chaotic but it felt as though the central issues were constantly being ignored in favor of comments designed to evoke specific responses from classmates (with whom you may or may not agree with).
Response to the class discussion and this blog and its comment.
Firstly, the post itself is contradictory. You initially state, "according to my interpretation of the constitution this taking of my information...is a breach of my personal privacy and should not be done." However, you continue to say that governmental monitoring policies such as the Patriot Act are acceptable because you feel that you have done nothing wrong. I understand that you may agree with the terms of the Patriot Act but to agree with it simply because you believe it does not apply to you is well, not good enough. The prevailing counter argument to both private and governmental monitoring in class has been exactly that. People have said that they agree or have no opinion on data mining because they believe it has no effect upon them. The "I have nothing to hide" argument. To every person who uses that argument, I have to say that any method that restricts personal freedoms (even if you personally are not directly affected) is WRONG. If people believe that the physical invasion of privacy is immoral then why is the technological equivalent acceptable? Why does the government need permission to go through the papers on your desk but the your files on the internet are fair game? It is the SAME THING. If you believe the internet is a completely open area and that you have nothing to hide then would you have a problem with anyone accessing your credit card numbers? bank account numbers? pictures of your children? Why is it okay for individuals, companies, governments to have access to the your most important data, the numbers ones that make up your IDENTITY?
WHY?
1 comment:
Just because one feels they have nothing to hide, doesn't mean they don't. Maybe people don't realize how something can be used against them many years into the future.
Why can't the laws of the Internet apply in the real world. If it's wrong to breach privacy here, I agree with you that it should be wrong there. Why are the two separate when they continue to affect each other? If they are separate they shouldn't be able to do that to the extent we have now.
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