[bduerst]

That HN comment you linked to is _still_ just a nightmare scenario.

If you read the article, you would see that they are lying about what happened. Even your question, based on incorrect information, is implying a slippery slope.

[DougN7]

Once the nightmare scenario arrives though, it's usually too late to do anything about it. Look how impossibly hard it is to stop the NSA from gathering all of the network traffic. I wouldn't doubt for a second that Kim Jung would use this against protesters (if North Koreans had social networking). Just this morning I heard on NPR about a group working on genetic modifications to make half-human, half-animal beings, apparently for organ harvest reasons. However you feel about that, nipping things in the bud is so much easier than trying to reverse history.

[bduerst]

Right, same with every other "sky is falling" argument.

The PRISM dark fiber exploit has since been blocked by most tech companies, and honestly, you're more likely to be negatively affected by slipping in your shower or a car accident. Doesn't mean don't be aware, it just means you don't need to wear a tinfoil hat. Or worry about hypothetical nightmare scenarios.

[parhurst]

What makes you think they are lying? Our view on the downsides of technology might be biased because we are (often, unless you're a moderator or a victim) sheltered from them[1]. [1] http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/13/11387934/internet-moderato... Edit: grammar

[bduerst]

They lied about persecution of gays and sex workers. The article was about a small group created to raise awareness about face recognition by trying to identify porn actresses, before closing entirely. Hardly a nightmare made real.

I'm also not sure how YouTube mods from 10+ years ago are relevant in a discussion about tech advancement. If anything, the automation of child porn detection since is proof that technology keeps up and prevents nightmare scenarios.

Also, why create the new account to question?