> We are calling for a conversation around how the government uses that technology.
...
> If the Snowden revelations taught us anything, it’s that the government is in little danger of letting law hamstring its opportunistic use of technology. Nor is the executive branch shy about asking Congress for more leeway when hard-pressed. That’s how we got the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act, not to mention the impending changes to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 and the endless encryption “debate.”
I'd be worried that this would be mean that the conversation would be fruitless. The constituencies just won't hold Congress accountable because they don't understand or they don't care. Even though these events generate major headlines, I think most individuals think that it doesn't impact them, or that the only villains to be found are the ones in foreign states, but not ours. I kinda wish that Ars story about the corrupt DEA agents [1] were more publicized. It clearly illustrates the kind of damage that corrupt law enforcement can do. These are the same individuals who are able to summon the power of the Stingrays and similar technology.
> I'd be worried that this would be mean that the conversation would be fruitless. The constituencies just won't hold Congress accountable because they don't understand or they don't care.
In my opinion, this is the biggest issue. I'm more concerned that our democracy isn't functioning properly. Trust in the media is at an all-time low, conspiracy theories are flying left and right about everything, and now that some of them have been proven... the existing systems we have in place to change things... are not changing things. I don't get where we go from here.
Person in late 20s-early-30s in coastal California city (demo info given in anticipation of "out of touch old people"-type blaming followups): "What do you do?"
Me: "Computer software, internet stuff."
Them: "Oh, is that like that Snowden stuff? How are we going to prevent more people like him from leaking stuff?"
The EFF and such are generally awful at presenting their arguments in ways that are convincing to a general audience.
One of the effects of the generational differences in how we obtain our information about the world also impacts how we view current events in the world. The internet offers a much less filtered version. Unfortunately that means it also requires a higher degree of critical thinking.
Unfortunately, though, I think if your strategy is "hope people adjust their behavior on your own" then your sales pitch isn't going to be effective.
So if we want to change the status quo, how do we make it over that preaching-to-the-choir hump? (This sounds rhetorical, but it's more cynical/frustrated, actually - I don't have the answer.)
Stop saying "You disagree? You must be an idiot." to start. It's not always so explicit, of course, but it's pretty easy for a solid dose of scorn to slip into an argument that the true believers won't notice.
Another exercise is to try presenting (to yourself) the very best argument for the opposing side that you can. Now compare, is this the argument that you are refuting?
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> If the Snowden revelations taught us anything, it’s that the government is in little danger of letting law hamstring its opportunistic use of technology. Nor is the executive branch shy about asking Congress for more leeway when hard-pressed. That’s how we got the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act, not to mention the impending changes to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 and the endless encryption “debate.”
I'd be worried that this would be mean that the conversation would be fruitless. The constituencies just won't hold Congress accountable because they don't understand or they don't care. Even though these events generate major headlines, I think most individuals think that it doesn't impact them, or that the only villains to be found are the ones in foreign states, but not ours. I kinda wish that Ars story about the corrupt DEA agents [1] were more publicized. It clearly illustrates the kind of damage that corrupt law enforcement can do. These are the same individuals who are able to summon the power of the Stingrays and similar technology.
[1] http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/08/stealing-bitcoins...